FDA revokes approval of Avastin for breast cancer

[Islander]

By Alina Selyukh and Anna Yukhananov
WASHINGTON | Fri Nov 18, 2011

(Reuters) - Drug regulators withdrew their approval of Roche's Avastin for breast cancer, saying the drug was not effective enough to justify its risks even if patients believe it has helped them live longer.
Reversing course on a drug that was approved for the disease in 2008, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said subsequent research did not confirm hopes that Avastin would help patients with advanced breast cancer live longer or improve quality of life.
The drug will remain on the market for other uses, such as treating types of colon, lung, kidney and brain cancer.
"This was a difficult decision," Hamburg said. "With so much at stake, patients and their doctors count on the FDA to ensure the drugs they use have been shown to be safe and effective for their intended use. Sometimes, the results of rigorous testing can be disappointing."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...e=ushealth1100

[mellowsong]

My only problem with this is taking it away from the woman already on it. Hope is a major factor in healing. Even if it has been shown not to extend life etc, many women on it believe it is helping and feel better because of that belief. Taking it away could be psychologically devastating. I agree it should be withdrawn but not taken away from those already on it. That seems cruel.

[Islander]

That's a good point that didn't occur to me. It has been shown to be effective in some instances, too.

[mellowsong]

@Islander; Yes, somewhere in the article it did say that they now need to do studies and figure out which women it is likely to help.