Liver Cancer: Battle for survival

[Guest guest]

Liver Cancer: Battle for Survival

By

Nov 22, 2004, 09:39

Liver Cancer: Battle for survival

London- (HealthNewsDigest.com)...Liver cancer is currently the fifth most

common cancer in the world, responsible for about one million cases and half

a million deaths globally every year. The outlook for hepatocellular

carcinoma (HCC) sufferers is bleak; with current medication, the five-year

survival rate for those with liver cancer is less than five percent in the

developed world, and even lower in developing countries. However patients in

trials of a new drug called Sorafenib have seen their survival times double,

according to a new report by independent market analyst Datamonitor*.

Incidence on the increase

HCC is a tumor of the liver that arises from focal scarring points in

cirrhotic liver tissue, and its global incidence is on the increase,

concurrent with a global increase in the number of cases of viral hepatitis

and of alcoholic cirrhosis in developed countries, says Datamonitor Oncology

analyst Dr Lorna Fern. " Some specialists have described it as a 'waiting

epidemic'. In the US alone we have seen a three-fold increase in the

incidence of HCC over the last decade. Similar trends have been seen in four

other pharmaceutical markets; the United Kingdom, France and Canada, " she

says.

" Furthermore, opinion leaders predict that the full effect of hepatitis B

(HBV) vaccination programs will not be felt for another 10-15 years. There

is no hepatitis C (HCV) vaccine and the effect of blood screening programs

introduced in the 1990s will not curb the rising incidence of HCV-related

HCC for at least two decades. "

The effects of binge drinking on the increasing incidence of HCC remains to

be seen. However, today's binge drinking culture has already been linked to

an increase in liver cirrhosis in developed countries, and thus may in turn

increase the numbers of HCC cases, Dr Fern says. " Studies have found that

liver cirrhosis is becoming a major public health concern in the UK, and it

is affecting men and women at younger ages than ever seen before. "

" Datamonitor predicts the incidence of HCC will continue to increase

resulting in a large, clinically underserved patient population. "

Treatment difficult

The treatment of liver cancer presents a formidable challenge to physicians

as it frequently presents in the setting of liver cirrhosis, Dr Fern says.

" HCC is often described as two diseases in one- a virulent malignant

disorder arising in the setting of chronic liver disease. Between 70-90% of

HCC patients will have liver cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis. "

" The problem in patients with liver cirrhosis is that the cirrhosis itself

severely compromises liver function, this increases the toxicity of

anticancer drugs as the pivotal role the liver plays in their detoxification

and removal is diminished. Indeed it is often the condition of the remaining

liver that dictates the final treatment options. "

HCC patients not only require effective agents to treat the tumor, but there

is also significant unmet need for drugs that will stabilize and treat the

underlying liver disease, Dr Fern says. " Surgical resection of the primary

tumour or liver transplantation are the only potentially curative options

for HCC patients. However, because it is complicated by underlying liver

cirrhosis, only 10% of patients are eligible for surgery. "

" Current chemotherapy agents only offer a modest response rate of up to 20%

at best, with no significant benefit to the overall survival rate. "

Datamonitor believes that any new therapy for HCC will gain rapid uptake if

it shows even a modest increase in efficacy or reduction in toxicity over

current regimes. Bayer's Sorafenib has shown potential in early trials to

double patient survival time through its novel mechanism of action that cuts

of blood supply to the cancer cells, Dr Fern says.

