Dive Brief:
- CMHP (Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use) has stated that there is not enough evidence to suggest that Avastin (bevacizumab) represents a breakthrough treatment for glioblastoma.
- CMHP noted that there was was no improvement in overall survival.
- CMHP also noted that the benefits do not outweigh the risks based on available evidence.
Dive Insight:
Avastin is widely used in the U.S. for the treatment of colorectal, lung, and kidney cancers, as well as glioblastoma ---in conjunction with other treatments. However, CMHP has recommended to the EMA that Avastin not be approved for use in Europe for the treatment of glioblastoma. Approval would mean expanding the label, and CMHP feels that the clinical improvements reflected in the data are not clinically relevant, do not show an improvement in overall survival and are potentially risky, compared with potential benefits.