Full Title: Stakeholder Opinions: Bone Metastases - Impending patent expiries may help make or break newer agents
Introduction
Bone metastases are a complication of some advanced cancers including cancers of the breast, lung, prostate, kidney and thyroid. The incidence of bone metastases across these tumor types in the seven major markets is forecasted to total 225,174 in 2008. While treatment with bisphosphonates reduces the risk of skeletal complications, they do not improve survival in the majority of patients.
Scope
Overview of bone metastases epidemiology, which is currently unknown, disease mechanisms, complications and diagnosis
Current treatment options and identification of unmet needs in bone metastases
Research and analysis of the bone metastases pipeline with clinical and commercial assessment of late-phase candidates
Stakeholder opinions based on qualitative interviews with key opinion leaders from the US and EU
Highlights
Current bisphosphonate therapy reduces the risk of skeletal complications such as fractures and bone pain but as yet do not offer a survival advantage in the majority of patients. More efficacious agents that improve survival and enhance the quality of life of advanced cancer patients with bone metastases would be highly welcome. Survival of bone metastases patients varies according to primary cancer type and largely remains unchanged with current treatment. In light of this, an emerging opportunity is the potential of bisphosphonate therapy to prevent bone metastases when given in early stage cancer patients, for which trials are ongoing. Approaching patent expiries for Bondronat and Zometa and the subsequent availability of cheaper generic versions may raise the barrier to uptake of more novel but costly emerging agents such as denosumab. However, significant opportunity exists to succeed in the bone metastases market if newer agents can demonstrate superior efficacy and/or safety.
Reasons to Purchase
Gain an insight into the epidemiology trends as the true incidence of bone metastases is currently unknown
Identify the limitations of current bone metastases therapy and consider the remaining unmet needs
Acquire a detailed appreciation and impartial perspective of the bone metastases pipeline and identify the key products in late-phase development.
