Avastin Helpful for Some Breast Tumors

Women with a specific type of breast cancer may benefit from adding Avastin to the chemotherapy regimen. The research included more than 1,200 patients who were randomly assigned to receive Avastin or placebo in addition to Taxotere and other medications. The researchers found that for women with HER2-negative tumors, the response rate was significantly higher in women who got Avastin. It reached 35%, compared to 28% in those on placebo. The drug was not so helpful for women whose tumors were HER2-positive. Adding Avastin also increased the likelihood of reactions such as high blood pressure, heart problems and hand-foot syndrome, which consists of pain, redness and peeling on the palms and the soles.
[New England Journal of Medicine, Jan, 26, 2012]