Avastin

Hi Gab ,

Yes Avastin is an immunotherapy. It is an antibody that blocks VEGF, the factor that allows blood vessels to grow in the tumours to provide cells with nutrients. It is often given in combination with chemotherapy, including Lonsurf, but I believe is can also be administered on its own. You can access the prescribing information on avastin_prescribing.pdf I have been on Avastin/Lonsurf treatment since last November (about 6 full cycles) and have tolerated it well. I do have to have injections to boost my neutrophils though, otherwise they drop too low. After 2 cycles all my lung mets had shrunk, except one that had remained stable (I have 13 in total) and my single liver met had also reduced. I had however done a 12-day water fast along with the treatment. My latest scan from March 31st show stable disease, with no new sites or progression but no further shrinkage either. I've always carried on working through previous chemo (FOLFOX and FOLFIRI) but this time I decided to take some time off and I am feeling really good, exercising a lot and no side effects really, apart from very soft nails, which keep bending and breaking. 

Hope that helps,

Cecile 

Hi Cecile, 

Interesting, yeah I'm aware of much that you said but my oncologist keeps saying it's a biotherapy, hmmmmm. Also, I did Folfox, which failed due to increased rumors, but Folfiri/ Avastin worked great, actually only avastin worked. Before surgery they stopped Avastin and with only Folfiri they grew again. I wanted to do onlyAvastin this time but now they included Lonsurf is a3rd/4th line treatment while mine is supposed to be 2nd line. Hmmmmm, it's not so nice going thru this in Italy, but an unmpressive system at best.