Targeted cancer therapies: Another step forward

While it is clear that the treatment of cancer has already begun to undergo a paradigm shift with the inclusion of innovative targeted therapies into current regimens, it would be wrong to assume these products will entirely replace traditional chemotherapy as the standard treatment for cancer sufferers. However, the administration of targeted therapies alongside standard chemotherapy should allow for improvements in symptom control, quality of life and cure rates, although according to a new report from independent market analyst Datamonitor* (DTM.L), this will not be without significant challenges.

Provide potential

Datamonitor defines innovative targeted therapies as novel therapeutic agents that target unique molecular changes which distinguish tumor cells from normal cells, namely altered genes, proteins and corrupted molecular pathways. The major upside of enhanced selectivity in targeting tumor-specific molecular abnormalities is that they provide the potential for the creation of treatments with enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity.

The existing targeted therapies market was worth $5.1 billion across the seven major pharmaceutical markets** in 2004. Datamonitor forecasts this market to reach $13.7 billion in value by 2014, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7%. Furthermore, the introduction of current late-phase pipeline products will increase the targeted therapies market's total value to a figure of $19.2 billion by 2014, says Datamonitor oncology analyst Fleur Pijpers. 'Growth of the current targeted therapies market will be driven mainly by five key products: Genentech/Roche's Rituxan (rituximab), Herceptin (trastuzumab), Avastin (bevacizumab), Tarceva (erlotinib) and Novartis's Glivec (imatinib).'

'Rituxan and Glivec have already reached blockbuster status, while Herceptin, Avastin and Tarceva are forecast to also achieve sales exceeding $1 billion per year by 2014.'

Datamonitor believes the continued sales growth of these targeted therapies is attributable to a number of factors: (all figures for seven major markets)

Rituxan will enjoy label expansion and increased market penetration, with forecast sales of $3.6 billion by 2014.

Herceptin will move into the adjuvant treatment setting for breast cancer, with forecast sales of $1.2 billion by 2014.

Avastin's activity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma and pancreatic cancer is expected to garner further regulatory approvals, with forecast sales of $2.4 billion by 2014.

Glivec will enjoy increased uptake due to alternate dosing schedules and approvals in further indications, with forecast sales of $2.7 billion by 2014.

While Tarceva will benefit from AstraZeneca's Iressa's (gefitinib) failures following US and EU approvals for NSCLC and recent US approval for pancreatic cancer, with forecast sales of $1.1 billion by 2014.