Avastin

SIDE EFFECTS

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:

• Gastrointestinal Perforations and Fistulae [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Surgery and Wound Healing Complications [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Hemorrhage [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Arterial Thromboembolic Events [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Venous Thromboembolic Events [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Hypertension [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Renal Injury and Proteinuria [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Infusion-Related Reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Ovarian Failure [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
• Congestive Heart Failure [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The safety data in Warnings and Precautions and described below reflect exposure to Avastin in 4463 patients including those with mCRC (AVF2107g, E3200), non-squamous NSCLC (E4599), GBM (EORTC 26101), mRCC (BO17705), cervical cancer (GOG-0240), epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer (MO22224, AVF4095, GOG-0213, and GOG-0218), or HCC (IMbrave150) at the recommended dose and schedule for a median of 6 to 23 doses. The most common adverse reactions observed in patients receiving Avastin as a single agent or in combination with other anti-cancer therapies at a rate >10% were epistaxis, headache, hypertension, rhinitis, proteinuria, taste alteration, dry skin, hemorrhage, lacrimation disorder, back pain, and exfoliative dermatitis.

Across clinical studies, Avastin was discontinued in 8% to 22% of patients because of adverse reactions [see Clinical Studies].

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

In Combination with bolus-IFL

The safety of Avastin was evaluated in 392 patients who received at least one dose of Avastin in a double-blind, active-controlled study (AVF2107g), which compared Avastin (5 mg/kg every 2 weeks) with bolus-IFL to placebo with bolus-IFL in patients with mCRC [see Clinical Studies]. Patients were randomized (1:1:1) to placebo with bolus-IFL, Avastin with bolus-IFL, or Avastin with fluorouracil and leucovorin. The demographics of the safety population were similar to the demographics of the efficacy population. All Grades 3−4 adverse reactions and selected Grades 1−2 adverse reactions (i.e., hypertension, proteinuria, thromboembolic events) were collected in the entire study population. Adverse reactions are presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Grades 3-4 Adverse Reactions Occurring at Higher Incidence (≥2%) in Patients Receiving Avastin vs. Placebo in Study AVF2107g

In Combination with FOLFOX4

The safety of Avastin was evaluated in 521 patients in an open-label, active-controlled study (E3200) in patients who were previously treated with irinotecan and fluorouracil for initial therapy for mCRC. Patients were randomized (1:1:1) to FOLFOX4, Avastin (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks prior to FOLFOX4 on Day 1) with FOLFOX4, or Avastin alone (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks). Avastin was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

The demographics of the safety population were similar to the demographics of the efficacy population.

Selected Grades 3−5 non-hematologic and Grades 4−5 hematologic occurring at a higher incidence (≥2%) in patients receiving Avastin with FOLFOX4 compared to FOLFOX4 alone were fatigue (19% vs. 13%), diarrhea (18% vs. 13%), sensory neuropathy (17% vs. 9%), nausea (12% vs. 5%), vomiting (11% vs. 4%), dehydration (10% vs. 5%), hypertension (9% vs. 2%), abdominal pain (8% vs. 5%), hemorrhage (5% vs. 1%), other neurological (5% vs. 3%), ileus (4% vs. 1%) and headache (3% vs. 0%). These data are likely to under-estimate the true adverse reaction rates due to the reporting mechanisms.

First-Line Non Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The safety of Avastin was evaluated as first-line treatment in 422 patients with unresectable NSCLC who received at least one dose of Avastin in an active-controlled, open-label, multicenter trial (E4599) [see Clinical Studies]. Chemotherapy naïve patients with locally advanced, metastatic or recurrent non–squamous NSCLC were randomized (1:1) to receive six 21-day cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin with or without Avastin (15 mg/kg every 3 weeks). After completion or upon discontinuation of chemotherapy, patients randomized to receive Avastin continued to receive Avastin alone until disease progression or until unacceptable toxicity. The trial excluded patients with predominant squamous histology (mixed cell type tumors only), CNS metastasis, gross hemoptysis (1/2 teaspoon or more of red blood), unstable angina, or receiving therapeutic anticoagulation. The demographics of the safety population were similar to the demographics of the efficacy population.

