Roche trial data shows Avastin’s ovarian cancer benefits

Roche's cancer therapy Avastin has demonstrated efficacy against ovarian cancer in a new clinical trial.

Data from Oceans, a phase III study, showed that Avastin plus chemotherapy, followed by continued use of Avastin alone, can help to reduce the disease progression risk of women with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.

This adds to previous phase III data showing the potential benefits of the drug among newly-diagnosed patients, while safety data was also consistent with prior studies.

Dr Hal Barron, chief medical officer and head of global product development at Roche, said: "Women with recurrent ovarian cancer need new treatment options and it is therefore an important advance to halve the risk of disease progression in this incurable cancer."

If approved in this specification, it would further expand the range of indications for which Avastin is recommended, including colorectal, breast, lung and kidney cancer.

Earlier this week, the company also published new clinical trial data on another oncology agent, Tarceva, demonstrating its efficacy against advanced non-small cell lung cancer.