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58% of Physicians Support FDA Move to Pull Breast Cancer Indication from Avastin

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sermo (http://www.sermo.com), the world's largest online community for physicians, announced the publication of a free Sermo Report about how physicians are reacting to the FDA decision to rescind the indication for Avastin (bevacizumab) in the treatment of breast cancer. The new report titled "Should Avastin (bevacizumab) Keep its Breast Cancer Indication?" reveals how physicians are using Avastin and which therapeutic agents they will switch to for clinical presentations.

58% of physician respondents support the FDA's move to pull the breast cancer indication from Avastin. However, 50% of respondents also believe that Avastin has increased the quality of life for breast cancer patients.

Physicians provided commentary on both sides of the debate. Some believe that the progression free survival benefit previously shown for Avastin is meaningful. According to one oncologist on Sermo, "...if folks can get 'caught up' on the survival endpoint by being able to take Avastin at the time of progression, how can one possibly prove a survival advantage overall." Another oncologist commented, "This is a shame, but we are going to do what the payers let us do."

Therapeutic agents listed by physicians that will be used instead of Avastin in the treatment of breast cancer include, but are not limited to Resveratrol, Abraxane (paclitaxel), Taxotere (docetaxel), Gemzar (gemcitabine), Xeloda (capecitabine), Abraxane (paclitaxel), Taxol (paclitaxel), Navelbine (Vinorelbine) and Ixempra (ixabepilone).

Many of the respondents also participated in an online discussion regarding the original Avastin study. The full report includes:

    --  Overview of FDA decision
    --  Report methodology
    --  Key findings
    --  Discussion highlights
    --  Changes in physician perception from 2009-2010
    --  Therapeutic agents physicians will use in place of Avastin

To download full results of this free report, visit sermo.com/client.

About Sermo Reports

Sermo Reports solicit perceptions and opinions from physicians about new drugs, devices, treatments, trends, and other topics of interest. Data for Sermo Reports is gathered through Sermo Posts, which allow physicians to participate in a poll and comment on the topic. All physicians on Sermo are verified and credentialed.

About Sermo

Sermo is the largest online physician community, where over 117,000 practicing physicians discuss a wide range of issues from clinical cases to advice about drugs and practice management. By leveraging Sermo's social media platform, clients can tap into unsolicited, peer-to-peer dialog and engage MDs to gain market intelligence and increase brand awareness. For more information, visit www.sermo.com/client.

SOURCE Sermo