Introduction
Treatment for cancer, traditionally dominated by cytotoxic and hormonal therapies, is currently being revolutionized by the emergence of innovative, targeted therapies with the potential to offer improved efficacy and reduced toxicity. One such class of innovative agents is the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor class, which is being investigated for NSCLC and colorectal cancer.
Scope
- Overview of EGFR inhibitors and their role in the NSCLC market
- Strategy for maximizing the potential of EGFR inhibitors such as Iressa, Tarceva and Erbitux
- Analysis of key findings of INTACT I and II trials for Iressa (gefitinib)
- Key events in the lung and colorectal cancer markets in the first quarter of 2004
Highlights
ImClone/BMS/Merck KGaA’s Erbitux (cetuximab), a monoclonal antibody EGFR inhibitor, may potentially succeed where small molecule EGFR inhibitors such as Iressa have failed by gaining approval for second-line NSCLC therapy. An early clinical trial has indicated a significant promise but the results need to be validated in Phase III trials.
Unless clinical trials finally enable uptake in to adjuvant, first- and second-line markets, EGFR inhibitors will be limited to third-line use in NSCLC.
EGFR inhibition with Erbitux clearly invokes a highly individualized response, which has significant diagnostic and clinical trial design implications. If the true potential of EGFR inhibitors, and other developmental targeted agents, is to be realized, clinical trial endpoints and patient inclusion criteria will have to adapt over coming years.
Reasons to Purchase
- Assess opportunities and risks in the innovatives market by understanding the potential of EGFR inhibitors in the NSCLC market
- Evaluate the impact of market entry of pipeline innovative agents by redefining the marketing strategy for EGFR inhibitors
- Determine the key future trends of EGFR inhibitors in other indications such as colorectal cancer
Other selected research from the 'Oncology' category:
Triple Analysis: Lung Cancer, Protein Kinase Inhibitors and Peptides
Breast Cancer Drug Pipeline Update 2012