Avastin Alarm

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials revealed treatment-related fatalities were 1.5 times higher for combination treatment with Avastin (bevacizumab) and chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone. The review, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, included 16 trials with 10,217 patients. Overall, treatment-related death occurred in 2.5% of the Avastin population. The authors maintain the potential survival benefits may still outweigh the fatality risk when evaluating treatment options. Avastin is FDA-approved for the treatment of colon, kidney, brain, and lung cancers; however, the agency is in the process of revoking its breast cancer indication.