FDA Rejects Breast Cancer Drug Avastin

The Food and Drug Administration has banned the cancer drug Avastin as a treatment for breast cancer patients. The news comes as a shock to oncology patients currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments with the pre-approved injectable FDA drug.

Avastin is currently the best selling drug among oncology providers, according to an ABC News report. And now that drug manufacturer Roche has weaned patients on to the cancer-inhibiting drug, the FDA is taking it away.

Chemotherapy patients were lured into trying Avastin as part of an FDA study. Were patients told the treatment -- even if effective -- might get discontinued at any moment? Did the FDA feed breast cancer patients false hope?

While the FDA claims the drug doesn't effectively treat breast cancer, some patients would disagree. After a cancer diagnosis, any medications that improve and sustain quality of life could be deemed successful. Avastin is still FDA approved to treat other forms of cancer.

Join the Conversation	You are following this conversation | stop following follow this conversation by email