The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance believes it is important to inform the community of the following information:
On Thursday, February 25, Genentech issued a press release announcing preliminary results from a large controlled Phase III clinical trial of the use of bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with previously untreated advanced ovarian, fallopian or primary peritoneal cancer. There were 1,873 women included in this trial. The study was designed to measure progression free survival (PFS), the length of time during and after treatment in which a patient is living with a disease that does not get worse.
As reported by Genentech, trial results indicate that there is some improvement (time is yet undisclosed) in progression free survival for women treated initially with chemotherapy and Avastin and maintained on Avastin alone, in comparison to women who received chemotherapy alone.
No results related to overall survival data were reported. Preliminary analysis of safety data showed only the adverse events noted in previous studies.
Although the actual trial data will not be released at earliest until the ASCO meeting in June, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance is encouraged by the indication that maintenance use of Avastin can prolong PFS. Until data is released, evaluation of the significance of the trial findings cannot take place.
Avastin works to stop the growth of blood vessels that can serve to nourish tumors. It has been previously approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in some cases of colorectal, lung, breast and kidney cancers. There are more than 30 private and public studies underway for use of bevacizumab in ovarian cancer.
The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance is committed to following and exploring information about the results of this trial as it is released.
For more information about the study, please visit www.genentech.com.
For more information about clinical trials, please click here or call (800) 535-1682.
The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance is supportive of trials that seek to prolong PFS, Overall Survival, or enhance the quality of life for those with or at high risk of getting ovarian cancer.
