The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided on Nov. 18 to revoke the license for the anti-cancer drug Avastin, produced by Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche, on the grounds that the drug is ineffective and unsafe for the treatment of breast cancer. FDA Director Hanberg said the same day, “After evaluating the available research data, it is clear that the side effects of taking Avastin for malignant breast cancer can be life-threatening for patients, and there is no evidence that the drug can bring benefits to patients such as slowing tumor growth.” The FDA’s decision that day does not affect other applications of Avastin, which can still be used to treat lung, kidney, colon and rectal cancers. Avastin, chemically known as “bevacizumab,” is a monoclonal antibody class of drugs. It blocks the blood supply to the tumor by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor, which prevents the tumor from spreading in the body and allows chemotherapy to work effectively. Avastin, Roche’s best-selling anti-cancer drug, generated sales of $5.9 billion in 2009. Clinical trials have shown that Avastin does not prolong the survival of breast cancer patients and has significant side effects, including increased blood pressure, easy fatigue, and abnormal white blood cells. European regulators have also recommended limiting the use of Avastin.