Fight Colorectal Cancer is partnering together with 23andme and Genentech to help researchers better understand if patients’ genes play a role in how they respond to treatments they receive for their colorectal cancer.  This provides patients a new opportunity to participate in genetics research.

You are invited to participate in the InVite Study.

The InVite Study aims to enroll 1,000 individuals with certain types of advanced cancer who received Avastin before 2013.

In order to participate you simply submit a saliva sample and complete some online surveys.

The InVite Study will allow you to:

• Learn more about your health and genetic ancestry
• Take a direct role in research that may benefit you and other patients with advanced metastatic disease
• Participate in web-based research from the comfort of your own home
• Be kept informed of the discovery process as research advances

The InVite Study will enhance research by:

• Bringing together a large group of people who have taken Avastin to better understand if there are any specific genetic differences between people who do well on Avastin and those who do not
• Understanding if new technologies like genetic analysis and the internet offer a new way to conduct research and help researchers learn how to better use medicines
• Expanding access to people who want to participate in research from home
• Removing some of the time and cost barriers that can slow progress in other types of cancer research

To participate you’ll need to:

• Enroll and consent through the 23andMe website 
• Provide a saliva sample and send it back in the prepaid box
• Take online surveys by signing in to your 23andMe account
• Answer follow-up questions every 3 months in your 23andMe account

To learn more about the InVite Study and how you may participate, read more here.

Have more questions? Check out the InVite study Q&A.

If you have further questions, please contact us directly at the Fight Colorectal Cancer Answer Line at 1-877-427-2111 or email us.

For patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new use of Avastin® (bevacizumab): It can be continued as part of ‘second-line’ combination therapy, even if it was used in first-line therapy.

When stage IV cancer progresses despite use of Avastin plus either FOLFOX (5FU plus Eloxatin® or oxalyplatin) or FOLFIRI (5FU plus Camptosar® or irinotecan)-based chemotherapy, the FDA has now approved continued use of Avastin when second-line treatment switches to the other chemotherapy.

Avastin is a monoclonal antibody (a “targeted drug”) that helps prevent a cancer from stimulating growth of new blood-vessels that then help the tumor get bigger.

The FDA’s approval is based on a large, randomized Phase III trial which showed that median overall survival was 11.2 months when patients continued Avastin along with the second-line chemotherapy, compared to a 9.8-month median survival with just the second-line chemotherapy without Avastin. Participants in the trial averaged about 63 years old, and were able to carry out normal activities or at least housework or office work (i.e., ECOG performance status of 0-1).

There was no significant increase in adverse events (such as worse side effects) in those continuing Avastin, versus those who stopped the drug for second-line treatment.

FDA approval for the new use clears the way for insurers to cover the drug’s use, which averages roughly $5,100 a month.

Sources: Jan. 25, 2013 FDA press release; “Avastin Wins New Colorectal Cancer Indication,” Jan. 24 2013 MedPage Today ; “Genentech’s Avastin approved for wider use in colorectal cancer,” Jan. 24 San Francisco Business Times.

Disclosure: Fight Colorectal Cancer accepts  unrestricted educational grants and charitable donations from Genentech, the manufacturers of Avastin. Fight Colorectal Cancer has ultimate control over website content.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center made a very public announcement—and explanation—today in a New York Times op-ed about why they will not offer the new drug Zaltrap® (ziv-aflibercept) to its metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

The authors, all world-renowned cancer specialists at the world’s oldest cancer center, in an op-ed headlined “In Cancer Care, Cost Matters,” essentially challenged other cancer centers to take action where politicians fear to tread.

“We recently made a decision that should have been a no-brainer,” wrote Drs. Peter B. Bach, Leonard B. Saltz and Robert E. Wittes. “The drug, Zaltrap, has proved to be no better than a similar medicine we already have for advanced colorectal cancer, while its price—at $11,063 on average for a month of treatment—is more than twice as high.” Read the rest of this entry »

Continuing Avastin into second-line chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer when tumors begin to grow larger or new tumors appear (progression) improves both survival time and the time until further progression according to Phase III clinical trial results that will be reported this Sunday morning, June 3, at ASCO 2012 in Chicago

Study results were previewed in an ASCO Press Briefing yesterday.

Overall survival time increased by 19% with Avastin compared to a switch to a new chemotherapy alone. Time until cancer progressed fell 32%. Serious side effects remained similar. Read the rest of this entry »

The Food and Drug Adminstration and Genentech have reported that counterfeit Avastin is being distributed in the United States. The counterfeit medicine does not contain
bevacizumab, Avastin’s active ingredient.

The packaging is different from genuine Avastin marketed here by Genentech. It includes a Roche logo which isn’t on the real drug, along with different codes.

Avastin is not in shortage now, and there are adequate supplies to meet the need.

Patients being treated with Avastin are urged to let their doctors know immediately if they have unusual symptoms. Read the rest of this entry »