Press conference moderator Cora N. Sternberg, MD, Chief of Medical Oncology at San Camillo and Forlanini Hospitals, Rome, called the 2- to 3-month improvement in overall survival “worthwhile, and clinically meaningful.” She said this should be viewed in the context of manageable toxicity.

“Cediranib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has a different mechanism of action from bevacizumab [Avastin]. I can envision using cediranib in a patient who becomes resistant to bevacizumab,” she commented.

“Cediranib is not a licensed drug, and won’t be available unless the manufacturer decides to continue with its development. With a positive study like this, AstraZeneca may rethink the situation,” she said. ■

Disclosure: Dr. Sternberg reported no potential conflicts of interest.