Roche: Avastin demonstrates overall survival in K-RAS colorectal cancer

Roche has announced the publication of new trial data showing that Avastin (bevacizumab) is the only biologic to show overall survival when used as a first-line treatment in metastatic colorectal patients with K-Ras wild-type gene status.

The company said the strong position of the compound has been confirmed by the presentation of data from a cetuximab study at the European Society for Medical Oncology, which it claimed confirmed the survival benefit of Avastin.

Results from the Crystal study showed that cetuximab combined with chemotherapy failed to show a significant benefit in overall survival for the general population or patients with K-Ras status.

Roche said that Avastin remains the best treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, regardless of oncogene mutations.

Dr Mark Kozloff, associate professor of the Department of Oncology at the University of Chicago School of Medicine, said: “”Extending the lives of my patients remains a key goal for me as a treating physician.”

He added that this goal can only be achieved by Avastin in combination with chemotherapy and thus should be used as a first-line treatment in the majority of patients in this indication.

In February 2008, Roche commented on the importance of Avastin to progression-free survival in breast cancer patients.