" The data showed that Avastin in combination with chemotherapy led to a 3.9-month improvement in overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone, the Swiss drugmaker noted.

The analysis of the E4599 study, primary results of which were reported in 2006, included 878 patients with newly diagnosed recurrent or advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Patients were randomised to receive either Avastin in combination with chemotherapy, or chemotherapy alone.

Results indicated that among patients who received Avastin plus chemotherapy, median survival was 14.2 months, compared to 10.3 months in those who received chemotherapy alone, Roche said.

In addition, data showed that 57 percent of patients with adenocarcinoma who received Avastin were alive after one year, with 27 percent surviving for two years or more.

This compared with 43 percent and 17 percent, respectively, of patients who received chemotherapy alone.