Roche announces positive phase III Avastin trial

Roche has announced the results of a phase III trial investigating Avastin (bevacizumab) in conjunction with chemotherapy. The company reports that the BO17704 international trial achieved its primary endpoint, showing an improvement in progression-free survival in patients with untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The positive result was exhibited in patients administered with both the 7.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg treatments in combination with gemcitabine/cisplatin chemotherapy every three weeks, with progression-free survival in these patients longer than in those receiving chemotherapy alone.

Avastin, a treatment that operates by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor to inhibit the growth of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to cancerous tissues, is currently being investigated by Roche and Genetech for the treatment of a number of cancers.

William M Burns, chief executive officer of Roche Pharmaceuticals, said: “In addition to supporting Avastin’s efficacy in advanced lung cancer, these positive results demonstrate Avastin’s treatment benefits when used in combination with a different chemotherapy regiment than the one investigated in the pivotal E4599 trial.”

He added that the company was anticipating working with European health authorities to make the compound available to patients with advanced lung cancer.

Last December, Avastin showed a positive outcome in patients with advanced renal cell cancer following the interim analysis of a phase III clinical study.