Avastin bevacizumab regulatory update

The U.K.'s NICE issued final guidance recommending against 3 second-line therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The products are Erbitux cetuximab from Merck KGaA; Avastin bevacizumab from Roche; and Vectibix panitumumab from Amgen. NICE said there were uncertainties in the evidence for the drugs' effectiveness. The decision is in line with a November final appraisal determination (see BioCentury, Dec. 5, 2011). ...