avastin

Is it required to have a urine test done before each treatment with avastin.

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Using Bevacizumab (Avastin) can lead to the development of nephrotic syndrome, which has  spillage of protein in the urine as one of its symptoms.  When the amount of protein spillage exceeds 2 grams per 24 hours, this drug should be withheld.  Doing a urinalysis to test for urine protein is not strictly required before each treatment with Avastin, particularly if the patient has not had any evidence of protein spillage during previous cycles where this drug was used.  However, if the patient has significant amounts of urine protein on previous chemotherapy cycles, this has to be monitored by doing repeated urine testing, so that the oncologist can determine if the urine protein levels are high enough (greater than 2 grams over 24 hours) to consider stopping Avastin.