Avastin and OVCA

[Terrin2]

Atttached, is info regarding why Avastin Trial was ended for OvarianGenentech Halts Trial Testing Avastin in Ovarian Cancer Patients Because 11% Developed Holes in Bowel Lining
Main Category: Cancer / Oncology News
Article Date: 29 Sep 2005 - 0:00am (PST)
| email this article | printer friendly | view or write opinions |  
  


Useful Article?
Digg It
Del.icio.us
NewsVine
Reddit



San Francisco-based pharmaceutical company Genentech on Friday announced it has stopped enrollment in a Phase II clinical trial testing the colon cancer drug Avastin among ovarian cancer patients after 11% of the patients developed hazardous holes in their stomach and intestinal lining, Reuters reports. Of the 44 patients enrolled in the trial -- which is testing Avastin as an ovarian cancer treatment -- Genentech said they observed five people with potentially fatal holes in their stomach or intestine lining, also known as gastrointestinal perforations. The trial involved ovarian cancer patients whose tumors had spread to other parts of the body and who had not benefited from at least three rounds of chemotherapy (Pierson, Reuters, 9/23). The decision to discontinue enrollment in the trial was made in consultation with FDA, and study investigators were notified of the decision on Friday (Genentech release, 9/23). Company spokesperson Neil Cohen stressed that the testing will be continued with patients who decide that the potential benefits of the drug outweigh the risks (Johnson, San Jose Mercury News, 9/24). He also said Genentech will move forward with plans for a large study of Avastin among women with ovarian cancer but added that the patients will be at an earlier stage of treatment (Tansey, San Francisco Chronicle, 9/24). Testing of the drug -- which is FDA approved for the treatment of colon cancer -- had resulted in few bowel tears in previous trials involving ovarian cancer patients, according to Genentech (Gellene, Los Angeles Times, 9/24). About 100 different clinical trials testing Avastin for different indications are ongoing and about 20 of those involve ovarian cancer patients. Cohen said, "[T]his is the first time I've seen where we've stopped enrollment" (San Jose Mercury News, 9/24). Avastin is the only drug on the market that attacks tumors by starving their blood supply, according to the AP/Chicago Sun-Times (Marchione, AP/Chicago Sun-Times, 9/24).

"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation .

[SimplyStar]

Put it down to age  girls.  I mean Rebel Spirit  instead of urbangal in the last post.  Sorry.

[SimplyStar]

Look up  the web site for Natures Sunshine, prices are fair I think. I am so deep into this research.  Know more about T cells now then I do my own name. Daughters blood work is very low. The anemia has set in big time now. CA125  was 12. If only I knew what were reputable companies  for the herbs etc. We are willing to try anything to boost her immune system. Onoco wants her to take a flu shot  but she is scared too. So many people having reactions to them. I wrote to both my Senators and asked that they push the bill for research to the front. If bone marrow transplants work on bone cancer, would it work to boost the T cell production?  I know there is a huge chance of infection with the transplants  but we just gotta get them little buggers  working harder. Can't wait to hear what urbangal has to say about her treatment. First time I have been down in the dumps since the initial dx, I am so scared for my daughter.

[Jatoo]

Dear Amy:

I'm sorry on your recurrence. It's not easy, but there is always hope. And at least your's returned more than six(6) months which means you are not platinum-resistant. The reason why your onc put you back on carbo/taxol.

I'm just looking for an alternative drug besides chemo that can be "smarter" than ovarian cancer. And the best way is to kill their food supplies, to starve them to death. If our chemo drugs have an ally in antiangiogeneses drugs then we are on our way to finding a complete cure.

I hope the best for you Amy. I will include you in my prayers and please pray for my wife too.

Thanks
Jatoo

[Kimchi]

Wondering if your wife is still taking the mushroom all this time or has she stopped it and why? I am taking it everyday with 3000-5000mg of vitamin C and believe that it has helped me alot especially with side effects which i have not experienced any except the hair lose.
I hope that she will be able to have a break from all this chemo/medication and rest and build up her body during that time.

[Jatoo]

It's funny but my wife reminded me about getting some Reishi mushrooms again. But the one we used which was tested to shrink tumors and FDA approved in China has a brand name and is very expensive here in LA like $500 for a month's supply. Although I found a cheaper supplier in our area he needed me to make an appt. So it was taking me time to get it.

I'm glad you are doing okay and have found company in this forum.

Thanks for asking.
Jatoo

[Terrin2]

Your right, I agree, just wanted to make sure you were knew about the article.
Sorry about your wife, I am sure they will help her.   I started chemo again yesterday.  Just after six months. Today had to go for the Neulasta injection.  I do understand what you and you wife are going thru.   Amy

[Jatoo]

Dear Terrin2:

Thanks for this post. I am aware of this article. We actually ask pointblank the Onc recommending the study and she said that intestine perforation is 6% chance of happening. It is a risk one has to take. But so are chemo drugs. My wife was admitted to the emergency with Neutropenic fever with having very low blood counts while taking Doxil (not that Doxil is not good, it shrunk her tumor but developed resistance). But what do you do if you have recurrence and you desperately need a drug to stop the tumor from growing? She also needs a break from chemo. The most she ever had after operated in Jume of 2005 was three(3) short months. What is better to stop from chemo or to seek a drug that can kill the tumor? After all some patients refuse chemo treatments at all.

The clinical trials of antiangiogenesis drugs not necessarily Avastin must have been given permission to continue (with possible changing of doses) because it is all over the place and Oncs are recommending them including our Dr. Goodman of the medical side of this forum (See her answer to the post under Chemo options).

If she will be tumor-progression free for at least six(6) months that would be remarkable because then she can always go back to the chemo drug and chemo drugs work better again the longer you are out from it.

Jatoo