Cancer - Avastin ResponseAvastin® (bevacizumab) is a cancer treatment that works by inhibiting angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels develop and carry vital nutrients to a tumor. This mechanism makes Avastin a valuable component of the treatment regimen for many types of cancer, including colorectal or lung cancer, the two cancers for which Avastin is currently approved. As a consequence, Avastin has become one of the largest selling cancer drugs ever. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 350,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal or lung cancer in 2007. We estimate that over 500,000 patients in the United States and Europe may be eligible for Avastin treatment annually. As with other cancer therapies, some patients respond well to Avastin treatment and others do not, and many patients who initially respond later develop resistance. Based on studies described in the manufacturer’s prescribing information, Avastin is effective in less than half of patients. At an annual cost between $50,000 and $100,000, we believe there is a compelling need for an early response test that would enable more efficient use of Avastin by encouraging responding patients to continue treatment, while enabling non-responders to switch more quickly to other therapies. |