Drug News
Avastin/Tarceva combo doesn’t boost lung cancer survival
By Ben Wasserman
Oct 7, 2008 - 8:11:54 PM

If you like the article, could you please do us a favor? Just tell Google News Services that you like foodconsumer.org included in Google News Services. Inclusion in googlenewsservices means many more people can read articles like this. Thanks.
------

Tuesday October 7, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- A phase III trial found a combination of Avastin and Tarceva did not extend lung cancer patients' survival, Roche Holding AG and Genentech was cited by Reuters as saying Monday.

Both drugs are targeted medicines. It was thought that the "smart bombs" that kill cancer cells while leaving healthy ones uninjured together may be more effective than Tarceva alone.

Both drugs could cost $12,000 a month. Without evidence showing that both drugs extend survival of lung cancer patients, using the drugs may not be an option.