Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Take Larger Share of Cancer Drug Sales

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as Gleevac and Nexavar represent the fastest growing segment in the market for cancer treatments and have boosted the performance of many pharmaceutical companies, according to Kalorama Information.

The healthcare market research publisher estimated the world market for cancer therapies to be $54.4 billion in 2010 in its latest report, The World Market for Cancer Therapeutics and Biotherapeutics, 4th Edition.

"Growth in cancer biotherapies spiked in the last five years, taking share from hormone and chemotherapy sales," said Bruce Carlson, publisher of Kalorama Information.

Carlson continued, "And within that category, tyrosine kinase inhibitors have demonstrated effectiveness and thus they've been growing fast in terms of sales."

Mutations in receptor tyrosine kinases cause cell proliferation and human disease. Drugs such as Iressa, Tarceva, Tykerb, Sprycel, Tasigna, Sutent and the segment's newest product Votrient, have been shown to inhibit the function of these receptors and thus mitigate the unusual cell growth that represents cancer.

Sales will likely remain strong with research and development efforts focused on these newer therapies. In the last five years, Kalorama estimates that tyrosine kinase inhibitors grew by nearly 26.7%, faster than any other cancer treatment.

The report notes that a rising incidence of cancer, particularly in the over 50 population, is likely having a significant impact on all areas of cancer treatment.

However, for many cancer types, there remains a significant unmet need in effective treatment.
Lung cancer is one example, as patient survival is less than five years after diagnosis. The report covers new therapies that are in development.

More information, including more segment revenues and growth rates, company profiles and important market trends can be found in The World Market for Cancer Therapeutics and Biotherapeutics, 4th Edition, from Kalorama Information.