• What is leucovorin?

  Leucovorin calcium is a type of drug called a folic acid analog, which means it is similar to the vitamin folic acid. It is used in combination with certain chemotherapy drugs to enhance their ability to kill cancer cells (for example, fluorouracil) or to lessen their harmful side effects (for example, methotrexate). It is a type of chemoprotective agent and a type of chemosensitizing agent. Leucovorin is the active ingredient of leucovorin calcium. Also called citrovorum factor and folinic acid.

  Leucovorin calcium is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

  • Colorectal cancer. It is used with fluorouracil as palliative treatment in patients with advanced disease.
  • Anemia. It is used to treat megaloblastic anemia that occurs when the body does not get enough of a vitamin called folic acid. It is used by patients who cannot take the vitamin by mouth.

  Leucovorin calcium is also used to prevent and treat the toxic effects of high-dose methotrexate when used to treat osteosarcoma and other types of cancer. It is also used to treat overdoses of methotrexate or other folic acid antagonists.

  The drug is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer.

• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Leucovorin Injection. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• What is fluorouracil?

  Fluorouracil is a type of chemotherapy drug called an antimetabolite. It mimics one of the building blocks of RNA and DNA, which disrupts the ability of the cells to make DNA and proteins. This slows or stops the growth of cancer cells and other rapidly dividing cells and causes them to die.

  Fluorouracil injection is approved to treat:

  • Breast cancer.
  • Colorectal cancer.
  • Gastric (stomach) cancer.
  • Pancreatic cancer.

  Fluorouracil is also called 5-FU. Fluorouracil is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer.

  Fluorouracil is also available in a topical form.

• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Fluorouracil Injection. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• What is irinotecan?

  Irinotecan hydrochloride is a prescription medicine used alone or with other drugs to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used in patients whose cancer has not already been treated or whose cancer has recurred (come back) or has gotten worse after treatment with anticancer drugs that included fluorouracil. Irinotecan hydrochloride blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair, and it may kill cancer cells. It is a type of topoisomerase inhibitor and a type of camptothecin analog. Irinotecan is the active ingredient of irinotecan hydrochloride. Also called Camptosar and CPT 11.

  Irinotecan hydrochloride is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

  • Colorectal cancer that has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body), including metastatic cancer that has recurred (come back) or has not gotten better with other chemotherapy.

  Irinotecan hydrochloride is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

  Irinotecan hydrochloride is also available in a different form called irinotecan hydrochloride liposome.

• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Irinotecan Injection. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

• What is bevacizumab?

  Bevacizumab is a type of targeted therapy called an angiogenesis inhibitor. It is a monoclonal antibody that works by blocking the growth of blood vessels that are needed to support tumor growth.

  Bevacizumab is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

  • Cervical cancer that has not gotten better with other treatment, has spread to other parts of the body, or has come back. It is used with paclitaxel and either cisplatin or topotecan hydrochloride. This use is approved for the Alymsys, Avastin, Mvasi, and Zirabev brands of bevacizumab.
  • Colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used:
    • With fluorouracil as the first or second treatment.
    • With a fluoropyrimidine and either irinotecan hydrochloride or oxaliplatin as the second treatment in patients whose disease has gotten worse after therapy that included bevacizumab.
    This use is approved for the Alymsys, Avastin, Mvasi, and Zirabev brands of bevacizumab.
  • Glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer) that has come back. It is used in adults. This use is approved for the Alymsys, Avastin, Mvasi, and Zirabev brands of bevacizumab.
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer) that has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery. It is used with atezolizumab in patients who have not received systemic therapy. This use is approved for the Avastin brand of bevacizumab.
  • Nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer that is has spread, cannot be removed by surgery, or has come back. It is used with carboplatin and paclitaxel as the first therapy. This use is approved for the Alymsys, Avastin, Mvasi, and Zirabev brands of bevacizumab.
  • Ovarian epithelial,fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. It is used:
    • With carboplatin and paclitaxel and then alone in patients with stage III, stage IV, or recurrent cancer. It is given after surgery. This use is approved for the Avastin, Mvasi, and Zirabev brands of bevacizumab.
    • With paclitaxel, doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome, or topotecan hydrochloride in patients whose cancer has come back, does not respond to platinum chemotherapy, and has been treated with up to two types of chemotherapy. This use is approved for the Alymsys, Avastin, Mvasi, and Zirabev brands of bevacizumab.
    • With carboplatin and paclitaxel or carboplatin and gemcitabine hydrochloride and then alone in patients whose cancer responds to platinum chemotherapy and has come back. This use is approved for the Avastin, Mvasi, and Zirabev brands of bevacizumab.
  • Renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer) that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used with interferon alpha. This use is approved for the Alymsys, Avastin, Mvasi, and Zirabev brands of bevacizumab.

  Bevacizumab is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

• What should I tell my healthcare provider before receiving bevacizumab?
• What are the possible side effects of bevacizumab?
• References

These FAQs provide a summary of the most important information about Bevacizumab Injection. If you would like more information or have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.