Roche has reported the potential of Avastin, in combination with chemotherapy, to treat advanced lung cancer. A study investigating the use of the blockbuster drug met its primary endpoint of improving progression free survival in patients with previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
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Roche said Avastin's benefit was seen in patients who received either one of two different Avastin doses investigated in the new phase III trial.
Roche explained the results of the study showed that Avastin administered in a schedule of either 7.5 or 15mg/kg every three weeks in combination with gemcitabine/cisplatin chemotherapy significantly prolonged the time patients with advanced NSCLC lived without their disease progressing (“progression-free survival”) when compared to chemotherapy alone.
Roche said the results from the trial complement the dossier for the filing of Avastin in NSCLC which was submitted to EU health authorities in August 2006. In the US, Avastin was approved for the treatment of NSCLC in October 2006.