Bloomberg is reporting that Genentech, err Roche, won backing of a U.S. advisory panel 10-0 to expand use of Avastin in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The vote will now go to the FDA and though the agency can go against the panel, it typically follows its lead.

There were some concerns about the drug’s efficacy in GBM and some experts questioned whether brain scans were enough to show Avastin slowed tumor progression.

As Bloomberg reports, the day was filled with company presentations, physician reports and patient testimony.

Frederick Barker, associate visiting neurosurgeon of the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and a member of the panel, the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee said:

“My vote is a bet on the success of the randomized trial that is planned.”

Richard Oropeza of Williamsburg, Virginia, a retired program manager for the U.S. Navy was diagnosed in February 2006 and was given nine to 12 months to live:

“If it wasn’t for Avastin, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Roche will now conduct a larger study to get more definitive data on Avastin’s effect in GBM and better characterize its efficacy in the disease.

Image from bioethicsbytes

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