Avastin data suggest longer treatment needed

Roche (SIX:ROG) and its Genentech Inc. subsidiary reported final data from the U.S. Phase III NSABP C-08 trial in early-stage colorectal cancer, which missed the primary endpoint of a significant improvement in disease-free survival in April. The full data showed the addition of one year of Avastin bevacizumab to FOLFOX chemotherapy produced a 67% improvement in disease-free survival vs. FOLFOX alone in the first year. However, the improvement began to diminish after the first year. Norman Wolmark, chairman of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), said the results suggest longer treatment duration of Avastin should be studied. The final data were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Orlando. ...