Avastin has recently lost the approval to treat advanced breast cancer, but new research suggests may help women whose disease has not spread so widely. This is the first major test for the drug for breast cancer early, and doctors are cautiously pleased that demonstrate the potential to help.
In one study, just over one-third of women given Avastin plus chemotherapy for several months before the operation that there were signs of cancer in their breasts when doctors go to operate, versus 28 percent of women given chemotherapy alone. In another study, more than 18 percent in the Avastin plus chemotherapy had no breast cancer or the lymph in operation versus 15 percent of the people on chemotherapy alone.
Large caveat, though: the true test is whether Avastin increased survival, and it’s too soon to know that. The second study still keeps track of women’s health. The drug also has serious side effects.
“I don’t think it is unclear whether this will be the winner,” said Dr. Harry bear the University of Virginia Commonwealth Avastin. But he added, “I don’t think we’re done with it.”
The bears led a study, in the United States. Dr. Gunter von Minckwitz from Frankfurt University in Germany led to the other. The results in Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine.