Only Grades 3-5 non-hematologic and Grades 4-5 hematologic adverse reactions were collected. Grades 3-5 non-hematologic and Grades 4-5 hematologic adverse reactions occurring at a higher incidence (≥ 2%) in patients receiving Avastin with paclitaxel and carboplatin compared with patients receiving chemotherapy alone were neutropenia (27% vs. 17%), fatigue (16% vs. 13%), hypertension (8% vs. 0.7%), infection without neutropenia (7% vs. 3%), venous thromboembolism (5% vs. 3%), febrile neutropenia (5% vs. 2%), pneumonitis/pulmonary infiltrates (5% vs. 3%), infection with Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (4% vs. 2%), hyponatremia (4% vs. 1%), headache (3% vs. 1%) and proteinuria (3% vs. 0%).

Recurrent Glioblastoma

The safety of Avastin was evaluated in a multicenter, randomized, open-label study (EORTC 26101) in patients with recurrent GBM following radiotherapy and temozolomide of whom 278 patients received at least one dose of Avastin and are considered safety evaluable [see Clinical Studies]. Patients were randomized (2:1) to receive Avastin (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks) with lomustine or lomustine alone until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The demographics of the safety population were similar to the demographics of the efficacy population. In the Avastin withlomustine arm, 22% of patients discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions compared with 10% of patients in the lomustine arm. In patients receiving Avastin with lomustine, the adverse reaction profile was similar to that observed in other approved indications.

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

The safety of Avastin was evaluated in 337 patients who received at least one dose of Avastin in a multicenter, double-blind study (BO17705) in patients with mRCC. Patients who had undergone a nephrectomy were randomized (1:1) to receive either Avastin (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks) or placebo with interferon alfa [see Clinical Studies]. Patients were treated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The demographics of the safety population were similar to the demographics of the efficacy population.

Grades 3-5 adverse reactions occurring at a higher incidence ( >2%) were fatigue (13% vs. 8%), asthenia (10% vs. 7%), proteinuria (7% vs. 0%), hypertension (6% vs. 1%; including hypertension and hypertensive crisis), and hemorrhage (3% vs. 0.3%; including epistaxis, small intestinal hemorrhage, aneurysm ruptured, gastric ulcer hemorrhage, gingival bleeding, hemoptysis, hemorrhage intracranial, large intestinal hemorrhage, respiratory tract hemorrhage, and traumatic hematoma). Adverse reactions are presented in Table 3.

Table 3: Grades 1-5 Adverse Reactions Occurring at Higher Incidence (≥5%) of Patients Receiving Avastin vs. Placebo with Interferon Alfa in Study BO17705

The following adverse reactions were reported at a 5-fold greater incidence in patients receiving Avastin with interferon-alfa compared to patients receiving placebo with interferon-alfa and not represented in Table 3: gingival bleeding (13 patients vs. 1 patient); rhinitis (9 vs. 0); blurred vision (8 vs. 0); gingivitis (8 vs. 1); gastroesophageal reflux disease (8 vs. 1); tinnitus (7 vs. 1); tooth abscess (7 vs. 0); mouth ulceration (6 vs. 0); acne (5 vs. 0); deafness (5 vs. 0); gastritis (5 vs. 0); gingival pain (5 vs. 0) and pulmonary embolism (5 vs. 1).

Persistent, Recurrent, Or Metastatic Cervical Cancer

The safety of Avastin was evaluated in 218 patients who received at least one dose of Avastin in a multicenter study (GOG-0240) in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer[see Clinical Studies]. Patients were randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive paclitaxel and cisplatin with or without Avastin (15 mg/kg every 3 weeks), or paclitaxel and topotecan with or without Avastin (15 mg/kg every 3 weeks). The demographics of the safety population were similar to the demographics of the efficacy population.

Grades 3-4 adverse reactions occurring at a higher incidence (≥ 2%) in 218 patients receiving Avastin with chemotherapy compared to 222 patients receiving chemotherapy alone were abdominal pain (12% vs. 10%), hypertension (11% vs. 0.5%), thrombosis (8% vs. 3%), diarrhea (6% vs. 3%), anal fistula (4% vs. 0%), proctalgia (3% vs. 0%), urinary tract infection (8% vs. 6%), cellulitis (3% vs. 0.5%), fatigue (14% vs. 10%), hypokalemia (7% vs. 4%), hyponatremia (4% vs. 1%), dehydration (4% vs. 0.5%), neutropenia (8% vs. 4%), lymphopenia (6% vs. 3%), back pain (6% vs. 3%), and pelvic pain (6% vs. 1%). Adverse reactions are presented in Table 4.

