Roche Posts Analysis Of Phase II BRAIN Study For Avastin

Roche has revealed an analysis of its phase II BRAIN study of Avastin (bevacizumab) alone or in combination with irinotecan chemotherapy for the treatment of relapsed or progressive glioblastoma (GBM).

It demonstrates that in addition to increase the chance of patients being alive without worsening of their disease at six months (progression free survival; PFS-6), Avastin-based therapy may also lead to additional positive impact on patients’ daily lives.

Adverse events in the BRAIN study were consistent with those previously seen with Avastin and no new safety signals were reported.

The analysis presented for cancer specialists at the joint 15th ECCO and 34th ESMO, showed that the patients who responded to Avastin-based therapy may also have a stabilisation or improvement in neurocognitive function and a reduction in their dose of steroids.

James Vredenburgh, medical director of adult clinical service at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA, said: “Stabilising neurocognitive function and reducing reliance on steroids can improve day to day life for patients with recurrent GBM which, given the poor prognosis, is a key aim of treatment. This analysis suggests that Avastin-based therapy which has already demonstrated PFS benefits may also have a positive impact on patients’ daily lives and should offer hope to physicians, patients and their caregivers alike.”

William Burns, CEO of pharmaceuticals division at Roche, said: “Avastin continues to demonstrate its benefits as a treatment for an increasing variety of cancers. Avastin based therapy has the potential to make a real difference for patients with glioblastoma.”