Recent reports have found that a first-line treatment for ovarian cancer, known as Roche's Avastin, is now available in the United Kingdom. The drug would act as a standard treatment in combination with the chemotherapy and surgery.

It is being said that Avastin, also known as bevacizumab, is extremely useful in treating the rare type disease of ovarian cancer. It could gain EU approval for the disease, since the treatment for the same was limited to chemotherapy and surgery until now. The women with advanced ovarian cancer would be highly benefitted by the drug introduced recently in the nation.

It has been revealed further that use of Avastin after chemotherapy and surgery women could live for six months longer without worsening of the disease as compared to the ones who were only given chemotherapy.

Consultant medical oncologist from St James's University Hospital, Dr. Timothy Perren, said, "Ovarian cancer currently has the worst outcomes of all gynaecological cancers and halting disease progression for six months is an important step forward in treating this condition".

However, as per the findings of the report, the drug namely Avastin, which is Roche's biggest selling medicine, is already licensed for many other cancer ailments, including colorectal cancer. The medicine has earned great turnover to the firm. Dr. Timothy Perren expressed delight that Avastin has been licensed for ovarian cancer and is presently available in the country.

Unlike the appreciation by many, NICE do not recommend the drug for any of its indications as it is not a cost-effective treatment, according to it. Nonetheless, these suggestions are a bad sign for Roche. But, it has also been found that the watchdog would be reviewing the drug and would take a final decision by February 2013.