Mvasi™ is a biosimilar to Avastin® (bevacizumab) and like Avastin, it is approved to treat adults with certain types of brain, kidney, cervical, colorectal, ovarian, and lung cancers. Specifically, in lung cancer, Mvasi is approved to treat non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in combination with the chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel for first-line treatment of tumors that cannot be operated on (unresectable), are locally advanced, or recurrent or metastatic (has spread to other parts of the body) disease.1
What are the ingredients in Mvasi?
Mvasi is a biosimilar to bevacizumab. It is a targeted therapy that is classified as a monoclonal antibody.1,2
How does Mvasi work?
Like Avastin, Mvasi is a recombinant immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). By blocking VEGF, Mvasi inhibits the growth of new blood vessels, which are necessary for the growth of solid tumors.1,3
What are the possible side effects?
In clinical trials, the most common side effects experienced by people receiving Mvasi included nose bleeds (epistaxis), headache, high blood pressure (hypertension), inflammation of the nasal cavity (rhinitis), high levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria), taste alteration, dry skin, bleeding (hemorrhage), excessive tear production (lacrimation disorder), back pain and skin irritation (exfoliative dermatitis).1
Some people taking Mvasi have experienced serious side effects such as:
- Perforation (holes) in the gastrointestinal tract
- Surgery and wound healing complications
- Hemorrhage (severe bleeding), which may include pulmonary (lungs), gastrointestinal, central nervous system, or vaginal bleeding and may be fatal1
Other serious side effects that may occur with Mvasi include holes in or abnormal connection between two organs (perforation or fistula), blood clot formation (arterial and venous thromboembolic events), hypertension, problems in brain function or structure (posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome), high levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria), infusion-related reactions and loss of function of the ovaries (ovarian failure). Mvasi should be discontinued if certain of these side effects occur or if these side effects become life-threatening.1 This is not an exhaustive list of all potential side effects of Mvasi. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist for further information.
Other things to know
If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, talk with your doctor. Mvasi can cause harm to a developing fetus and should not be given to women who are pregnant. While receiving Mvasi, females who can become pregnant should use contraceptives during treatment and for a period of time after completing treatment (patients should discuss appropriate birth control methods, and how long they need to use them, with their doctor). Additionally, Mvasi may impair fertility. Females should not breastfeed during Mvasi treatment and for a period of time following the final dose (patients should discuss breastfeeding considerations with their doctor).1
Tell your doctor if you are having surgery soon. Receiving this medication soon before or after surgery may interfere with the way wounds heal.1 Tell your doctor about all health conditions, medications (prescription and over-the-counter), and health history when discussing Mvasi as a treatment option.
Mvasi is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. Patients should talk to their doctor if they have any questions, or if they have questions regarding their Mvasi regimen.1
For more information, read the full prescribing information for Mvasi.