The FDA has approved Mvasi (bevacizumab-awwb) as a biosimilar to Avastin (bevacizumab) for the treatment of multiple types of cancer.

Indications: Mvasi is a vascular endothelial growth factor-specific angiogenesis inhibitor indicated for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), glioblastoma, metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), and cervical cancer.

Dosage and administration:

• mCRC: 5 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks with bolus-IFL; 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks with FOLFOX4; 5 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks with fluoropyrimidine-irinotecan or fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin based chemotherapy.
• Non-squamous NSCLC: 15 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks with carboplatin/paclitaxel.
• Glioblastoma: 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks.
• mRCC: 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks with interferon alfa.
• Cervical cancer: 15 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks with paclitaxel/cisplatin or paclitaxel/topotecan.

Efficacy and safety: Approval is based on evidence showing that Mvasi is biosimilar to Avastin.

Side effects/risks: Most common adverse reactions are epistaxis, headache, hypertension, rhinitis, proteinuria, taste alteration, dry skin, rectal hemorrhage, lacrimation disorder, back pain, and exfoliative dermatitis.