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news.Roche has announced that a large, international phase III study evaluating Xelox and Avastin in previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer patients has met both of its primary endpoints.
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Results of the 2,035-patient study, which was named NO16966, showed that the chemotherapy combination Xelox (Xeloda plus oxaliplati) is as effective in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) as the FOLFOX chemotherapy regimen.
Results also showed that the addition of Avastin to chemotherapy (FOLFOX and Xelox) significantly improved progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone.
“This is the first time we have significant data showing that oral Xeloda in combination with oxaliplatin is as effective as FOLFOX,” said Lars Birgerson, vice president of medical affairs at Roche. “In this trial, Avastin combined with Xelox and FOLFOX improved the chance of delaying progression of the disease by 20% in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Furthermore, the results of this study underscore the tremendous potential of combinations using cornerstone therapies such as Xeloda.”
Roche said that results from the study will be submitted for presentation at a future international medical meeting.