Fate of Avastin in early-stage cancer uncertain after second Phase III failure in colon cancer

Roche is facing further disappointment with its top selling drug, Avastin (bevacizumab) – which is so far approved for advanced/metastatic cancer in a number of tumour types – after the anti-angiogenic agent failed in its second Phase III trial in early-stage colon cancer to reduce the risk of disease recurrence. Meanwhile, the FDA has delayed its much-anticipated decision on Avastin's use in metastatic breast cancer after the company submitted new information.

The failure of Avastin to improve disease-free survival (DFS) in early-stage colon cancer in the Roche-sponsored AVANT trial looks likely to seal its fate in this indication (although Roche and...