Study examines effects of pairing Avastin, Tarceva for lung cancer therapy

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. A randomized phase III study to evaluate the drug Avastin in combination with Tarceva in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer did not improve overall survival compared to Tarceva combined with a placebo, Genentech and OSI Pharmaceuticals announced Monday.

Median survival rates were similar in both arms of the study, titled BeTa Lung. No new indications of the drugs’ safety appeared, and adverse effects were consistent with other clinical trials evaluating Avastin (bevacizumab) and Tarceva (erlotinib) for use in patients with NSCLC.

“We are disappointed this study did not show an improvement in survival for patients with advanced lung cancer who have a poor prognosis and a disease that is extremely difficult to treat,” said Dr. Hal Barron, the senior vice president for development and chief medical officer of Genentech, in a statement. “The results of this study do not affect Avastin or Tarceva?s approved indications in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.”