The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has issued an appraisal consultation document on the use of bevacizumab in combination with oxaliplatin and either 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

The preliminary recommendations are as follows:
• Bevacizumab in combination with oxaliplatin and either 5−fluorouracil plus folinic acid or capecitabine is not recommended for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.
• People currently receiving bevacizumab in combination with oxaliplatin for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer should have the option to continue treatment until they and their clinicians consider it appropriate to stop.

The closing date for comments is 14 December 2009.