Roche announces Avastin results

Roche has announced an interim analysis of a phase III clinical study of Avastin for the treatment of renal cell cancer. Roche reports that Avastin has in the past proven effective in the treatment of breast, colorectal and lung cancer.

The company reports that the analysis implies an improvement in overall survival of patient. Roche notes that that renal cell cancer accounts for 90 per cent of all cases of kidney cancer, with treatment options being limited for patients.

Through targeting the naturally occurring vascular endothelial growth factor protein, Avastin inhibits angiogenesis, the growth of a blood vessel network that supplies oxygen and nutrients to tissues with cancer.

Eduard Holdener, head of Roche Pharmaceuticals Development, reported that the results of the trial had shown the efficacy of Avastin as a first-line treatment for renal cell cancer.

“This is the fourth cancer type in which Avastin unique mode of action translates into a progression-free survival benefit for patients,” he said.

He added that, given the currently limited treatment options for the disease, the company would work with European health authorities to make the drug available to renal cell carcinoma patients as soon as possible.

In August, Roche announced that it had filed a marketing authorisation application with the European Medicines Agency for the use of Avastin in conjunction with platinum-based chemotherapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.