Myelodysplastic Syndromes - First Approvals Spur Some Interest In A Niche Market

Summary

Introduction

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of hematopoietic stem cell disorders. With a forecast incidence of 36,769 across the seven major markets in 2007, they are one of the most common hematological malignancies. Currently, the only potentially curative option is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation but this is only suitable for a small subset of patients.

Scope

• MDS epidemiology, disease diagnosis and overview of current treatment options
• Remaining unmet needs in the treatment of MDS
• Research and analysis of the MDS pipeline with in-depth clinical assessment of Phase III candidates
• Stakeholder opinions based on qualitative interviews with key opinion leaders from the US and EU

Highlights

Patients' old age and associated co-morbidities often prohibit the use of high-intensity therapies such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Therefore, most patients rely on supportive care and low-intensity therapies for the management of the disease.

While low-intensity therapies such as Vidaza, Dacogen and Revlimid have improved patient outcomes, higher-risk MDS remains a disease with poor prognosis. Therefore, there is a great need for more effective drugs with favorable toxicity profiles to improve patient survival and quality of life.

Recent approvals have spurred interest in MDS but this has yet to be translated into considerable R&D efforts in the field. There is only one drug in Phase III development, Schering-Plough's Sarasar (lonafarnib). This molecular targeted therapy is unlikely to offer any significant improvements over existing therapies.

Reasons to Purchase

• Gain an insight into the current classification systems and the epidemiology trends for MDS
• Identify the limitations of current MDS treatment options and consider the remaining unmet needs
• Acquire a detailed appreciation and impartial perspective of the MDS pipeline

Contents

• Introduction
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes (Mds) Are A Heterogeneous Group Of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Disorders. With A Forecast Incidence Of 36,769 Across The Seven Major Markets In 2007, They Are One Of The Most Common Hematological Malignancies. Currently, The Only Potentially Curative Option Is Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation But This Is Only Suitable For A Small Subset Of Patients.
• Scope
  • Mds Epidemiology, Disease Diagnosis And Overview Of Current Treatment Options Remaining Unmet Needs In The Treatment Of Mds Research And Analysis Of The Mds Pipeline With In-Depth Clinical Assessment Of Phase Iii Candidates Stakeholder Opinions Based On Qualitative Interviews With Key Opinion Leaders From The Us And Eu
• Highlights
  • Patients' Old Age And Associated Co-Morbidities Often Prohibit The Use Of High-Intensity Therapies Such As Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Therefore, Most Patients Rely On Supportive Care And Low-Intensity Therapies For The Management Of The Disease. While Low-Intensity Therapies Such As Vidaza, Dacogen And Revlimid Have Improved Patient Outcomes, Higher-Risk Mds Remains A Disease With Poor Prognosis. Therefore, There Is A Great Need For More Effective Drugs With Favorable Toxicity Profiles To Improve Patient Survival And Quality Of Life. Recent Approvals Have Spurred Interest In Mds But This Has Yet To Be Translated Into Considerable R&D Efforts In The Field. There Is Only One Drug In Phase Iii Development, Schering-Plough's Sarasar (Lonafarnib). This Molecular Targeted Therapy Is Unlikely To Offer Any Significant Improvements Over Existing Therapies.
  • Reasons To Purchase
  • Gain An Insight Into The Current Classification Systems And The Epidemiology Trends For Mds Identify The Limitations Of Current Mds Treatment Options And Consider The Remaining Unmet Needs Acquire A Detailed Appreciation And Impartial Perspective Of The Mds Pipeline.