Table 4: Grades 1-4 Adverse Reactions Occurring at Higher Incidence (≥ 5%) in Patients Receiving Avastin with Chemotherapy vs. Chemotherapy Alone in Study GOG-0240

Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube Or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Stage III or IV Following Initial Surgical Resection

The safety of Avastin was evaluated in GOG-0218, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, three arm study, which evaluated the addition of Avastin to carboplatin and paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with stage III or IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer following initial surgical resection [see Clinical Studies]. Patients were randomized (1:1:1) to carboplatin and paclitaxel without Avastin (CPP), carboplatin and paclitaxel with Avastin for up to six cycles (CPB15), or carboplatin and paclitaxel with Avastin for six cycles followed by Avastin as a single agent for up to 16 additional doses (CPB15+). Avastin was given at 15 mg/kg every three weeks. On this trial, 1215 patients received at least one dose of Avastin. The demographics of the safety population were similar to the demographics of the efficacy population.

Grades 3-4 adverse reactions occurring at a higher incidence (≥2%) in either of the Avastin arms versus the control arm were fatigue (CPB15+ -9%, CPB15 -6%, CPP -6%), hypertension (CPB15+ -10%, CPB15 -6%, CPP -2%), thrombocytopenia (CPB15+ -21%, CPB15 -20%, CPP -15%) and leukopenia (CPB15+ -51%,CPB15 -53%, CPP -50%). Adverse reactions are presented in Table 5.

Table 5: Grades 1-5 Adverse Reactions Occurring at Higher Incidence (≥ 5%) in Patients Receiving Avastin with Chemotherapy vs. Chemotherapy Alone in GOG-0218

Platinum-Resistant Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

The safety of Avastin was evaluated in 179 patients who received at least one dose of Avastin in a multicenter, open-label study (MO22224) in which patients were randomized (1:1) to Avastin with chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone in patients with platinum resistant, recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer that recurred within < 6 months from the most recent platinum based therapy [see Clinical Studies]. Patients were randomized to receive Avastin 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Patients had received no more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens. The trial excluded patients with evidence of recto-sigmoid involvement by pelvic examination or bowel involvement on CT scan or clinical symptoms of bowel obstruction. Patients were treated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Forty percent of patients on the chemotherapy alone arm received Avastin alone upon progression. The demographics of the safety population were similar to the demographics of the efficacy population.

Grades 3-4 adverse reactions occurring at a higher incidence ( ≥ 2%) in 179 patients receiving Avastin with chemotherapy compared to 181 patients receiving chemotherapy alone were hypertension (6.7% vs. 1.1%) and palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome (4.5% vs. 1.7%).

Adverse reactions are presented in Table 6.

Table 6: Grades 2−4 Adverse Reactions Occurring at Higher Incidence (≥ 5%) in Patients Receiving Avastin with Chemotherapy vs. Chemotherapy Alone in Study MO22224

Platinum-Sensitive Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, Or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Study AVF4095g

The safety of Avastin was evaluated in 247 patients who received at least one dose of Avastin in a double-blind study (AVF4095g) in patients with platinum sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer [see Clinical Studies]. Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive Avastin (15 mg/kg) or placebo every 3 weeks with carboplatin and gemcitabine for 6 to 10 cycles followed by Avastin or placebo alone until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The demographics of the safety population were similar to the demographics of the efficacy population.

Grades 3-4 adverse reactions occurring at a higher incidence (≥ 2%) in patients receiving Avastin with chemotherapy compared to placebo with chemotherapy were: thrombocytopenia (40% vs. 34%), nausea (4% vs. 1.3%), fatigue (6% vs. 4%), headache (4% vs. 0.9%), proteinuria (10% vs. 0.4%), dyspnea (4% vs. 1.7%), epistaxis (5% vs. 0.4%), and hypertension (17% vs. 0.9%). Adverse reactions are presented in Table 7.

