Launch Of Premium-priced, Novel Targeted Therapies Will Drive Growth In The Acute Leukemia Markets Beginning In 2015

BURLINGTON, Mass., Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, forecasts the launch of new agents positioned for the treatment of both acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) through 2018. According to two Niche Markets and Rare Diseases reports, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Acute Myeloid Leukemia, novel targeted therapies hold the most promise for improving outcomes for patients with acute leukemia. Interviewed experts are enthusiastic about the potential of Amgen/MicroMet's blinatumomab–a first-in-class bispecific T-cell engager–for the treatment of ALL. Experts also highlight the potential of Ambit Biosciences/Astellas Pharma's quizartinib in AML: quizartinib will be the first agent that will be targeted to a specific AML sub-population, those patients with mutations in FLT3. However, clinical benefit in relapsed/refractory patients that do not harbor mutations in FLT3 suggests that uptake of the drug in a wider population is anticipated.

"The late-stage acute leukemia pipeline has shown a lot of promise lately, and experts are excited at the prospect of having more targeted therapies available to add to traditional chemotherapy options," said Decision Resources Therapy Leader Joanne Graham, Ph.D. "New formulations of existing chemotherapies will also play a role in the late-stage pipeline. Despite the promise of novel targeted drugs, there is no doubt that the future treatment of acute leukemia will continue to rely heavily on chemotherapies."  

These reports also find that, despite the launch of several new agents throughout the forecast period, there are still high levels of unmet need in the acute leukemia space, especially for treatments that provide improved efficacy outcomes for, and are less toxic to older patients, as well as treatments tailored towards currently underserved populations, such as T-cell leukemia.

"Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in children but only accounts for a minority of adult leukemias," said Dr. Graham. "The prognosis for adult patients is discouraging, with an overall adult survival rate of approximately 40 percent, compared with 80 percent in children. As this demographic grows, so does the need for treatments directed at older and adult patients whose disease is often more aggressive."

About Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Acute Myeloid Leukemia are offered as part of Decision Resources' Niche Markets and Rare Diseases service. Each report assesses opportunity in a select drug market across the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. The reports provides detailed coverage of patient populations, current therapies, unmet needs and emerging therapies, and includes primary research with country-specific thought leaders.

About Decision Resources
Decision Resources (www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources Group company.

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SOURCE Decision Resources