Alymsys^®

Alymsys^® contains the active substance bevacizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody (a specific protein normally produced by the immune system to protect the body against infections and cancer). Bevacizumab selectively binds to a protein called human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a human vascular growth factor found inside the body’s blood and lymph vessels. The protein VEGF causes the blood vessels in a tumour to grow, which in turn supply the tumour with nutrients and oxygen. However, once bevacizumab has attached to VEGF, tumour growth is prevented by blocking the growth of the blood vessels that supply the tumour with nutrients and oxygen.

• Alymsys^® is a medicine used to treat adult patients with advanced colorectal cancer, which is cancer of the colon or rectum. Alymsys^® is used in combination with chemotherapy treatment containing a medicine from the group of active substances known as fluoropyrimidines.
• Alymsys^® is also used to treat adult patients with metastatic breast cancer. In this case, Alymsys^® is used together with chemotherapy containing the active substances paclitaxel or capecitabine.
• Alymsys^® is also used to treat adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. In this case, Alymsys^® is used together with chemotherapy containing platinum.
• Alymsys^® is also used to treat adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer when the cancer cells have a specific mutation of a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In this case, Alymsys^® is used together with erlotinib.
• Alymsys^® is also used to treat adult patients with advanced kidney cancer. In this case, Alymsys^® is used together with another medicine containing the active substance interferon.
• Alymsys^® is also used for the initial treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer or primary peritoneal cancer. When used in patients with ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer or primary peritoneal cancer, Alymsys^® is used in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel.
• In adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer or primary peritoneal cancer whose disease has recurred after at least 6 months since the last treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy, Alymsys^® is used in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine or with carboplatin and paclitaxel.
• In adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer or primary peritoneal cancer whose disease has recurred up to 6 months after the last treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy, Alymsys^® is used in combination with topotecan or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.
• Alymsys^® is also used to treat adult patients with cervical cancer when the disease is ongoing, recurrent or metastatic. Alymsys^® is given in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin, or alternatively with paclitaxel and topotecan in patients who cannot receive platinum-containing therapy.