NCI Cancer Bulletin: Design Dilemma: The Debate over Using Placebos in Cancer Clinical Trials (reference to GOG 218 Avastin/Ovarian Cancer)

ESMO - ICON 7 - Avastin Shows Promise For Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Further evidence that Avastin improved progression free survival in women with ovarian cancer was presented by researchers at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress in Milan, Italy. A new Phase III Avastin (ICON7) trial showed again that women with chemotherapy-naïve ovarian cancer had better progression free survival compared to women only on chemotherapy. A chemotherapy-naïve patient is one who has never received chemotherapy.

ICON7 is the second Phase III clinical trial on Avastin for ovarian cancer treatment. It compared chemotherapy-naïve women on Avastin plus chemotherapy versus similar patients on just chemotherapy. PFS (progression free survival) was approximately 27% better among those in the Avastin group; this corresponded to a 21% drop in the chances of cancer progression to death, the investigators explained. GOG0218, the first Phase III pivotal Avastin trial, had demonstrated earlier this year that Avastin plus chemotherapy and then alone gave ovarian cancer patients a 54% higher chance of progression free survival compared to women on chemotherapy alone.The Avastin dosage was smaller in the ICON7 trial, which also lasted less time....cont'd

Prime Oncology Clinical Spotlight: Chicago/Dr's Monk/Birrer - GOG128

prIME Oncology invites you to view important Clinical SpotlightsSM on new ovarian cancer data just released from the 2010 Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago.
		View an expert analysis with Gini Fleming, MD, and Bradley Monk, MD, and a supplemental perspective and discussion with Bradley Monk, MD, and Michael Birrer, MD, PhD, regarding newly released data concerning targeting angiogenesis in the treatment of ovarian cancer as reported in the GOG-0218 trial. An eNewsflash and downloadable slide deck highlighting these new data accompany these interviews.
Click here to view the interviews, eNewsflash, and downloadable slide deck from this data release.

Oncology Videos - ASCO 2010 Highlights (American Society of Clinical Oncology) Dr. Bradley Monk MD of the University of California Irvine talks about gynecological oncology, GOG 218, ovarian cancer, and angiogenesis

Note: Ascites/Avastin as single agent and or chemo GOG 218

June 8, 2010 SGO Statement on GOG 218 Phase III Trial Study Results (Avastin)

"Results of a placebo controlled randomized Phase III clinical trial involving the addition of bevacizumab to standard chemotherapy treatment in women with newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer have recently been reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Three treatment arms were included in the trial known as GOG 218. These included 1) standard intravenous paclitaxel and carboplatin 2) intravenous paclitaxel and carboplatin in conjunction with bevacizumab and 3) intravenous paclitaxel, carboplatin and bevacizumab with continuation of bevacizumab as a single agent for an additional 10 months (maintenance). The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists commends the Gynecologic Oncology Group, their investigators and the many patients who participated in this study for contributing valuable data advancing the evidence-based management of these diseases. The main finding was a significant improvement in progression free survival (PFS) with the addition of bevacizumab to upfront intravenous chemotherapy when the bevacizumab was continued as a maintenance regimen after chemotherapy. This improvement in PFS was 3.8 months (10.3 for standard chemotherapy, 14.1 months for the maintenance regimen). The authors report that it is too early to determine how this approach will impact long-term patient survival. The results of this study have been featured in various professional and consumer media outlets, causing physicians and patients to seek guidance regarding the implications. SGO encourages patients and providers to discuss risks, benefits and costs associated with use of bevacizumab (Avastin) as a component of upfront treatment and maintenance therapy."

GOG 218 Phase III Study Showed Avastin-Based Regimen Helped Women with Advanced Ovarian Cancer Live Longer Without Their Disease Worsening | news

Note: more detailed information in this article