Overall, the data represent medical care of 4,000 patients and show that addition of bevacizumab to a variety of chemotherapy regimens improves treatment efficacy --- specifically, extending time to progression of disease--- without an increase in toxicity.

BEAT and BRiTE are two phase IV, open label, multi-center studies of patients with advanced colorectal cancer who received bevacizumab in addition to first-line chemotherapy.

BEAT is a phase IV trial that has enrolled 1927 patients from 41 countries worldwide. Patients are receiving bevacizumab with chemotherapy; the most common regimens are FOLFOX, CAPOX, FOLFIRI and capecitabine. Efficacy data from the BEAT trial continue to be evaluated.

BRiTE is a large, community-based observational registry that has enrolled 1968 patients across the US. Patients receive bevacizumab with chemotherapy; the most common regimens are FOLFOX, FOLFIRI and IFL. Current efficacy data from the BRiTE study show a median progression free survival of 10.2 months independent of chemotherapy regimen. Safety data have reported that serious adverse events were seen in 12 percent of patients. Postoperative bleeding/wound healing complications in 1.2 percent, gastrointestinal perforation occurred in 1.7 percent, bleeding in 1.9 percent and arterial thromboembolic events in 2.1 percent.

"In multiple large, well controlled studies, Avastin has consistently demonstrated significant survival benefits in colorectal cancer," said Mark Kozloff, MD, Clinical Associate, Department of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago. "These new data are very important as they confirm that the results shown in earlier randomized trials hold true in the real world setting. Moreover, they demonstrate that Avastin can be used in combination with a wide range of chemotherapy treatments. This is a real advance as it widens treatment options for physicians and patients and bolsters their hope of overcoming the disease."