Adding Avastin May Add Years to Your Life

A study presented at the 40th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology found that colon cancer patients who added Avastin to their chemotherapy regimen fared better than those who used the standard regimen alone.

To determine the potential benefit of adding Avastin to a chemotherapy regimen, 813 patients with metastatic colon cancer were divided into two groups. Both groups were treated with a chemotherapy regimen containing irinotecan, 5-FU, and leucovorin. However, Avastin was added to the first group's regimen and a placebo was given to the second group.

The results indicated that patients with metastatic colon cancer may benefit greatly from adding Avastin to their standard chemotherapy regimen. Here's why:

• People who added Avastin lived about 23% longer that people who didn't, and
  
• The progression-free survival periods were 42% longer for people who added Avastin.

In light of these results, if you're receiving chemotherapy for metatstic colon cancer, you may want to see if your doctor thinks Avastin may be right for you.

Related Research:

• FOLFOX4 Drug Combo Proven Effective
  
• FOLFOX4 Plus Avastin: Worth a Try?

Related News:

• FDA Approval of Avastin as a Second-Line Treatment for Colon Cancer
  
• Avastin Approved in EU and Switzerland
  
• Avastin Warning
  
• FDA Approval of Avastin as a Colorectal Cancer Treatment

_{Source: Press Release: Genentech Presents Data From Broad Avastin Clinical Trial Program at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Meeting. Genentech. 8 Jun. 2004. 24 Aug. 2006 [http://www.gene.com/gene/news/press-releases/display.do?method=detail&id=7491].}