Genentech is looking to accelerate the federal approval process of its drug Avastin for use in treating aggressive brain cancer, according to a news article published in Mercury News.

Avastin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration when used in combination with chemotherapy to treat colon and breast cancers. The San Francisco-based biotechnology company announced earlier this month that it wants the drug approved to treat glioblastoma, a common type of brain tumor.

The federal government requires three separate stages of studies prior to approving a drug. Genentech is seeking approval of Avastin with having only performed two of the three studies. The FDA does approve some drugs when early studies show effectiveness in treating life threatening diseases, such as cancer.

Genentech made its request based on a study of 167 glioblastoma patients, of which 43% taking Avastin showed no sign of their cancer worsening. The company also noted tumors shrunk by half for about 28% of those taking the drug. Avastin blocks blood supply to the tumor, inhibiting growth.