Genentech Inc. has performed a preliminary analysis of a randomised Phase II study designed to evaluate the incremental benefit of adding Tarceva (erlotinib) to Avastin (bevacizumab) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer).

According to a company release, this trial measured two co-primary efficacy endpoints, progression-free survival and response rate, and preliminary estimates suggested that the addition of Tarceva to Avastin resulted in progression-free survival and response rates similar to those achieved with Avastin alone. Due to the exploratory nature of the study, these estimates do not provide definitive conclusions with high statistical certainty with respect to differences between the treatments.

"At this time we do not believe further studies of this particular combination in kidney cancer are warranted. However, we remain encouraged by the duration of progression-free survival seen in patients treated with Avastin both in this trial and in previous studies in kidney cancer. Combining agents that target different cancer pathways remains an area of active investigation for Genentech and may be a viable alternative to chemotherapy. We will continue to vigorously investigate combinations of targeted therapies in other cancers," said Hal Barron, Genentech senior vice president, development and chief medical officer.

AvastinAvastin, which is marketed in the US by Genentech and outside of the US by the Roche Group, is a therapeutic antibody designed to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that plays an important role in tumour angiogenesis and maintenance of existing tumour vessels.