A Swiss pharmaceutical company, Roche Holdings claims its cancer drug Avastin helps patients live longer. Phase III studies on women who have ovarian cancer found that Avastin when combined with chemotherapy then continued independently allows the patient to live longer without any progression of the disease. The Avastin users had a longer life expectancy than patients who received only chemotherapy. The drug company has filed to get the drug approved in Europe and will also attempt approval for use in the US. The drugs approval in the states may not be possible because the side-affects can have can be life-threatening which potentially outweigh its benefits in comparison to its cost. Avastin treatment can cost up to eight thousand dollars a month.
Avastin is used to treat many other cancers like lung cancer, colorectal cancer and kidney cancer and works by blocking the growth of blood vessels that feed cancer cells. Findings from the clinical trials will be released later in 2011. They have not stated whether the cancer drug can help patients who suffer from mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer which affects the outside lining of the lungs, called the mesothelium and is usually fatal.
Unlike some cancers that have unknown causes, mesothelioma has a direct link to asbestos. Asbestos was a commonly used material in construction until it was banned in mid-eighties. Victims of mesothelioma worked very closely with asbestos, either on ships, as plumbers or builders but until findings are revealed, there is no indication Avastin will help patients with this type of lung cancer.
