A meta-analysis published Tuesday in JAMA suggests that patients with cancer treated with Roche's Avastin (bevacizumab) in combination with chemotherapy were 46 percent more likely to die from drug-related adverse events than those patients treated with chemotherapy alone. However, the researchers noted that the overall rate of death was low, at about 2.5 percent, and that the benefits of the drug continue to outweigh its risks.
The review was based on an analysis of 16 previously published trials involving 10 217 patients with a variety of advanced solid tumours. The researchers noted a higher risk of fatal events observed among patients treated with Avastin in combination with taxanes or platinum agents, but no such increased risk observed with other agents. The most common causes of fatal events observed in the studies were haemorrhage, which accounted for 23.5 percent of fatalities, followed by neutropaenia at 12.2 percent and gastrointestinal tract perforation at 7.1 percent.
Charlotte Arnold, spokeswoman for Roche’s Genentech unit, said that the analysis included tumour types that Avastin isn't currently approved to treat. "Like other cancer medicines, Avastin has serious risks that are clearly described in its label and need to be considered by doctors and patients, in the context of its potential benefits," she remarked. "As we continue to study Avastin, our goal is to identify the people who will derive a more substantial benefit [from the drug]," Arnold explained.
Reference Articles
Roche’s Avastin plus chemotherapy linked to fatal side effects - (Bloomberg)
Treatment-related mortality with bevacizumab in cancer patients - (JAMA)
More evidence cancer drug Avastin may cause harm - (MSN)
New analysis suggests higher rate of fatal events with Avastin and chemotherapy (free preview) - (The Wall Street Journal)
Analysis details Avastin's rare fatal side effects - (The Washington Post)
Avastin increases fatal side effects in cancer patients, study shows - (USA Today)
Risk of death higher with Avastin than chemo alone - (Yahoo!News)
**Published in "First Word"
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