ESMO

Stockholm, Sweden—The indefinite use of bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with re lapsed ovarian cancer got another boost at the 2011 European Multi disciplinary Cancer Congress, with a subanalysis of the phase 3 OCEANS trial showing consistent benefit across subgroups.

Stockholm, Sweden—Two expensive drugs may be better than 1 for maintenance treatment of advanced non– small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to a study at the 2011 European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress.

Stockholm, Sweden—An investigational alpha-pharmaceutical not only prevented skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with prostate cancer with bone metastases in a phase 3 study presented at the 2011 European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress, but it also improved overall survival.

Stockholm, Sweden—The cost of cancer therapies is a growing concern not only for patients but also for providers and payers. Addressing the cost burden for those involved in cancer care is becoming a priority that cannot be avoided with the growing role of targeted therapies in oncology.

Stockholm, Sweden—With recognition of common tumor mutations and a pipeline full of biologic agents that target them, personalized medicine should be all but a fait accompli. But one expert told attendees at the European Society for Medical Oncology’s 2011 European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress, “We may be overpromising our patients.”

Milan—Continuing first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer until disease progression significantly improves overall (OS) and progression free survival (PFS), according to a meta-analysis reported at the 35th ESMO Congress.

Milan—Because the toxicity profiles for the 3 monoclonal antibodies used in treating metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) differ, there are substantial differences in the cost of treating side effects, according to research presented at the 35th ESMO Congress.

Milan—Men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) gained 4 months in overall survival (OS) when treated with the novel antiandrogen abiraterone acetate, data from a large randomized trial showed.