Avastin pulled: No real benefit for breast cancer patients

GAITHERSBURG, Maryland (Reuters) - A U.S. panel urged officials to revoke the drug Avastin’s approval for breast cancer after concluding studies showed insufficient benefit for patients.

If regulators follow that advice, the drug’s maker, Roche, could no longer promote Avastin (bevacizumab) for that use in the United States.

Doctors still could prescribe Avastin for breast cancer as it would retain approval for colon, lung, brain and kidney cancers, but sales likely would fall.

Members of a Food and Drug Administration panel said they were not convinced Avastin provided worthwhile benefits in advanced breast cancer. The drug did not extend patients’ lives but delayed cancer growth by up to three months.

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