Avastin (Bevacizumab) for Endometrial Cancer

Overview
Avastin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating various cancers, including advanced colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and others. As of November 2024, it is not FDA-approved specifically for endometrial cancer, but health care providers may prescribe the drug “off-label” for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with other therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies. Avastin is also known by its drug name, bevacizumab.

Avastin is a biologic and belongs to a class of drugs called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. It works by blocking VEGF, a protein that stimulates the formation of blood vessels. By inhibiting VEGF, Avastin reduces the blood supply to tumors, which can help slow their growth or stabilize the disease. When combined with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, these additional treatments may enhance tumor suppression by attacking the cancer through multiple mechanisms, such as damaging DNA, boosting the immune response, or inhibiting key pathways for tumor survival.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Avastin is administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion. For endometrial cancer, infusions are typically given every three weeks, but this may vary based on individual circumstances. The drug is prepared and diluted by medical professionals before infusion. Avastin should always be administered exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Avastin include epistaxis (nosebleeds), headache, hypertension (high blood pressure), rhinitis (nasal inflammation), proteinuria (excess protein in urine), taste alteration, dry skin, hemorrhage (bleeding), lacrimation disorder (excessive or abnormal tearing), back pain, and exfoliative dermatitis (skin peeling).

Rare but serious side effects may include gastrointestinal perforations (holes in the stomach or intestines), severe bleeding, blood clots, hypertensive crises, heart failure, kidney damage, and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (a neurological disorder). It may also cause harm to an unborn fetus.

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Label: Avastin — Bevacizumab Injection, Solution — DailyMed

Bevacizumab in Advanced Endometrial Cancer — Gynecologic Oncology