Avastin bevacizumab cancer data

The GE Healthcare unit of General Electric Co. (NYSE:GE, Fairfield, Conn.) and colleagues reported data from a model-based study showing that biomarker-directed use of Avastin, in which an in vivo biomarker test is used to measure tumor response and guide treatment decisions, in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment of mCRC could save an average of $33,000 per patient and add 4 quality-adjusted progression-free survival days per patient. The researchers said the results were driven by targeting anti-angiogenic therapy to patients shown to respond and by discontinuing the addition of Avastin to standard chemotherapy regimens in biomarker-identified non-responders.

The researchers created a decision-based model to estimate the incremental effect of adding Avastin to irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin; FOLFIRI; 5-FU and leucovorin; and FOLOFOX/ XELOX chemotherapy regimens. The model assumed sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 95%, respectively, for the biomarker technology 10 days after starting treatment with Avastin, while survival data were estimated through a meta-analysis of 4 clinical trials. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated from literature and costs were based on Medicare reimbursement and expert opinion. The study was conducted by GE Healthcare in partnership with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Center for Sustainable Health at Arizona State University. Data were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago. ...