European Trial Slows Genentech's Avastin

Genentech's(DNA Quote) cancer drug Avastin failed to prolong survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, according to updated results from a European clinical trial released Monday.

Genentech's most important cancer drug, Avastin is already approved as a treatment for non-small cell lung cancer based on a separate study conducted in the U.S., which showed that Avastin, used in combination with chemotherapy, prolonged patient survival by about two months, or 25%.

The new European data comes from a study called AVAIL that was conducted by Swiss drugmaker Roche, which sells Avastin in Europe. While the lack of a survival benefit in the AVAIL study does not put Avastin lung cancer revenue at risk entirely, some doctors may re-evaluate how they use the drug when treating lung cancer patients. ...