Glioblastoma patients gain no survival benefit from Avastin

MEDPAGE TODAY – Feb. 20, 2014 – A pair of randomized trials testing the benefits of Avastin added to radiation and chemotherapy for glioblastoma showed increased progression-free survival but no overall increase in survival. The studies were published in the Feb. 20, 2014 New England Journal of Medicine.

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Avastin increases survival in women with advanced cervical cancer

MEDPAGE TODAY– Feb. 20, 2014 – In a trial of 452 patients with advanced cervical cancer that has recurred or did not respond to initial therapy, the women given Avastin in addition to combination chemotherapy survived an average of 17 months. That compared to 13.3 months for women treated with the combination chemotherapy alone. The study was published in the Feb. 20 New England Journal of Medicine.

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FDA Oks leukemia drug

FEB 12, 2014 – FDA RELEASE – As part of its accelerated approval process the FDA approved ibrutinib (Imbruvica) as a second-line therapy for people whose chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has relapsed or did not respond to standard therapy. The approval is based on a 48-patient clinical trial that tested whether or not tumors responded to the drug. Whether the drug improves survival or provides other benefits has not been determined.

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