FDA warns that Avastin can cause clots
The FDA has warned that Genentech's key cancer drug Avastin can increase the risk of deadly blood clots in arteries.
The FDA has warned that Genentech's key cancer drug Avastin can increase the risk of deadly blood clots in arteries.
The FDA warning said the drug could also increase the risk of chest pain, or angina after randomised trials showed up to 5% of colon cancer patients who took Avastin (bevacizumab) in combination with chemotherapy had a risk of serious arterial clots.
Genentech has sent a letter to healthcare providers about the serious risk and is updating package inserts to include the warning.
Clinical trials of the drug already indicated there was an increased risk of blood clots, which the company has noted. On a conference call last month, Genentech said it might have to update its label to reflect data from its follow-up analysis.