Drug doesn't lengthen survival in some brain cancer patients

CHICAGO, June 2 (UPI) -- The drug Avastin combined with chemotherapy and radiation failed to prolong survival in patients with newly diagnosed brain cancer, U.S. researchers say.

In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to Genentech's drug Avastin -- now manufactured by Roche -- to treat patients with advanced brain cancer -- glioblastoma -- no longer responding to therapy, but a clinical study called the therapy into question because the drug is not helping patients live longer, TheStreet.com reported.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy died of glioblastoma in 2009.

Dr. Mark Gilbert of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center said since Avastin, or bevacizumab, could delay the growth of new tumors in those who already have brain cancer, but its inability to show a survival benefit would likely result in the drug not used in newly diagnosed brain cancer patients.

The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

In 2011, the FDA revoked the accelerated approval of Avastin for metastatic breast cancer because studies showed patients were not only not living longer, they were suffering additional side effects from the drug, TheStreet.com said.