The oncology drug treatment landscape is in the midst of change, according to Cutting Edge Information's latest market forecast report "Oncology Roadmap: Brand Spending Benchmarks and Market Forecast to 2013" (cuttingedgeinfo/oncology). The idea of the "superdrug" is quickly giving way to increasingly targeted therapies. In fact, by 2013, while Gleevec and Avastin will still reap blockbuster sales, most oncology therapies will only focus on very specific patient populations.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology's recent recommendation reflects this trend. The society made headlines in January by advising oncologists not to prescribe leading oncology drugs Vectibix and Erbitux to certain colon cancer patients. Research reveals that patients with KRAS gene mutations will not respond to anti-EGFR therapy.

With more than 1 in 3 patients exhibiting KRAS mutations, the future looks a little less bright for these two brands. The Wall Street Journal estimates that not prescribing Erbitux as a first-line treatment for metastatic colon cancer will decrease Bristol-Myers Squibb's and Eli Lilly's top-line annual sales by $600 million.

"While upsetting for these two companies -- not to mention Amgen with Vectibix -- every oncology drug maker will have to adjust its R&D strategies to meet payer demands," says Jeremy Spivey, lead author of Cutting Edge Information's report. "With payers increasingly demanding customized oncology therapies that target only those patients who will see the greatest benefit, pharma companies must find cost-efficient ways to provide them."

"Oncology Roadmap: Brand Spending Benchmarks and Market Forecast to 2013" (cuttingedgeinfo/oncology) delivers high-level analysis of the future state of the oncology market. The report also includes primary data on brand spending benchmarks for market access, advertising and promotions, decision support and medical affairs.

Brand Profiles detail products' competitive and strategic positioning, market opportunities and patent and litigation data. Profiles include sales forecasts, clinical trial information and competitor analysis, leading to an overall impression of where the drug will be in the next several years.

Company Profiles show breakdowns for the top seven companies with established cancer franchises or exciting development pipelines. These profiles contain company rankings and key products, as well as an analysis of each oncology portfolio's strengths, growth areas, and competitor threats.

To download a complimentary brochure of the report, go to cuttingedgeinfo/oncology.

Cutting Edge Information

View drug information on Avastin; Erbitux; Gleevec.