Table 7: Grades 1−5 Adverse Reactions Occurring at a Higher Incidence (≥ 5%) in Patients Receiving Avastin with Chemotherapy vs. Placebo with Chemotherapy in Study AVF4095g

Study GOG-0213

The safety of Avastin was evaluated in an open-label, controlled study (GOG-0213) in 325 patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who have not received more than one previous regimen of chemotherapy[see Clinical Studies]. Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive carboplatin and paclitaxel for 6 to 8 cycles or Avastin (15 mg/kg every 3 weeks) with carboplatin and paclitaxel for 6 to 8 cycles followed by Avastin as a single agent until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The demographics of the safety population were similar to the demographics of the efficacy population.

Grades 3-4 adverse reactions occurring at a higher incidence (≥ 2%) in patients receiving Avastin with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone were: hypertension (11% vs. 0.6%), fatigue (8% vs. 3%), febrile neutropenia (6% vs. 3%), proteinuria (8% vs. 0%), abdominal pain (6% vs. 0.9%), hyponatremia (4% vs. 0.9%), headache (3% vs. 0.9%), and pain in extremity (3% vs. 0%).

Adverse reactions are presented in Table 8.

Table 8: Grades 1−5 Adverse Reactions Occurring at Higher Incidence (≥ 5%) in Patients Receiving Avastin with Chemotherapy vs. Chemotherapy Alone in Study GOG-0213

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

The safety of Avastin in combination with atezolizumab was evaluated in IMbrave150, a multicenter, international, randomized, open-label trial in patients with locally advanced or metastatic or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who have not received prior systemic treatment [see Clinical Studies]. Patients received 1,200 mg of atezolizumab intravenously followed by 15 mg/kg Avastin (n=329) every 3 weeks, or 400 mg of sorafenib (n=156) given orally twice daily, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The median duration of exposure to Avastin was 6.9 months (range: 0-16 months) and to atezolizumab was 7.4 months (range: 0-16 months).

Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4.6% of patients in the Avastin and atezolizumab arm. The most common adverse reactions leading to death were gastrointestinal and esophageal varices hemorrhage (1.2%) and infections (1.2%).

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 38% of patients in the Avastin and atezolizumab arm. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (≥ 2%) were gastrointestinal hemorrhage (7%), infections (6%), and pyrexia (2.1%).

Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of Avastin occurred in 15% of patients in the Avastin and atezolizumab arm. The most common adverse reactions leading to Avastin discontinuation were hemorrhages (4.9%), including bleeding varicose vein, hemorrhage and gastrointestinal, subarachnoid, and pulmonary hemorrhages; and increased transaminases or bilirubin (0.9%).

Adverse reactions leading to interruption of Avastin occurred in 46% of patients in the Avastin and atezolizumab arm; the most common (≥ 2%) were proteinuria (6%); infections (6%); hypertension (6%); liver function laboratory abnormalities including increased transaminases, bilirubin, or alkaline phosphatase (4.6%); gastrointestinal hemorrhages (3%); thrombocytopenia/decreased platelet count (4.3%); and pyrexia (2.4%).

Tables 9 and 10 summarize adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in patients who received Avastin and atezolizumab in IMbrave150.

Table 9: Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥10% of Patients with HCC Receiving Avastin in IMbrave150

Table 10: Laboratory Abnormalities Worsening from Baseline Occurring in ≥20% of Patients with HCC Receiving Avastin in IMbrave150

Immunogenicity

As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a potential for immunogenicity. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and the specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors, including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to bevacizumab in the studies described below with the incidence of antibodies in other studies or to other bevacizumab products may be misleading.

In clinical studies for adjuvant treatment of a solid tumor, 0.6% (14/2233) of patients tested positive for treatment-emergent anti-bevacizumab antibodies as detected by an electrochemiluminescent (ECL) based assay. Among these 14 patients, three tested positive for neutralizing antibodies against bevacizumab using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The clinical significance of these anti-bevacizumab antibodies is not known.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of Avastin. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

General: Polyserositis

Cardiovascular: Pulmonary hypertension, Mesenteric venous occlusion

Gastrointestinal: Gastrointestinal ulcer, Intestinal necrosis, Anastomotic ulceration

Hemic and lymphatic: Pancytopenia

Hepatobiliary disorders: Gallbladder perforation

Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Osteonecrosis of the jaw

Renal: Renal thrombotic microangiopathy (manifested as severe proteinuria)

Respiratory: Nasal septum perforation

Vascular: Arterial (including aortic) aneurysms, dissections, and rupture

Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Avastin (Bevacizumab)