| |
|
February
2008 |
 |
Data Download provides highlights of recently released data from GfK Market Measures’ Therapeutic Class Studies (TCS). Based on primary market research, TCS provide in-depth analysis of market trends, physician practice patterns and competitive brand positioning.
This month’s selections cover research from studies conducted in the areas of ovarian cancer, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease.
|
|
|
Summary: Research reveals that medical and gynecologic oncologists converge on use of platinum-containing therapy
for first-line therapy but diverge on choice of agents as patients progress
Though medical and gynecologic oncologists agree in their choice of first-line therapy for advanced ovarian cancer, as patients progress on therapy a marked difference emerges in the two subspecialists’ choice of agents, according to new research by GfK Market Measures.
Platinum-containing therapy is the standard first-line therapy choice of both medical and gynecologic oncologists and is administered to more than 95 percent of advanced ovarian cancer patients. But as patients progress following a platinum-based regimen, depending on whether they are “relapsed” (progress after six months) or are “refractory” (fail to respond or progress within six months), the specialty of the treating physician largely determines what second- and third-line therapy will be prescribed.
GfK Market Measures’ 2007 Medical Treatment of Ovarian Cancer Study showed medical oncologists are more apt to employ one of several cytotoxic brands, including Doxil, Gemzar and Hycamtin, with or without a platinum agent, as patients become relapsed or refractory. Conversely, in these cases, gynecologic oncologists are more likely to re-administer a platinum-based regimen, with a taxane or one of the other cytotoxics (cited above).
In addition to revealing differences between the two subspecialists’ therapy choices for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, the research also revealed that gynecologic oncologists are far more likely than their medical-based colleagues to adopt new screening tools to help guide treatment strategies. Most notably, they are far more likely than medical oncologists to test for biomarkers other than CA-125, such as cell surface antigens HER2 (screened for by more than one-third of gynecologic oncologists vs. less than one-fifth of medical oncologists) and EGFR (screened for by almost one-third of gynecologic oncologists vs. less than one-fifth of medical oncologists) and likewise use targeted therapies, such as prescribing hormonal therapy for HR-positive patients.
“Although the research revealed some interesting differences between the two subspecialists’ approaches to managing this disease, where both medical and gynecologic oncologists share common ground is in their view of a high unmet need for new agents that are not only more effective, but also those with a lower incidence of peripheral neuropathy, often reported with use of Taxol,” said Bill Bowman, Vice President and Category Business Leader, Oncology, GfK Market Measures. “Gynecologic oncologists are also keen to embrace new therapies with a lower incidence of myelosuppression, a common toxicity of Taxotere. This may explain why so many of the physicians surveyed, especially gynecologic oncologists, report they are very likely to incorporate new taxane analogues and epothilones into treatment, as well as new targeted agents.”
| Reflecting insights from 150 medical/hematologist oncologists and gynecologic oncologists, fielded via Internet questionnaire September-December 2007, GfK Market Measures’ 2007 Medical Treatment of Ovarian Cancer Study provides analysis and insights into patient flow and treatment patterns for the disease. |
Contact: Bill Bowman, VP, Category Business Leader, Oncology bbowman@gfkmm.com |
|
|
Summary: Research reveals opportunity for disease-modifying therapies in MS market as neurologists seek benefits of earlier treatment for patients diagnosed with clinically isolated syndrome
Following Betaseron’s recent indication for the treatment of patients diagnosed with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), a prognosis suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS), the use of this disease-modifying drug has increased among this patient population, compared with other drugs in the category, according to new research by GfK Market Measures.
While at 14 percent, Betaseron is still third in terms of usage among CIS patients behind Avonex (26 percent) and Copaxone (16 percent), it is the only product that showed growth in the last year. As further evidence of the drug’s potential, about one in seven neurologists participating in the research reported they expect to increase their usage of Betaseron in the coming months. This prospective increased usage seems largely driven by neurologists treating patients earlier, as well as Betaseron’s association with delaying both the onset of sustained disability and first relapse. The uptake may also be attributable to the actions of sales representatives as Betaseron is the only drug of its class to show increased detailing since last year.
Interestingly, though the research shows both current and expected future increases in the use of Betaseron and other disease-modifying drugs among CIS patients, GfK Market Measures’ separate research studies with both MS patients and neurologists reveal a significant disconnect in the reported portion of CIS-diagnosed patients actually receiving these treatments. According to GfK Market Measures’ patient-based MS study, about one in eight patients were initially diagnosed with CIS prior to their definitive MS diagnosis. Approximately 75 percent of these CIS patients indicate they did not receive treatment prior to their MS diagnosis. In sharp contrast, neurologists participating in GfK Market Measures’ physician-based MS study reported that slightly less than 30 percent of CIS patients remain untreated.
