Avastin fails in colon cancer study
pharmafile | April 30, 2009 | News story | Research and Development | Cancer, Roche
Roche's blockbuster Avastin has failed to show success in treating early-stage colon cancer.
A phase III trial found Avastin (bevacizumab) did not lower the risk of the disease returning in patients who have recently undergone surgery to remove a tumour.
The trial compared the use of Avastin plus chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone.
The results are a setback for Roche, which recently bought the remainder of its shares in Avastin creator Genentech for $46.8 billion, giving it full future rights to Avastin.
William Burns, chief executive of Roche's pharmaceuticals division, said further studies would be carried out in early-stage colon cancer.
"In order to provide patients with the full potential benefit of Avastin in early-stage cancer, we believe the findings of [the trial] should be considered for the ongoing adjuvant trial programmes," he said.
Avastin is Roche's leading third-generation cancer drug and its sales rocketed in 2008 as its use rapidly increases around the world.
In 2008 the company saw a 37% rise in annual sales of Avastin to $4.5bn last year.
The drug is licensed to treat advanced colorectal, breast, lung and kidney cancer, and is set for further licensed indications this year.
Burns stressed the results did not affect these approved indications in advanced cancer.
Early stage hope
But the company has not given up hope of Avastin's success in early-stage cancer.
The drug is currently in trials for early-stage breast cancer and lung cancer, and analysts predict sales could more than double if the drug is found to delay progression of the disease in early-stage cancer patients.
Hal Barron, chief medical officer at Genentech, said despite not meeting its target Avastin had nonetheless shown promise in early-stage colon cancer patients and that Roche would conduct further studies.
"While we are disappointed the C-08 study did not meet its primary endpoint, our initial review of the data leads us to continue to believe Avastin may be active in patients with early-stage colon cancer," he said.
Data from the early-stage colon cancer trial will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting which will be held in Orlando, USA on 29 May – 2 June.
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