USON US Oncology (MM)

US Oncology Plays Pivotal Role in Testing of Newly Approved Colon Cancer Therapy, Avastin(TM) HOUSTON, March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A breakthrough treatment for advanced-stage colorectal cancer, approved by the Food and Drug Administration Feb.26, represents a milestone in research that will have significant benefits for patients, say US Oncology, Inc. network physicians involved in the drug's clinical trials. More than 15 US Oncology-affiliated practices participated in Phase III clinical trials for Avastin(TM) (bevacizumab), and the network accrued 12 percent of the 925 patients involved in the study. Dr. Thomas Cartwright, a medical oncologist at US Oncology-affiliated Ocala Oncology Center (Florida), was the principal investigator for the study in the US Oncology network. Avastin -- developed by Genentech -- is significant as it is the first in a new category of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors, which work by closing off the blood supply to tumors. Angiogenesis has long beentouted as a possible breakthrough for treating advanced-stage tumors, but Avastin is the first drug shown to actually prolong the survival rates of patients with previously untreated metastatic cancer of the colon or rectum, when used in combination with 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. As the nation's leading cancer-care services company, US Oncology works to advance the development of new cancer therapies by offering the latest clinical trials in close-to-home community settings. "The development of Avastin is a major advance for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, and the clinical testing performed at US Oncology-affiliated practices was an important component in the drug's approval process," Cartwright said. "The size of our network, with practices in many parts of the country, enables us to coordinate among leading oncologists and accrue significant numbers of eligible patients. We also have an excellent track record of quality data collection, which is critical to clinical testing. "Our leadership in the testing of new therapies is the result of our commitment to advance and promote cancer research that can make a difference in patients' lives." Over the past 11 years, more than 16,000 patients of US Oncology- affiliated practices have taken part in clinical trials involving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation and gene therapy. And the company has contributed to the development of 18 approved cancer-fighting drugs. "US Oncology's involvement in clinical trials is an important benefit to our patients," Cartwright said. "Access to these types of therapies used to be limited, especially in smaller communities. But US Oncology is making investigational therapies available to patients in practices across the country, enabling oncologists to enhance patient care while increasing our understanding of the efficacy and safety of new treatments." Currently, more than 70 clinical trials -- addressing breast, colorectal, lung, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancers -- are under way at US Oncology-affiliated practices. "This commitment means that patients have access to the most advanced therapies without having to travel long distances to traditional research centers, many of which are concentrated in major urban areas," said Dr. Atul Dhir, president of the company's cancer information research group. "The testing and approval of Avastin is just one example of the benefits we are helping to bring to the patients of our affiliated practices and to cancer research as a whole." Cartwright said it is possible that Avastin could be successful fighting other types of cancers. He plans to begin additional studies aimed at further development of the drug. About US Oncology, Inc. US Oncology, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is America's premier cancer- care services company. The company provides comprehensive services to a network of affiliated practices -- comprising more than 875 affiliated physicians in over 470 sites, including 79 integrated cancer centers -- in 32 states, with the mission of expanding access to and improving the quality of cancer care in local communities. These practices care for approximately 15 percent of the country's new cancer cases each year. DATASOURCE: US Oncology, Inc. CONTACT: Steve Sievert of US Oncology, Inc., +1-832-601-6193, or Web site: http://www.usoncology.com/

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