Avastin(R) Shows Unprecedented Benefits in Colorectal Cancer Patients, Irrespective of K-Ras Gen...( - For Non-U...),Health

- For Non-US Media Only - Avastin is the Only Biologic Proven to Extend Life in Patients With

Normal K-Ras Gene

BASEL, Switzerland, June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Data presented today at the 10th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer (WCGC) in Barcelona confirm that Avastin (bevacizumab) significantly improves survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer regardless of whether they have mutation in a gene known as K-Ras. This outcome is important because other biologic combinations have been found to be ineffective in patients with a mutation in the K-Ras gene, which is found in up to half of patients with colorectal cancer.

Analyses of the randomized, controlled phase III AVF2107 study, showed Avastin-based treatment resulted in:

Unprecedented efficacy in patients with normal K-Ras gene (wild type)

-- a 82% increase in the time patients live without their disease getting worse (7.4 vs 13.5 months) vs chemotherapy alone

-- a 57% increase in overall survival (17.6 vs. 27.7 months) vs chemotherapy alone confirming that Avastin is the only biologic with proven survival benefit in this patient group

-- a significant increase in response rate; 60% compared to 37% in patients receiving chemotherapy alone

Significantly enhanced efficacy in patients with K-Ras mutation

-- a 69% increase in the time patients live without their disease getting worse (5.5 vs 9.4 months) vs chemotherapy alone

-- these results show that Avastin-based therapy is the only biologic option with proven benefits for patients with K-Ras mutation

"These data demonstrate that the addition of Avastin to standard chemotherapy is active for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with both K-Ras wild type and mutant tumours," commented Dr. Herbert Hurwitz, Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and principal investigator of AVF2107. "The high response rate, PFS, a
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