Avastin (bevacizumab) is a type of chemotherapy treatment
that slows tumor growth by blocking the protein that is responsible for forming
new blood vessels, which is what tumors need to thrive. By blocking these blood
vessels, tumor growth is slowed. For those suffering from mesothelioma,
hindering tumor growth can greatly improve the quality of life of a patient as
symptoms of this aggressive disease are lessened.
A recent study published in the Clinical Cancer Research noted that after a Phase III clinical
trial, Avastin, when used in conjunction with cisplatin and pemetrexed for
those with malignant pleural mesothelioma, not only improved survival rates on
average by three months, but also helped manage pain, specifically pain
association with peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy
and Mesothelioma
Peripheral neuropathy is a common medical condition
(affecting about 3 million people each year in the United States) where damaged
nerves cause numbness, weakness, and general pain typically in the hands and
the feet
Symptoms
Symptoms of neuropathy vary depending on which nerves are
affected, but chemotherapy often affects the peripheral nerves, which are
nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Some symptoms are as follows:
- Muscle weakness
- Sensitivity to touch
- Gradual onset of numbness
- Sharp or throbbing pain
A 2014 study published in the Asian
Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention found that 90 percent of patients
who receive chemotherapy experience peripheral neuropathy.
Between 2008 and 2014, 448 patients were examined in the IFCT-GFPC-0701
MAPS Phase III clinical trial regarding the addition of bevacizumab to
cisplatin plus pemetrexed, which is the first line chemo treatment for those suffering from mesothelioma.
Health related quality of life was measured every nine weeks until disease
progression. Results showed that with the addition of Avastin, deterioration-
free survival time increased to more than a year.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network already recommends
including Avastin as part of the treatment plan but the FDA has not approved it
for mesothelioma because of some of the side effects it can have with other
cancers.
With the positive results from the Phase III clinical trial this
treatment could be added to chemotherapy regimen for those with pleural mesothelioma
who qualify.
Source:
Guillaume, Eberst, et. al.
“Health-related Quality of Life Impact from Adding Bevacizumab to
Cisplatin-Pemetrexed in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in the MAPS
IFCT-GFPC-0701 Phase III Trial,” Clinical Cancer Research (June 2019). [Link]