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Published by: Datamonitor
Published: Jul. 8, 2003 - 54 Pages
Table of Contents
ABOUT DATAMONITOR HEALTHCARE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Scope
Key findings for the treatment of elderly cancer patients
Elderly people have a higher incidence of the four major tumor types than any other age group, yet they are under-represented in clinical trials, and no treatment strategy has yet been devised that is aimed specifically at the elderly. This leads to a fundamental lack of knowledge regarding elderly cancer patients, which results in elderly patients being under-treated for cancer.
Breast cancer tumors in elderly women tend to have a much higher proportion of hormone receptors than those of younger women. This means that they are much more responsive to the less-toxic hormonal therapies. Datamonitor recommends that manufacturers of hormonal breast cancer therapies target elderly patients in order to drive uptake within this group.
NSCLC is among the most prevalent cancers in the elderly. Currently, elderly NSCLC patients receive low-volume drug prescribing even though trial data suggest that non-platinum-based drugs such as vinorelbine offer high response rates and are well tolerated among the elderly. Datamonitor recommends further investigation of non-platinum therapies for elderly lung cancer patients.
INTRODUCTION
Epidemiology
Problems associated with treatment of the elderly
Clinical trial data for elderly patients
Treatment options for the elderly
Surgery
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Pharmacological effects, both therapeutic and toxic, are functions of the intensity and duration of exposure to a drug. Drug exposure is affected by the processes of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. It is well known that these processes are influenced by organs in the body that are affected by aging, but there are only a limited number of human studies on the pharmacokinetics of antineoplastic agents in the elderly (Sekine et al. 1999).
Doxorubin use in elderly patients
Chemosensitivity of tumors
TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER IN THE ELDERLY
Introduction
Etiology of breast cancer in older women
Aging and the pathophysiology of breast cancer
Treatment decisions for elderly patients
Radiotherapy
Hormonal Therapy
Is Tamoxifen currently the most effective hormonal therapy for breast cancer in elderly patients?
Cytotoxic Chemotherapy
What is the value of chemotherapy in older women?
What drugs are effective in older women?
In which patients should cytotoxic drugs be used?
Conclusion
TREATMENT OF NSCLC IN ELDERLY PATIENTS
Introduction
Epidemiology
Risk factors
Differences between elderly and younger lung cancer patients
The use of chemotherapy in the treatment of elderly lung cancer patients
When do the benefits of chemotherapy outweigh the side effects in elderly patients?
What is the most effective all round cytotoxic treatment for NSCLC in elderly patients?
Conclusion
SUMMARY: COMMERCIAL TREATMENT OPPORTUNITIES
APPENDIX
Future readings
Opinion leader research methodology
OncoVision
Bibliography
How to contact experts in your industry
List of Tables
List of Figures
Figure 1: 2003 incidence of breast, lung, colorectal and prostate cancer in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan and the US amongst different age groups.
Figure 2: Comparison of the 2003 incidence of breast, lung, colorectal and prostate cancer in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan and the US between patients above and below 65 years of age
Figure 3: 2003 percentage and incidence of patients over 65 diagnosed with prostate, breast, lung and colorectal cancer in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, U.K., Japan, and the U.S.
Figure 4: Percentage of elderly patients with stage III colon cancer receiving post- operative chemotherapy, by age
Figure 5: Age-related incidence rate of breast cancer per 100,000 people
Figure 6: 2003 incidence of breast cancer below and above 65 years of age in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, U.K., Japan, and the U.S.
Figure 7: Mechanisms by which breast cancer may become more indolent in older women
Figure 8: Age-related reduction in recurrence and mortality with tamoxifen and chemotherapy
Figure 9: Age-adjusted lung cancer incidence per 100,000
Figure 10: 2003 incidence of lung cancer below and above 65 years of age in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan, and the US
Figure 11: Commercial opportunities in the treatment of elderly cancer patients
AbstractIntroduction
Currently elderly people have a higher incidence of the four major tumor types than any other age group, yet there is a fundamental lack of knowledge regarding the treatment of elderly cancer patients, resulting in their under-treatment. This means that elderly cancer patients form an untapped market opportunity for healthcare providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Scope
An overview of the epidemiology of four main tumor types amongst the elderly.
Discussions concerning the problems associated with clinical trials and the treatment of elderly cancer patients.
An overview of the different methods of treatment used in elderly patients.
Case studies of breast and lung cancer treatment in the elderly.
Report Highlights
There is a fundamental lack of knowledge regarding the treatment of elderly cancer patients, resulting in under-treatment. Datamonitor recommends that pharmaceutical companies research treatment strategies aimed specifically at elderly patients to encourage higher prescribing levels.
Reasons to Purchase
Define the size of the elderly cancer market
Identify the key areas of development in NSCLC and breast cancer treatment for elderly patients
Understand the importance of targeting your therapies to the elderly cancer population
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