AstraZeneca: blockbuster status remains distant for Iressa

AstraZeneca's [AZN.L] Iressa was billed as one of a new class of anti-tumor agents that would revolutionize the treatment of lung cancer. However, to date the drug has been disappointing and approvals continue to be for third-line treatment. If Iressa is to reach blockbuster status, it must reach patients as a first line therapy.

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Celgene: Revlimid granted orphan drug designation

Celgene's [CELG] Revlimid shows great promise for the treatment of multiple myeloma after trials have shown no evidence of any side effects commonly sustained by the use of thalidomide. Thalidomide is commonly used off-label to treat cancer and it is expected that Revlimid will eventually completely replace thalidomide.

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AstraZeneca: Iressa granted first European approval

Swissmedic has approved the use of Iressa as a third-line treatment for patients with locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Other European countries are likely to follow suit, making Iressa available throughout Europe. Iressa's commercial potential could be increased if it were used off-label as a second-line treatment or if AstraZeneca [AZN.L] sought other indications.

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Pfizer: Aromasin patent could dampen its potential

Clinical trial data has shown that post-menopausal women with breast cancer who were treated using Aromasin demonstrated a significantly reduced risk of recurrence and increased disease-free survival than those treated with tamoxifen. With Aromasin's patent up in 2006, Pfizer [PFE] should now concentrate on marketing this product as a second-line treatment.

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Merck KGaA: cost issues remain for Erbitux in the EU

Erbitux (cetuximab), an epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody developed by ImClone, has now been recommended for approval in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. However, the high cost of Erbitux therapy means that the uptake of the drug will be limited in many of the cost-sensitive markets in Europe.

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Bayer: kidney cancer drug offers hope for patients and pipeline

Results from a Phase II trial have shown BAY 43-9006's antitumor activity in progressive advanced kidney cancer patients, which will support forthcoming Phase III trial results to seek full marketing approval for the drug. The drug could potentially be a source of great promise for Bayer, which is currently suffering from a weak pipeline.

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Novartis: Glivec provides more impressive results

Patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) receiving 800mg of Glivec are more likely to attain complete cytogenetic response compared to the standard dose of 400mg. If these preliminary results translate into improved survival for CML patients then this will undoubtedly secure further revenue for Novartis [NVS] as physicians switch to high dose Glivec.

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Pfizer's Celebrex may increase cardiovascular risk

Pfizer has announced that one of two long term cancer studies, Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib (APC), has shown that patients receiving 400mg and 800mg of Celebrex (celecoxib) have a 2.5 fold increased risk of cardiovascular events compared to placebo. However, a similar trial, Prevention of Spontaneous Adenomatopus (PreSAP) revealed no greater cardiovascular risk than placebo.

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European oncology: UK to see 5% annual growth in cancer incidence by 2012

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Genentech: Avastin may drive it into pole position

Positive trial data for Avastin drove Genentech's [DNA] share price up by almost 25% and parent company Roche's [ROCZ.S] share price by over 5%. Roche and Genentech have partnered to form the largest global player for cancer drugs, and Avastin looks set to provide them with another superstar product. Genentech's future as a major biotech player in the cancer market thus seems assured.

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