EU allow Avastin to treat cancer

Despite the fact that the US authorities have called into question the beneficial properties of this drug, the European Commission has given "good" for the use of Avastin for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Europe officially recognized it the most powerful tool in the fight against this disease, while US physicians believe that breast cancer Avastin has a placebo effect.

In July 2011, experts FDA (US) unanimously called for the cessation of the sale of this drug for the treatment of   breast cancer . According to them, from Avastin   more harm than good.

  "Even despite the fact that we have anecdotal evidence, any evidence of actual use of drugs at our disposal is still there - said committee member Natalie companies Portis. - We have not seen that Avastin   It prolongs survival and improves quality of life of cancer patients. "

In Europe, the statements made by overseas counterparts have not yet heard. This drug is used for a long time there in the last stages of the disease   breast cancer , Colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and kidney cancer. In addition, more than 30 countries for the treatment of Avastin kolyat glioblastoma (a type of brain tumor).
Avastin   - An antibody which specifically binds to and blocks the vascular endothelial growth factor. It helps control the size of the tumor and increase survival rates with minimal impact on side effects of chemotherapy - believe the drug manufacturers, Roche employees. However, this medicine has allowed the European Commission to apply only in conjunction with standard chemicals (carboplatin and paclitaxel), and only those who have recently had a serious operation.

"The approval of Avastin is the first major success in the treatment of newly diagnosed Ovarian Cancer - Expressed their views Hal Barron, MD, chief medical officer and head of global units for drug development at Roche. - Ovarian Cancer   - The fifth tumor type for which Avastin was approved in Europe. "

Ovarian Cancer   is the most dangerous among gynecological cancers. Each year, this diagnosis is about 220 thousands of women around the world. Unfortunately, more than half of them die prematurely.
Scientifically proven: With Avastin, patients with ovarian cancer women live longer than those by patients who are administered chemotherapy only.
Avastin recommended in addition to chemotherapy to 6 courses, followed by further that monotherapy drug until disease progression or a maximum of up to 15 months or until the development of unacceptable toxicity, whichever occurs first. Avastin recommended dose is 15 mg / kg body weight once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

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