Mvasi (Bevacizumab-awwb): A Complete Guide to Uses, Side Effects, and Dosing

In the United States, nearly 2 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer, understanding your treatment options can help you feel more prepared.

Mvasi (bevacizumab-awwb) is an FDA-approved cancer medicine used to treat several advanced cancers, including colorectal cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, glioblastoma, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer. It works by blocking the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow and spread. As a biosimilar to Avastin (bevacizumab), Mvasi offers the same safety and effectiveness as Avastin but is often available at a lower cost.

In this article, we’ll explain what Mvasi is, how it works, its FDA-approved uses, recommended dosage, possible side effects, and important precautions before treatment.

What Is Mvasi?

Mvasi (bevacizumab-awwb) is an FDA-approved medicine used to treat several types of cancer. It is a biosimilar to the drug Avastin (bevacizumab). This means that there is no meaningful difference between the two in safety, purity, or effectiveness. Because it is a biosimilar, Mvasi is generally less expensive than the reference product, Avastin. 

Mvasi was first approved by the FDA in 2017 [1]. The active ingredient is bevacizumab-awwb, a laboratory-made monoclonal antibody that targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein responsible for stimulating the growth of new blood vessels. VEGF signals your body to build new blood vessels. When tumors form, they require a blood supply in order to continue growing. By blocking VEGF, Mvasi reduces the blood supply to tumors, making it more difficult for cancer cells to grow and spread.

What Is Mvasi Used To Treat?

Mvasi is an FDA-approved medicine used to treat several types of cancer. It is usually used in combination with other anticancer medicines. Mvasi is FDA-approved to treat [2][3]:

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Mvasi is used together with chemotherapy to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Used with carboplatin and paclitaxel as the first-line treatment for non-squamous NSCLC.

Glioblastoma: May be used in adults whose glioblastoma (a type of brain tumor) has returned after prior treatment.

Metastatic Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma): Mvasi is used together with interferon alfa.

Cervical Cancer: Mvasi is used with paclitaxel and cisplatin, or with paclitaxel and topotecan to treat persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer.

Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer: Mvasi may be used with chemotherapy and continued as maintenance therapy for certain patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent disease. 

How Does Mvasi Work?

Tumors need a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to grow and spread. To get it, they produce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that tells your body to build new blood vessels.

The active ingredient in Mvasi binds to VEGF and prevents it from activating the signals that stimulate new blood vessel growth [3]. As a result, tumors receive less oxygen and fewer nutrients, which can slow their growth and make chemotherapy more effective when the medicines are used together. Unlike chemotherapy, Mvasi does not directly kill cancer cells. Instead, it works by limiting the tumor’s ability to grow and spread. 

Side Effects

Like all medications, Mvasi can cause side effects.  Many are mild and manageable, while others can be serious and require immediate medical attention. Your healthcare provider will monitor you closely throughout treatment. Below are some of the most common and serious side effects associated with Mvasi [2]:

Common Side Effects

Here are some of the most common side effects:

• High blood pressure
• Taste change
• Too much protein in the urine
• Inflammation of the skin 
• Back pain
• Headache
• Nosebleeds
• Dry skin and watery eyes
• Nasal congestion or runny nose

Severe Side Effects

In rare cases, Mvasi can cause something more serious. Serious side effects include: 

Gastrointestinal Perforation: Mvasi can cause holes in the stomach or intestines. Get medical help right away if you have severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, or constipation.

Severe Bleeding: This can happen in the lungs, stomach, brain, or elsewhere. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you cough up blood, vomit blood, or notice unusual bleeding. 

Poor Wound Healing: Mvasi slows healing. So you should not use Mvasi for at least 28 days before or after surgery and until surgical wounds are fully healed.

Blood Clots: Mvasi may raise your risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Chest pain, sudden weakness, trouble speaking, or shortness of breath indicate the need for emergency care.

High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure can spike dangerously high in some patients, requiring immediate treatment.

