Small Cell Lung Cancer and Malignant Mesothelioma

SCLC accounts for one-fifth of all lung tumor types. More than 80,000 new cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2007 in the seven major markets, although it is set to decrease due to changing smoking habits. Mesothelioma is rarer, although incidence is expected to increase in the coming years in Europe and Japan given the heavy use of asbestos in the 1970s and long latency period of the disease.

Despite decreasing incidence, unmet needs in SCLC remain high due to poor prognosis and lack of effective treatment. R&D interest in the disease is low; however, this represents an opportunity for developing companies in the SCLC market.

Alimta is approved for other lung cancer indications including NSCLC and mesothelioma. It is in a Phase III trial in SCLC and Datamonitor believes that, although unlikely to show significant efficacy advantage over current standard, Alimta may potentially demonstrate toxicity advantages, in which case, it may usurp etoposide as standard therapy.

Incidence of malignant mesothelioma may have peaked in the US but is set to increase over the next two decades in Europe and Japan due to the later uptake of asbestos in these markets. Nevertheless, overall incidence of mesothelioma remains low; as is the R&D interest in the disease.

Read more...

• Cancer Overview (07/10/2008)
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• Clinical Trial Design (10/06/2008)

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• Osteoporosis (21/05/2008)
• Medicare Part D (21/05/2008)

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