Phase III Study Showed Tarceva in Combination With Avastin as First-Line Maintenance Therapy Improved Progression-Free Survival in Advanced Lung Cance

Genentech Inc. reports that a Phase III study (ATLAS) of Tarceva® (erlotinib) in combination with Avastin® (bevacizumab) as maintenance therapy following initial treatment with Avastin plus chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) met its primary endpoint.

According to the announcement, the study was stopped early on the recommendation of an independent data safety monitoring board after a pre-planned interim analysis showed that combining Tarceva and Avastin significantly extended the time patients lived without their disease advancing, as defined by progression-free survival (PFS), compared to Avastin plus placebo.