Kidney Damage: Mvasi can cause kidney problems, including significant protein loss in the urine. Your doctor will monitor your kidney function throughout treatment.

Infusion-Related Reactions: Although uncommon, some people experience reactions during or shortly after the infusion. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, chest pain, flushing, chills, dizziness, or severe allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if these occur. 

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any unusual symptoms during treatment, and seek immediate medical attention if you develop signs of a serious reaction. 

Dosing

The recommended dose varies depending on the type of cancer being treated, your body weight, and whether it is being used with other medications. Mvasi is administered as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. 

Here is the usual recommended dosage of Mvasi [3]:

For Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: The recommended dosage is:

• 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks with bolus-IFL chemotherapy.
• 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks with FOLFOX4 chemotherapy.

If the cancer gets worse after a bevacizumab-containing (Mvasi) first-line treatment, the recommended dose is:

• 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks, or
• 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks with irinotecan- or oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

For Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The recommended dose is 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with carboplatin and paclitaxel.

For Recurrent Glioblastoma: 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

For Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks with interferon-alfa.

For Persistent, Recurrent, or Metastatic Cervical Cancer: 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with paclitaxel and cisplatin, or with paclitaxel and topotecan.

For Stage III or IV Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer: The recommended dose is 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with carboplatin and paclitaxel for up to 6 treatment cycles. After that, Mvasi is continued alone every 3 weeks for a total of up to 22 treatment cycles.

For Platinum-Resistant Recurrent Ovarian, Fallopian Tube or Primary Peritoneal Cancer: The recommended dose is:

• 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks with paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan given every week
• 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with topotecan given every 3 weeks

For Platinum-Sensitive Recurrent Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer: Dosage recommendations are:

• 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with carboplatin and paclitaxel for 6-8 cycles, followed by 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks as a single agent
• 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks with carboplatin and gemcitabine for 6-10 cycles, followed by 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks as a single agent

Before Starting Mvasi

Before starting Mvasi, tell your healthcare provider about your complete medical history, especially if you: 

• Have high blood pressure
• Have kidney disease
• Have heart disease
• Have a history of blood clots or stroke
• Have a bleeding disorder
• Recently had surgery, or have surgery planned
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding

Here are some important precautions to consider before starting treatment:

• Mvasi may increase the risk of serious bleeding, and it can delay wound healing after surgery. That is why you should stop using Mvasi at least 28 days before any planned surgery. Do not restart Mvasi until at least 28 days after a major surgery and only after the wound has healed properly.
• Blood pressure should be monitored regularly during treatment.
• Your healthcare provider may also perform routine blood and urine tests throughout treatment to monitor for side effects. 
• Kidney function and urine protein levels should be checked periodically.
• Mvasi can harm your unborn child. So, you should use birth control while on Mvasi. You should continue using birth control for 6 months after stopping Mvasi before trying to become pregnant.
• Women should not breastfeed during treatment with Mvasi and for 6 months after the last dose because it could harm a breastfed child 

Cost

Mvasi comes in single-dose vials at different strengths. The total cost of treatment depends on your body weight, treatment schedule, infusion center fees, treatment duration, insurance coverage, and eligibility for financial assistance. 

For example, a patient weighing 70 kg who receives 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks would require approximately 1,400 mg of Mvasi each month. Based on current estimated wholesale pricing, medication costs alone could exceed $9,000 per month before insurance coverage or financial assistance. Actual out-of-pocket costs are often much lower because many insurance plans cover Mvasi, and manufacturer or third-party assistance programs may help eligible patients.

Because Mvasi is a biosimilar, it is generally less expensive than the reference product, Avastin. Contact us if you are interested in receiving financial assistance or copay assistance for Mvasi.

Conclusion

Mvasi is an FDA-approved biosimilar to Avastin used to treat several advanced cancers by blocking the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to survive. Although treatment can cause side effects, careful monitoring helps manage many of these risks. If your healthcare provider recommends Mvasi, learning how it works, what to expect during treatment, and what financial assistance may be available can help you make informed decisions about your care.