Biotech Genentech Inc has filed a sBLA (supplemental biologics license application) with U.S. health authorities for their top-selling oncology drug Avastin, already approved for lung, breast and colorectal cancer.

Genetech seeks approval of Avastin as a secondary treatment for brain cancer or glioblastoma, for patients who have already received previous treatment.

Avastin generated sales of over $ 1.95 million dollars in the first nine months of 2008.
In more than 90 percent of cases, the cancer returns after initial treatment, said the company, and patients typically survive between three and six months after that time.

In a recent clinical trial, Genentech said 43 percent of patients treated with Avastin survived for at least six months without the disease progressing. Median overall survival was 9.3 months.