What is FOLFIRI and Avastin?
uh-VAS-tin REH-jih-men) A chemotherapy combination used as an initial treatment of colorectal cancer that has spread. It includes the drugs leucovorin (folinic acid), fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride, and bevacizumab.
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What kind of cancer is Avastin used for?
A: Avastin is approved for the treatment of cancer of the colon or rectum that has spread to other parts of the body. It must be given along with chemotherapy that includes a drug called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or capecitabine (Xeloda).
How many cycles of FOLFIRI can you have?
You have FOLFIRI chemotherapy as cycles of treatment. This means that you have the drug and then a rest to allow your body to recover. Each cycle of treatment lasts 2 weeks (14 days). Depending on your needs, you may have up to 12 cycles, taking up to 6 months in total.
Does FOLFIRI shrink tumors?
Goals of therapy:
FOLFIRI is given to shrink tumors and decrease symptoms of metastatic colon cancer and is not commonly given with the goal of cure.
What is the success rate of Avastin?
Results : Of 133 patients, 106 (80%) achieved treatment stability on Avastin.
How effective is FOLFIRI chemotherapy?
Phase III trials comparing the two regimens demonstrated that both FOLFOX and FOLFIRI provided similar response rates of 54% to 56%, as well as similar PFS rates of 8 months to 8.5 months, respectively10. The FOLFIRI regimen did produce more adverse side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, and neutropenia.
How long does Avastin prolong life?
A second study that tested Avastin as initial therapy with radiation and the drug Temodar found it did not prolong life, but patients on Avastin went nearly five months longer before their tumors appeared to worsen.
When do FOLFIRI side effects start?
Nausea and vomiting is common with FOLFIRI treatment. It is usually the worst in the first 12 to 48 hours after treatment and often gets better in 3 to 7 days. You will be given a prescription for medicine to take before your chemotherapy treatment to prevent nausea and vomiting.
Do you lose your hair on FOLFIRI?
In 100 people receiving FOLFIRI (Leucovorin, 5-Fluorouracil, Irinotecan), more than 20 and up to 100 may have: Hair loss. Redness, pain or peeling of palms and soles.
Is Avastin a last resort?
For this use, Avastin is used as a first-line treatment. (With first-line treatment, it’s the first drug given to treat the condition.) It’s given in combination with two chemotherapy drugs called carboplatin and paclitaxel.
How many rounds of Avastin can you have?
And you keep taking Avastin as long as your disease is controlled and your side effects are manageable, up to 22 cycles. By continuing to take Avastin, you may be able to continue to control your cancer.