Avastin Struggles

Avastin the so-called colon cancer wonder drug may be in for a blow as
studies show the drug has not effectively treated post-surgery patients from
getting colon cancer. The drug completely wore off right as patients
stopped taking it. Researchers were thrilled at the prospects of Avastin a
few months ago, as trials showed hope for patients in their early stages of
cancer treatment, however the recent results are not as good as they had
initially hoped.

Reuters reported, "The trial was designed to show whether use of Avastin
plus chemotherapy for six months, followed by six months of Avastin alone,
results in more patients being cancer free after three years compared with
just treating them with chemotherapy. "As patients come off treatment, the
events come back," Bishop said. "The one-year duration of treatment was
insufficient to derive clinical benefit."

The findings have been presented at the American Society of Clinical
Oncology where more research will also be presented about the new trials.
Avastin is known to cost over $4,000 so now physicians are still encouraging
the use of preventative measures like virtual colonoscopies for early
detection of colorectal cancer.

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