Antiangiogenesis

[Guest guest]

Hi All

I had an injection of Avastin in my right eye yesterday. I have the onset

of macular degeneration, which is caused by an abnormal growth of

blood vessels in the retina of the eye. Since Avastin was FDA

approved for colon cancer, it can be used off label for other cancers.

Avastin is still very expensive. They told me that the injection I

received costs $2000. I have Medicare and a gap insurance so

most of it is paid.

For those who are not familiar, Avastin is an antiangiogenesis

drug. Some time ago, Dr. Judah Folkman, discovered that cancers

produce a substance which causes the body to generate new

blood vessels. A cancer colony can only grow to a small tumor

unless it has a generous blood supply. So the cancer sends out

substances which cause the body to create new blood vessels

for their voracious appetite. The antiangiogenesis drugs are

supposed to counteract the angiogenesis signals produced by

the cancer.

There are several antiangiogenesis drugs which are being tested.

One drug which has been around for a long time is Thalidomide.

Some of you may remember the awful defects it caused in newborn

babies. It prevented the baby's body from developing proper blood

vessels and some were born without arms or legs and other

deformities. Some doctors are using Thalidomide as part of their

treatment for advanced prostate cancer. It does seem to have some

effect.

They discovered my macular degeneration while preparing for

cataract surgery. Mine seems to be in an early stage. I have a

sister who is going blind from macular degeneration. If it is caught

early, it can be treated. If the blood vessels have already formed,

nothing can be done.

The next time you see an opthomolgist, you might ask to have

your eyes checked for macular degeneration.

Aubrey