Phase III Avastin trial in Colon Cancer to continue

Genentech have announced that its ongoing Phase III study of Avastin (bevacizumab) in patients with early-stage colon cancer will continue as planned.

Avastin and Tarceva combo does not meet primary endpoint in Phase III NSCLC

Phase III trial results show treatment with Avastin/Tarceva in patients with advanced NSCLC did not meet its primary endpoint (overall survival compared to Tarceva). Secondary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) and response rate when Avastin was added to Tarceva were however met.

Genentech/OSI issue hepatic safety warning for Tarceva

OSI and Genentech have notified healthcare professionals that cases of hepatic failure and hepatorenal syndrome have been reported during use of Tarceva
Letter – OSI/Genentech; Updated label – OSI/Genentech

Avastin demonstrates overall survival in metastatic colorectal cancer patients with K-Ras gene status

Data presented at the European of Medical Oncology (ESMO) show Avastin (bevacizumab) is the only biologic to provide overall survival (OS) benefit when used as first-line treatment in combination with chemotherapy for patients with K-Ras wild type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Roche to present at ESMO

Roche have announced that 100+ abstracts on Roche medicines will be presented at the upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) meeting.

Key presentations include:
* Data from AVAiL, confirming the use of Avastin as first line treatment in NSCLC
* Phase III data on continuation of Herceptin treatment
* Phase II data data on the use of [...]

Piramed/Genentech publish data on PI3K inhibitor GDC-0941

Piramed/Genentech have published research leading to the development of lead compound GDC-0941

UKs NICE recommends Lucentis for Wet AMD

The UK’s NICE final guidance has recommended Lucentis as a cost-effective treatment for wet AMD

Roche wont lower Avastin price despite NICE ruling

Roche have issued a statement saying it won’t lower the price for Avastin despite UK’s NICE ruling that it is not a cost-effective treatment for advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Roche argue that Avastin is used in many cancer types and is fully reimbursed in most European countries.
Pfizer, Bayer and Wyeth are still considering their formal [...]

NICE recommends against Avastin, Nexavar, Sutent and Torisel for Kidney Cancer

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has made a preliminary ruling stating that Avastin, Nexavar, Sutent and Torisel  are not  effective enough to warrant their high cost and shouldn’t be prescribed to new patients in Britain.

Sorafenib and Bevacizumab combination therapy increases antitumor activity

Combining Sorafenib and Bevacizumab has been shown to increase antitumur activity in patients with advanced solid tumors, especially those with ovarian cancer.