Wondering about Avastin

[wadeover]

My mom is currently in a clinical trial at Duke University for Avastin.  It is a Phase III trial - so it is the final trial for the drug.  I've seen several posts talking about the terrible side effects of Avastin.  Can anyone fill me in on these?  I've read all the data and have spoken to the people at Duke in charge of the trial and so far, I've not seen anything that is really terrible.  She will be in treatment for 15 months  because of the Avastin (she began it with her 2nd chemo - there will be 6 chemos and then only Avastin after that).  So far she is doing quite well - after her 3rd chemo her ca125 is down to 22 after a pre-chemo number of 451.  Her MRI done this past Monday was clear of any signs of cancer.  She was diagnoised with Stage IIIC and had the full surgery including removal of ovaries, omentum, part of her rectum, colon, and intestine.  The doctor said he was able to do an optimal debulking.  She is 72 and is one of 100 women at Duke who will be in the Avastin trial.  What do ya'll think about this new treatment?

[chopps]

A related discussion, Avastin/ovarian cancer/chemo was started.

[onniebay]

I'm being seen at Duke too.  I had no idea they were doing this trial.  My child's instructor at Little Gym has a friend doing a Duke trial too.  I'm wondering if this is for Avastin.  She is currently in maintance.  She has stage4 and is currently NED.  Which oncolgist is your mom seeing?  

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,
I could not have said it any better than "ILoveMyWifeForever"
thank you!

[Sunes]

The website is: http: // www. cancerdecisions. com: 80/021708.html
gives specific information about AVASTIN.....Dr Ralph Moss pHD, has a legit report about this drug.

[ILoveMyWifeForever]

It sounds like your mom is doing really well -- that is great news!

The most serious potential side effect of Avastin that was seen in some earlier trials is intestinal perforation.  However, the views I have read regarding this side effect are that the patients who had perforations were generally ones who had been heavily pre-treated with other chemotherapies.  The risk is not zero by any means, but many folks would agree that the potential benefits outweigh the risks.  This is a decision each patient must make using her own value system, of course.

I think in the trial your mom is on (if it is the same one I am familiar with), there are 3 arms:

1) Carbo/Taxol + Avastin after 2nd treatment, with maintenance Avastin for extended period afterwards
2) Carbo/Taxol + Avastin after 2nd treatment, with placebo for extended period
3) Carbo/Taxol + placebo after 2nd treatment, with placebo for extended period

So the patient has a 66% chance of getting Avastin during the initial treatments and a 33% chance of getting it during the maintenance period.  The trial is double-blind so neither your mom nor her doctors will know which arm she is on.

There are 2 good things about this trial in my opinion . . . first, the patient gets the "standard" carbo/taxol no matter what, so they are getting good care even if they end up getting the placebo.  Second, Avastin has been shown to be pretty effective even as a mono-therapy agent in some earlier trials, so if the patient ends up getting Avastin instead of placebo it could be a very good thing for her.

Best wishes and prayers for your mom!