Avastin in breast cancer

Implications: “On face value the data look very good,” said Buzdar, who voted with the slim (5-4) majority against the drug. In the study that was the basis of Genentech’s application, Avastin appeared to slow the progress of the disease. advanced breast cancer who had already tried other drugs. He said he’s never used Avastin to treat breast cancer, but he knows other doctors do, despite the lack of FDA’s blessing. “Physicians always want to do something for the patient,” he said. But he believes the panel’s vote “will make them think twice” before they try Avastin for breast cancer. “This drug is a good drug,” Buzdar added. “It does work in a number of other cancers where it not only prolongs control of the disease but it keeps more patients alive. In breast cancer, it has not panned out.”

Analysis: Most of oncologist on FDA ODAC pannel voted yes except one.
Other No votes are from persons who is not a physcian.
FDA  still can approved Avastin in breast cancer. But probabilty is very low.
Avastin is approved in Europe for last 18 month on same data.
In my opinion Avstin may get conditonal approval in Feb 2008