Brain tumor patients see help using treatment 'pair'

A recent study indicated that Avastin (a cancer-fighting drug) and a form of chemotherapy can help cancer patients with a deadly type of brain tumor called a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Normally, a cancer drug and chemo should help against tumors, one would think.

But this form of brain tumor is highly deadly once it reaches a certain stage, and the combo treatment was found to extend the life of patients with GBM and also improve overall survival as well.

The study involved 35 people with GBM who had their cancer return after standard therapy, including surgery, radiation treatment and chemotherapy. The "bevacizumab/irinotecan" therapy was then found to halt tumor progression and 80 percent were alive after six months as well.