Avastin (an anti-angiogenesis drug that is designed to inhibit the growth of blood vessels in tumors) is undergoing a phase II clinical trial at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in conjunction with the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to find out (together with abdominal radiation therapy and chemotherapy) whether it is capable of reducing localized pancreatic tumors that have not metastasized or spread to other systems or organs in the body.

The results appeared in the February 2006 issue of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.

"Our findings from the previous study suggest that the combination of chemotherapy and radiation is a safe and effective treatment method to reduce the local extent of pancreatic tumors," said Dr. Talamonti.

"The current study, which will be conducted over two years, will help us evaluate whether adding Avastin may also provide an effective combination to reduce the tumor and increase survival rates," added William Small, Jr., MD, radiation oncologist, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, associate professor, Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and principal investigator for the trial.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death among adults in America as claimed by american cancer society. Avastin looks promising because it is designed to inhibit Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), a protein that plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis or blood vessel formation, and maintenance of existing tumor vessels. However, the product might be facing cost issues.