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04/02/2006: "Cancer's New "Miracle" Drug"

A few weeks ago, the Today show ran a segment on a new “miracle” cancer drug. And last week, the Contra Costa Times ran a big article on it. History has shown that the media plays up any new drug that “claims” to be successful in the war on cancer. I have had a few calls and emails asking if I am on the “new cure.”

This drug is called Avastin, patented by Genentech. Avastin is what is known as a monoclonal antibody, an angiogenesis inhibitor, or targeted drug. These are designed to go after specific molecular targets, leaving normal cells untouched. They are the “smart bombs” of oncology. This drug is designed to cut off the growth of new blood capillaries, thus denying tumors the nutrients and oxygen that they need for growth. In the beginning of 2004 the FDA gave Genentech approval to market Avastin as a first-line treatment to patients with advanced, metastatic carcinoma of the colon. (That would be me.) Thus began my research.

In highly controlled trials (choosing only select patients), Avastin when combined with the standard chemotherapy was able to extend the average patient’s life from 14.6 months to 17.9 months. The trial during the previous year showed no improvement in life-span. The side effects are even more discouraging. From Genentech’s web site, “Administration [of Avastin] can result in the development of gastrointestinal perforation as well as wound dehiscence, in some instances resulting in fatality.” (Dehiscence is the spontaneous splitting open of an organ or wound.) Their web site also states, “Four months after discontinuation of [Avastin] therapy, persistent hypertension was present in 18 of 26 patients.” Oh yes, and up to 14% of some patients in one trial experienced Congestive Heart Failure. All this and it cost a lot too! Avastin costs my insurance company about $5,000 each month for my treatment.

Avastin is supposed to be a “kindler and gentler” chemo drug as it is targeting the cancer cells. All other chemotherapy drugs work by killing all fast growing cells. Since cancer cells fall in this category, the hope is that we kill the cancer before chemo kills the patient. So why are we so excited about this new drug? I think we are so desperate for a treatment that shows promise; we sing its praises easily. That, or the drug companies have great PR departments. So for my own health, please don’t be surprised when I decide to take a break from chemo for a while and seek out alternative treatments.