"Neurologists commenting on those CIS patients who did not receive a disease-modifying drug when initially diagnosed report that the most common reason for not prescribing this therapy is an unconfirmed diagnosis and/or the presence of only mild symptoms in these patients. They also report that about half of those untreated CIS patients are reluctant to start treatment with a disease-modifying drug and prefer to wait,” said Kim Lazarus, Vice President and Category Business Leader, Neurology, GfK Market Measures. "Considering recent data supporting earlier usage of these therapies, the key implication for pharmaceutical marketers is to be aware that their target audiences may not understand the benefits of earlier treatment and thus may respond positively to better communication on these issues. To this end, this is an area that may require further clinical study.”
Reflecting insights from 125 neurologists fielded via Internet questionnaire October-December 2007, GfK Market Measures’ Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis Study VII provides a comprehensive analysis of the multiple sclerosis market from the perspective of treating physicians.
Revealing insights from 644 multiple sclerosis patients fielded via Internet questionnaire October-December 2007, GfK Market Measures’ Multiple Sclerosis Patient Study V provides a comprehensive analysis of the multiple sclerosis market from the perspective of patients. |
Contact: Kim Lazarus, VP, Category Business Leader, Neurology klazarus@gfkmm.com |
|
|
Summary: Research reveals growing opportunity in long-term care market for Alzheimer’s disease drug manufacturers and need for pharmaceutical marketers to adjust target physician audience accordingly
Although in the commercial market neurologists diagnose more Alzheimer’s disease patients per month than any other physician specialty, they are minor diagnosticians in the long-term care market (LTC), where primary care physicians (PCPs) and psychiatrists take on the primary role of screening and assessing the severity of Alzheimer’s disease patients, according to new research by GfK Market Measures.
Additionally, the number of Alzheimer’s disease-diagnosed patients being transitioned to LTC facilities, and thus into the care of LTC physicians, has increased 25 percent over figures reported last year, according to the research. These data points and others revealed through research from GfK Market Measures’ 2007 Alzheimer’s Disease Physician Study and 2007 Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease in Long-Term Care Study point to a growing opportunity for pharmaceutical manufacturers in the LTC market. In particular, the findings underscore the importance of pharmaceutical marketing efforts tailored to the LTC physician segment, particularly those communications aimed at PCPs and psychiatrists, who play the primary role in screening and evaluating Alzheimer’s disease patients in the LTC setting.
While neurologists participating in the research studies indicated that in a commercial setting they diagnosis approximately 32 patients every 90 days compared to 25 by psychiatrists and 14 by PCPs, when examining diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in the LTC setting (where upon entering a facility, a full 20 percent of Alzheimer’s disease patients are first diagnosed), there is a dramatic reversal of roles. In LTC settings – both skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and assisted living facilities (ALF) – the primary specialist in screening and evaluating Alzheimer’s disease patients becomes the PCP (28 percent in SNF/42 percent in ALF) and psychiatrist (16 percent in SNF/14 percent in ALF) compared with neurologists (5 percent in each SNF and ALF).
GfK Market Measures’ 2007 Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Study also supports this notion of PCPs as the primary diagnostician, with 68 percent of caregivers identifying PCPs as the key health care professional in both diagnosing and managing their loved one’s disease.
"This research is compelling in that it really points to a significant opportunity for Alzheimer’s drug manufacturers in the long-term care market – a market that is currently underestimated in its importance,” said Kim Lazarus, Vice President and Category Business Leader, Neurology, for GfK Market Measures. "The key implication for manufacturers is to understand that their target audience may differ between the commercial and LTC markets. In addition, if they do not have a field force that is specific to the LTC market, they can better target their detailing to the dual practicing commercial market and LTC physicians and send appropriate messages, which may not always be the same.”
Reflecting insights from 227 physicians, including PCPs, neurologists and psychiatrists, fielded via Internet questionnaire in July 2007, GfK Market Measures’ 2007 Alzheimer’s Disease Physician Study provides a comprehensive analysis of the Alzheimer’s disease market from the perspective of treating physicians.
Revealing insights from 332 health care providers, including GPs/FPs, IMs, neurologists, psychiatrists, LTC medical directors and nurse practitioners, fielded via Internet questionnaire in January 2007, GfK Market Measures’ 2007 Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease in Long-Term Care Study examines physicians’ and nurse practitioners’ treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in both the SNF and ALF populations.
Reflecting insights from 359 caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease patients, fielded via Internet questionnaire in June 2007, GfK Market Measures’ 2007 Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Study provides a comprehensive analysis of the Alzheimer’s disease market from the perspective of patient caregivers. |
Contact: Kim Lazarus, VP, Category Business Leader, Neurology klazarus@gfkmm.com |
|
| |
       |
   |
Research Highlights: Oncology, 
