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Stakeholder Opinions: Cancer Cachexia - Higher profile needed to unlock market potential of neglected syndrome
Introduction
Cancer cachexia is a muscle and fat wasting syndrome that
affects the majority of incurable cancer patients and adversely
impacts treatment outcomes, survival and quality of life.
Current treatment options for cancer cachexia are limited. The
lack of a universal objective definition and the low profile of
the condition among oncologists have restricted advances in
treatment.
Scope
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Cancer cachexia overview,
including definition of the condition, pathophysiology and
patient population estimates in the seven major markets
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Treatment of cancer cachexia,
including discussion of drug therapies currently available and
unmet needs
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Examination of cancer cachexia
pipeline activity including profiles of late-phase pipeline
drugs and clinical trial design discussion
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Stakeholder opinions based on
qualitative interviews with opinion leaders in the field of
cancer cachexia
Highlights
The lack of effective drug therapy is the biggest unmet need in
cancer cachexia. Megestrol acetate is used off-label but does
not increase lean body mass. Corticosteroids are also used
off-label, but their side effect profile restricts use to a
short-term basis. A multimodal approach to therapy may be the
best way of improving treatment outcomes.
Several different types of clinician are involved in the
management of cancer cachexia, but oncologists have the greatest
influence. Drug companies should raise awareness of cachexia
among oncologists to improve treatment and build a market. This
may also help to promote a more universal multidisciplinary team
approach to cancer cachexia care.
Developers of cancer cachexia drugs face several large hurdles.
The lack of a universal, objective definition of cancer cachexia
means that there is uncertainty over which patients to recruit
for clinical trials. Furthermore, controversy surrounds clinical
trial endpointsit is unclear which endpoints should be use and
how to measure a response.
Reasons to Purchase
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Assess the size of the cancer
cachexia population (both overall and for specific tumor types)
in the seven major markets
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Understand unmet needs in
cancer cachexia and the challenges facing developers of drugs
for cancer cachexia
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Identify products in clinical
development for cancer cachexia. Consider, assess and react to
opportunities and risks influencing their potential
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