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The breast cancer drug Avastin appears to be secure in Europe.
The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor will hold its position as a treatment option for women with metastatic breast cancer, when used in combination with paclitaxel, the European Commission has confirmed.
The decision comes after the Committeefor Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) said there is convincing evidence that Avastin plus paclitaxel lengthens survival without disease in women withmetastatic breast cancer.
“We are pleased that the European Commission is continuing tosupport Avastin in combination with paclitaxel,” said Hal Barron M.D.,Chief Medical Officer and Head, Global Product Development at Roche.
“This isimportant news for thousands of women living with incurableHER2-negative breast cancer in the European Union.”
Paclitaxel is the chemotherapy most frequently used in Europe andalso most frequently partnered with Avastin for the first-linetreatment of metastatic breast cancer.
The Commission also followed aCHMP recommendation to remove the combination of Avastin with docetaxelfor the first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer from thelabel.
The updated label is effective immediately. The changes to theEuropean breast cancer label do not affect the other approved uses ofAvastin across several types of cancer.
