Nation in brief: Change urged for Avastin marketing

Washington – A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee Tuesday recommended that the agency withdraw its marketing approval of the blockbuster cancer drug Avastin for treating breast cancer, concluding that new trials showed no apparent benefit from the drug.

The action, if taken, would not affect marketing of the drug for brain, lung, colon and kidney cancer, but would prevent the manufacturer from promoting its use for breast cancer.

The FDA is expected to make a formal decision by Sept. 17. It is not required to follow the recommendations of advisory panels, but generally does.

Avastin is the best-selling cancer drug in the world, with annual sales of about $6 billion.

Charleston, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin, a centrist and popular Democrat known for his calm, compassionate handling of a coal mine disaster that killed 29 in April, declared Tuesday that he will run for the late Robert C. Byrd’s U.S. Senate seat.

Manchin’s decision came after he and legislative leaders resolved their differences over the succession process. The legislation calls for an Aug. 28 primary and Nov. 2 general election to fill the roughly two years that would be left in Byrd’s term.

The Nov. 2 winner would take over that month from Carte Goodwin, 36, Manchin’s temporary appointee.

The governor’s former chief counsel took his oath of office Tuesday and has said he will not run for the seat.

Presley autopsy items on block

Chicago – Instruments used in Elvis Presley’s autopsy and embalming are going up for auction in Chicago, including the “John Doe” toe tag used after the original was stolen amid the chaos at the hospital following his death.

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will hold the auction Aug. 12, four days before the 33rd anniversary of Presley’s death.

The auction house said Tuesday that all of the items used in the autopsy and funeral preparations will be available, from rubber gloves and forceps to a comb and eye liner. Even the coffin invoice and the hanger used to hold Presley’s burial suit will be sold.