Genetic tests may pinpoint who should get Avastin

[News]

Genetic tests could in future show who will respond best to Genentech and Roche's blockbuster cancer drug Avastin - a positive development for patients but not necessarily for sales.

More... (http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/news-270466-66.html)

[chrisy]

I think this is great news and in a perverted way, might even be GOOD for sales. It seems that, like herceptin, it only works for those with a specific pathology. So if they can accurately id who these people are, then they could get MUCH higher efficacy in the target population - and the "narrower" population could get the drug. Sort of like, herceptin only works for 20% of bc patients, but for almost all (don't shoot me for lack of correct %) Her2+++.

And of course, good news for patients who can avoid the toxicity AND the waste of time and money on a drug that won't help them!