Bullish Roche to reveal new cancer data at ASCO

Fresh on the heels of its takeover of Genentech, Roche is preparing to take the stage at ASCO later this month to tout its continuing sucess in developing targeted cancer therapies.

New mid- and late-stage data on Herceptin will be released along with new insights on Avastin and Tarceva in lung cancer. And Roche says it has positive early data on its BRAF inhibitor in malignant melanoma. Combining Roche and Genentech's work created an oncology program with 27 therapeutics in the clinic.

"We are presenting strong data for our targeted medicines for difficult-to-treat cancers including inoperable stomach cancer, lung cancer and melanoma," said William M. Burns, CEO of Roche's Pharmaceuticals Division. "Data on Herceptin will show that it is a very effective treatment in patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer where current therapies are associated with poor survival and toxicity. We will also show very encouraging early data on a new, highly selective drug for malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer for which there are few treatments and no established standard of care."

- read the story from Medical News Today

Related Articles:
A first peek at ASCO's news bonanza
Roche seals Genentech takeover