After demonstrating its effectiveness against breast cancer, colorectal,lung non-small cell, kidney and ovary, Avastin also improves the chances of survival of patients with a certain type of brain cancer.
– 36% risk of mortality
Roche laboratories have just made public the results of the phase III study AVAglio on the action of Avastin (bevacizumab) on glioblastomas relating to survival without progression of the disease. The study was carried out on a group of patients with glioblastoma, a common and aggressive brain tumor, newly diagnosed after surgery or biopsy. Half received Avastin, the other half received placebo.
As a result, taking Avastin in combination with temozolomide chemotherapy and radiotherapy reduces the risk of cancer death or progression by 36% compared to the same chemotherapy and radiotherapy combined with a placebo.
72% 1-year survival rate
The one-year survival rate is 66% for the placebo group versus 72% for the Avastin group. “The study also showed that, during the progression-free period, patients were able to maintain their functional independence and that a number of important health-related quality of life indicators were preserved,” specifies the Roche laboratory in a press release. The treated patients also needed fewer corticosteroids.
On the other hand, the provisional results concerning the overall survival of the patient in the event of taking Avastin “have not been found to be statistically significant”. The final results of this evaluation will be presented in 2013 at the annual meeting of the Society of Neuro-Oncology in Washington.
Remember that glioma (tumor developing at the expense of certain brain cells) is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumor, since it represents about a third of diagnosed cases. Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive type of glioma. The annual incidence of glioblastoma worldwide is approximately 3 to 4 cases per 100,000 population.
