Roche announced today that its product known as Avastin (bevacizumab) has been approved by the European Union for treatment of ovarian cancer. When used in combination with standard chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) it will be part of a front-line (first-line following surgery) regime.
Ovarian Cancer is the 8th most common cancer with nearly quarter of a million women diagnosed around the world and around 3 out of 5 of those dying from the disease.
The approval of Avastin marks a major advance in the treatment of ovarian cancer, which until now has only had limited treatment options.
Treatment usually involves removal of the tumor(s) and chemotherapy follow up, but unfortunately, ovarian cancer is a major killer because it's often diagnosed late and may have already spread.
Ovarian cancer is associated with high concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein associated with tumor growth and spread. Avastin precisely inhibits VEGF, high levels, which are associated with ascites development (excess fluid in the body cavity), disease worsening, and a poorer prognosis in ovarian cancer patients.
