Genentech Inc. has submitted an application to the FDA seeking approval to use Avastin for treatment of glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer.

If accepted and approved by FDA, Avastin could become the first targeted treatment for glioblastoma, South San Francisco-based Genentech said.

Glioblastoma has no cure and few treatment options. The present treatment chemotherapy followed by radiation, bears little relief to patients as glioblastoma returns in more than 90 percent patients. The survival of patients with previously treated glioblastoma is three to six months. The treatment is ineffective in the sense that only 15 percent of patients usually live six months before their cancer advances, and fewer than 10 percent respond to treatment.

The most common treatment for glioblastoma is surgical removal of as much tumor as possible. The surgery is  followed by radiation and chemotherapy such as oral temozolomide (Temodar). Another treatment offered to glioblastoma patients is Gliadel, a biodegradable wafer soaked in the chemotherapy drug carmustine. The wafer is placed in the tumor cavity during surgery.

"There has been no substantial improvement in the treatment of glioblastoma in more than 20 years. This is a devastating disease, and people with glioblastoma desperately need new treatment options," Hal Barron, senior vice president of development and chief medical officer at Genentech, said in a statement.

Genentech spokeswoman Charlotte Arnold told BioWorld Today that at present Avastin is being studied in a range of other cancers. More than 450 trials of the drug in 30 different types of cancer - including prostate cancer, ovarian and breast cancer have been conducted.