Colorectal Cancer News:

Avastin "Markedly Extends" Survival of Colorectal Cancer Patients

Genentech Inc. announced that its experimental drug Avastin (bevacizumab) "markedly extends" the survival of advanced colorectal cancer patients, potentially heralding a breakthrough in treatment.

While the company provided few specifics from the phase III trial of the drug used in combination with chemotherapy, a spokesperson said "the magnitude of the benefit observed far exceeded what the study was designed to demonstrate."

Avastin is one of a new class of cancer-fighting drugs designed to inhibit a protein known as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which plays a critical role in formation of new blood vessels to the tumor and stimulates growth of new blood vessels.

The anti-angiogenisis drug slows tumor growth and the spread of cancer by cutting off its supply of blood and oxygen.

"The data from this important Phase III trial, which show that treatment with Avastin and chemotherapy resulted in improved survival, highlights a potentially new way to treat patients with metastatic colorectal cancer," said Dr. Susan D. Hellmann, Genentech's chief medical officer.

"These data strongly suggest that inhibiting VEGF results in clinical benefit for colorectal cancer patients and has the potential to change the practice of treating cancer," Hellmann said.

Genentech said the main side effect of Avastin was an increase in hypertension, which was easily managed with oral medication.

Source: Colorectal Cancer Week of June 1, 2003