FDA approves use of bevacizumab for patients whose colorectal cancer has worsened despite previous treatment with the drug

Source: Reuters Area: News The FDA has approved the use of bevacizumab for patients whose colorectal cancer has worsened despite previous treatment with the drug. The new use will allow patients first treated with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy to be treated again with it in combination with a different chemotherapy regimen.   The clinical data to support this indication come from the phase 3 ML18147 study in 820 patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer progressing up to 3 months after discontinuing first-line bevacizumab plus chemotherapy. They were randomised to second-line chemotherapy with (n= 409) or without (= 411) bevacizumab 2.5 mg/kg per week equivalent (either 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks, IV). The choice between oxaliplatin-based or irinotecan-based second-line chemotherapy depended on the first-line regimen (switch of chemotherapy). The study reported that maintenance of VEGF inhibition with bevacizumab plus standard second-line chemotherapy beyond ...
Source: NeLM - News - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news