title: Managing patients with metastatic colorectal cancer on bevacizumab.
abstract: Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits the activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key molecule controlling tumour blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). By inhibiting VEGF and thus tumour angiogenesis, bevacizumab inhibits tumour growth and survival. In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), first-line use of bevacizumab in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy improves outcomes compared with chemotherapy alone. The side-effect profile of bevacizumab does not overlap with that of conventional chemotherapy, and it does not significantly exacerbate chemotherapy-induced adverse events. Specific side-effects of special interest for bevacizumab include hypertension, proteinuria, arterial thromboembolic events, wound-healing complications, bleeding events and gastrointestinal perforation. Oncology nurses are key to early recognition and management of side-effects, in addition to having a key role in patient education, facilitating the optimal use of bevacizumab and thus survival of patients with metastatic CRC.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Department of Digestive Oncology, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Liesbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lemmens
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Claes
authors.forename: Maggie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uzzell
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab