On Friday the scientists from the Federal Health follow-up the research of a Roche’s Avastin – a drug for treating breast cancer – shows that it cannot extend the lives of a patient.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) endorsement for Roche’s Avastin last 2008, it passed the clinical trial test. The results of the test show that it can actually slow down the growth of tumors stimulated by cancer in the breast. However, the decision is much disputed because the standard of drugs for cancer patients must be proven that it can extend the lives of every patient that are using the drugs.
However, according to the two follow-ups that the FDA reviewed that the Avastin did not show any significant effects in extending the lives of breast cancer patients. The FDA added that the follow-up research about the drug also did not slow down the growth of tumors.
Moreover, the patients of breast cancer also feel side effects after taking Avastin. Fatigue, high blood pressure, and abnormality in the levels of white blood cells are some of the side effects of Avastin. The FDA also asked assistance to review some factors about the Avastin.
Furthermore, the FDA also has another option about this drug and it is to withdraw the approval of the drugs. The Avastin is the best and top selling cancer drugs last 2009 with a total profit of $5.9 billion dollars. It is also endorsed for brain, colon, lung and kidney cancers.
Roche’s headquarter was based in the Switzerland and the unit of biotech was based in South San Francisco. In addition, Avastin was the first medicine to contend cancer to stop the nutrients to reach the tumors. It is targeted as therapy and thought to promise those patients to eliminate chemotherapy. Sadly, it turns out not to reach the standard of the FDA.