Food and Drug Administration approved Genentech’s “Avastin” for the treatment of advanced breast Cancer. Avastin was already got FDA approval for treating advanced Colon and non-small cell Lung cancer. According to the Genentech Company, Avastin in combination with Paclitaxel chemotherapy will rise survival period in metastatic breast cancer patients. Why FDA took this decision against the recommendation of its advisory panel? We don’t know.
FDA gave accelerated approval for Avastin in combination with Paclitaxel for treating metastatic HER-2 negative breast cancer. According to clinical trials, this combination increased the survival duration in these patients. 75% of metastatic breast cancers are generally HER-2 negative.
According to American Cancer society, Breast Cancer is the second most leading cancer killer among American women and it killed 45,000 women in 2007 alone.
Don’t forget that metastatic breast cancer has no permanent cure. Avastin is also showing positive response in the renal cell carcinoma treatment clinical trials.
Avastin uses:
1. Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: In combination with 5-fluorouracil, is indicated for treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum.
2. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: In combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, is indicated for first line treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer.
3. Metastatic HER-2 negative Breast Cancer.
Avastin is really a wonder drug for both cancer patients and Genentech company.
