Roche notes Avastin’s potential for brain cancer patients

Roche’s Avastin (bevacizumab) therapy could play a role in improving the daily lives of people who have the most aggressive form of brain cancer, the company has asserted.

The organisation explained that research has shown that when given alone, or in combination with irinotecan chemotherapy, the drug has positive effects on patients being treated for progressive or relapsed progressive glioblastoma.

It said that as well as increasing the likelihood of patients being alive without their condition worsening at six months, therapy based around Avastin could result in positive daily impact on their daily lives.

William Burns, chief executive officer of Roche’s pharmaceuticals division, said: “Avastin based therapy has the potential to make a real difference for patients with glioblastoma.”

Earlier this month, it was announced that Mr Burns will retire from the company’s corporate executive committee at the end of 2009. He will be proposed as a member of the Roche board at the 2010 annual shareholder meeting.