Press Release
NOVEL THERAPY AGAINST RENAL CANCER
 Studies confirm effectiveness of the drug against the disease
 100 new cases of renal cancer are diagnosed annually in Costa
Rica
A novel therapy becomes an alternative to prolong and improve quality of life of patients
with renal cancer.
We are talking of Avastin (bevacizumab). This drug is not chemotherapy; it is a
biological product that works by blocking the blood supply needed by the tumor to grow.
As a result of this, the tumor stops growing or reduces its size.
According to the AVOREN trial, Avastin, combined with Interferon, demonstrated to
prolong the time patients live without the disease getting worse or progressing in 89%,
compared with standard chemotherapy, where only interferon is used1.
“In early stages of the disease patients are asymptomatic and the first signs of renal
cancer may mimic other more common diseases. For this reason, many renal cancers
are diagnosed in advanced stages”, indicated Dr. Marco Castillo, Roche Medical
Director.
When renal cancer is detected in advanced stages, Avastin is used in combinations with
interferon, as an option providing better results.
Avastin is a drug developed by Roche Pharmaceutical Company. This drug is also
indicated in breast, kidney, lung, and colon and rectum cancer, and in glyoblastoma
(brain).
Costa Rica: 100 new cases per year
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 100 new cases of renal cancer are
detected in Costa Rica per year, and 72 deaths occur per year due to this disease.
Likewise, there is a greater incidence in males than in females
1
Escudier et al. Lancet 2007
“This is a cancer we know little about and by being diagnosed late it shows a high
mortality. That is the reason why there is a need to make awareness in the population
about the importance of early diagnosis in order to achieve better survival possibilities”,
Castillo commented.
Figures indicate that if renal cancer is diagnosed in early stages, 5-year patient survival
takes place in 94% of cases. The opposite happens if it is detected in advanced stages
(stage four) where survival is approximately of 23%2.
Among the most common symptoms we find: hematuria (blood in the urine), abdominal
pain. When renal cancer symptoms are present it is advisable to look for your doctor
and conduct urine testing, laboratory testing and ultrasound, among others.
Risk Factors:
- Heredity (genetic mutations)
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Kidney transplant
- Chronic dialysis
- Irradiation with chemotherapy to treat other diseases
Roche
Roche is a leader company in the health sector, with an emphasis in research and with
the combined power coming from the integration of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.
Roche is the largest biotechnological company in the world, and it has authentically
differentiated medicinal drugs in the areas of oncology, virology, inflammation and the
central nervous system. Roche is also a world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, including
the histological diagnosis of cancer and it is a pioneer in diabetes control. Roche’s
strategy in personalized medicine has the aim of providing with drugs and diagnostic
tools that make possible tangible improvements in health, quality of life, and in a hope
for life in patients. Roche has its headquarters in Basel (Switzerland).
More information on www.roche.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Press contact: Victoria Campos, Phone: +506 8879-8355
cruzcampos@yahoo.com
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2
Zisman A et al. J Clin Oncol 2001
2