Roche Anti-Cancer Medications
Roche Oncology & Haematology is involved in the research, development and provision of a number of drugs in the oncology and haematology areas. A brief description of each of the Roche Oncology & Haematology drugs currently available in
Avastin (bevacizumab)
Avastin is used in combination with other chemotherapy agents to treat metastatic (spreading) colorectal cancer. Avastin contains the active ingredient bevacizumab. Avastin belongs to a group of medicines nown as antineoplastic (or anticancer) agents. There are many different classes of antineoplastic agents. Avastin belongs to a class called monoclonal antibodies.
Monoclonal antibodies are proteins which specially recognise and bind to other unique proteins in the body. Avastin selectively binds to a protein called human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is found in the lining of blood and lymph vessels in the body. VEGF causes blood vessels to grow within tumours. Once Avastin binds to VEGF, it stops VEGF working properly. This has the effect of stopping tumour growth.
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If you require further information about your condition or your treatment, please consult your doctor.
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Herceptin contains the active ingredient called trastuzumab. Herceptin belongs to a group of medicines known as anti-neoplastic (or anti-cancer) agents. There are many different classes of anti-neoplastic agents. Herceptin belongs to a new class called monoclonal antibodies. Herceptin is used to treat a certain type of metastatic (spreading) breast cancer. The cancer cells of some patients with metastatic breast cancer have a large amount of a protein called HER2 on the cancer cells. Herceptin (trastuzumab) works by attaching itself specifically to these HER2 proteins (or receptors) on the cancer cells. This stops the growth and multiplication of these cancer cells.
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If you require further information about your condition or your treatment, please consult your doctor.
MabThera (rituximab)
MabThera belongs to a group of medicines known as monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins which specifically recognise and bind to another unique protein called an antigen. MabThera contains the active ingredient called rituximab. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody. MabThera works by binding to an antigen on the surface of certain white blood cells known as B lymphocytes. During the process of binding to the antigen, the abnormal growth of the B lymphocytes is stopped. It is the abnormally growing B lymphocytes that are responsible for certain types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. MabThera is used to treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It may be used on its own or together with chemotherapy.
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If you require further information about your condition or your treatment, please consult your doctor.
Xeloda (capecitabine)
Xeloda contains the active ingredient capecitabine. Xelods is used for the treatment of breast cancer. It may be prescribed alone or in combination with a chemotherapy agent. Xeloda is also used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Xeloda belongs to a group of medicines called anti-neoplastic agents. Within this group, Xeloda belongs to a class of medicines called pyrimidine analogues. Xeloda works by killing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. The medicine contained in Xeloda tablets, capecitabine, is converted by the liver and cancer cells to another medicine called 5-fluorouracil, also known as 5-FU. It is 5-FU that acts to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells.
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If you require further information about your condition or your treatment, please consult your doctor.