Survey shows doctors support FDA Avastin decision
pharmafile | February 7, 2011 | News story | Sales and Marketing | FDA, Roche, Sermo, avastin, bevacizumab
A survey of US doctors suggests that a majority support the FDA’s decision to take away Avastin’s licence for use against breast cancer.
The US regulator announced in April that post-marketing data suggested the drug provided very few benefits in prolonging survival for patients, but carried the risk of adverse events such as including high blood pressure, internal bleeding, perforated internal organs, and damage to the heart.
When the FDA confirmed its decision in December, Roche pledged to challenge the decision, but looks unlikely to regain the licence. The loss of the license in breast cancer is set to cost the company $1 billion in lost annual revenues.
Sermo, the largest largest online community for US doctors, has now conducted a survey of its members, finding 58% support the FDA decision.
However, 50% of respondents also believe that Avastin has increased the quality of life for breast cancer patients.
The new report titled “Should Avastin (bevacizumab) Keep its Breast Cancer Indication?” reveals how US doctors are using Avastin and which therapeutic agents they will switch to for clinical presentations.
Physicians provided commentary on both sides of the debate. Some believe that the progression free survival benefit previously shown for Avastin is meaningful.
According to one oncologist on Sermo, “If folks can get ‘caught up’ on the survival endpoint by being able to take Avastin at the time of progression, how can one possibly prove a survival advantage overall?”
Another oncologist commented, “This is a shame, but we are going to do what the payers let us do.”
Therapeutic agents listed by physicians that will be used instead of Avastin in the treatment of breast cancer include, but are not limited to: Resveratrol, Abraxane (paclitaxel), Taxotere (docetaxel), Gemzar (gemcitabine), Xeloda (capecitabine), Abraxane (paclitaxel), Taxol (paclitaxel), Navelbine (vinorelbine) and Ixempra (ixabepilone).
Andrew McConaghie
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