Bevacizumab

Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), limiting blood-vessel growth. It is used to treat several cancers and certain eye diseases.

Vascular endothelial growth factor: Vascular endothelial growth factors are signaling proteins that promote blood-vessel formation and regulate vascular function. Bevacizumab binds VEGF-A, preventing it from activating its receptors.
Colorectal cancer: Colorectal cancer is cancer arising in the colon or rectum. Bevacizumab is combined with chemotherapy for some advanced cases.
Monoclonal antibody: A monoclonal antibody is a laboratory-produced protein designed to bind a specific molecular target. Bevacizumab is an antibody engineered to recognize VEGF-A.
Aflibercept: Aflibercept is a fusion protein that traps VEGF and related growth factors. It suppresses VEGF signaling through a soluble decoy receptor rather than an antibody.
Angiogenesis: Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from existing vessels. Bevacizumab is designed to suppress angiogenesis by blocking VEGF-A.
Non-small-cell lung cancer: Non-small-cell lung cancer is a group of lung cancers that includes adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Bevacizumab is used with selected regimens for certain advanced cases.
Immunoglobulin G: Immunoglobulin G is the most abundant antibody class in human blood and extracellular fluid. Bevacizumab is an IgG antibody with a humanized structure.
Axitinib: Axitinib is an oral small-molecule inhibitor of several vascular endothelial growth factor receptors. It blocks receptor kinase activity inside cells, unlike bevacizumab's extracellular ligand binding.
VEGF receptor: VEGF receptors are cell-surface proteins that transmit signals from vascular endothelial growth factors. Blocking VEGF-A prevents it from stimulating these receptors.
Glioblastoma: Glioblastoma is an aggressive malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Bevacizumab can reduce edema and disease-related symptoms in recurrent cases.

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