" The demonstrated increase in survival time with Sorafenib is significant in

HCC patients as current therapeutic options offer a modest four months

survival with considerable toxicity. For HCC patients Sorafenib doubles this

survival time to approximately 9 months, although this could be described as

only a minor improvement for HCC patients, Sorafenib's favourable toxicity

profile makes this drug even more appealing, Furthermore the additional time

gained for patients to spend with their families and loved ones is

invaluable. "

" Although this is exciting data it needs to be confirmed in larger trials

which are planned. Assuming trials with Sorafenib continue to go well,

Datamonitor expects it to hit the US market in 2006 "

In the meantime, Eximias Pharmaceutical's Thymitaq and Amgen's T67are the

only agents currently in phase III trials for HCC, however opinion leaders

predict that while these agents provide alternatives to current therapy

options they would be unlikely to provide significant improvement in

survival for HCC patients, Dr Fern says. " However opinion leaders are

optimistic that innovative targeted therapies which target pathways critical

to cancer cell survival, such as Sorafenib, hold promise for HCC patients.

Well designed controlled trials of these agents in HCC patients are

warranted. "

www.HealthNewsDigest.com

© Copyright 2004 by HealthNewsDigest.com

[Guest guest]

Liver Cancer: Battle for Survival

By

Nov 22, 2004, 09:39

Liver Cancer: Battle for survival

London- (HealthNewsDigest.com)...Liver cancer is currently the fifth most

common cancer in the world, responsible for about one million cases and half

a million deaths globally every year. The outlook for hepatocellular

carcinoma (HCC) sufferers is bleak; with current medication, the five-year

survival rate for those with liver cancer is less than five percent in the

developed world, and even lower in developing countries. However patients in

trials of a new drug called Sorafenib have seen their survival times double,

according to a new report by independent market analyst Datamonitor*.

Incidence on the increase

HCC is a tumor of the liver that arises from focal scarring points in

cirrhotic liver tissue, and its global incidence is on the increase,

concurrent with a global increase in the number of cases of viral hepatitis

and of alcoholic cirrhosis in developed countries, says Datamonitor Oncology

analyst Dr Lorna Fern. " Some specialists have described it as a 'waiting

epidemic'. In the US alone we have seen a three-fold increase in the

incidence of HCC over the last decade. Similar trends have been seen in four

other pharmaceutical markets; the United Kingdom, France and Canada, " she

says.

" Furthermore, opinion leaders predict that the full effect of hepatitis B

(HBV) vaccination programs will not be felt for another 10-15 years. There

is no hepatitis C (HCV) vaccine and the effect of blood screening programs

introduced in the 1990s will not curb the rising incidence of HCV-related

HCC for at least two decades. "

The effects of binge drinking on the increasing incidence of HCC remains to

be seen. However, today's binge drinking culture has already been linked to

an increase in liver cirrhosis in developed countries, and thus may in turn

increase the numbers of HCC cases, Dr Fern says. " Studies have found that

liver cirrhosis is becoming a major public health concern in the UK, and it

is affecting men and women at younger ages than ever seen before. "

" Datamonitor predicts the incidence of HCC will continue to increase

resulting in a large, clinically underserved patient population. "

Treatment difficult

The treatment of liver cancer presents a formidable challenge to physicians

as it frequently presents in the setting of liver cirrhosis, Dr Fern says.

" HCC is often described as two diseases in one- a virulent malignant

disorder arising in the setting of chronic liver disease. Between 70-90% of

HCC patients will have liver cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis. "

" The problem in patients with liver cirrhosis is that the cirrhosis itself

severely compromises liver function, this increases the toxicity of

anticancer drugs as the pivotal role the liver plays in their detoxification

and removal is diminished. Indeed it is often the condition of the remaining

liver that dictates the final treatment options. "

HCC patients not only require effective agents to treat the tumor, but there

is also significant unmet need for drugs that will stabilize and treat the

underlying liver disease, Dr Fern says. " Surgical resection of the primary

tumour or liver transplantation are the only potentially curative options

for HCC patients. However, because it is complicated by underlying liver

cirrhosis, only 10% of patients are eligible for surgery. "

" Current chemotherapy agents only offer a modest response rate of up to 20%

at best, with no significant benefit to the overall survival rate. "

Datamonitor believes that any new therapy for HCC will gain rapid uptake if

it shows even a modest increase in efficacy or reduction in toxicity over

current regimes. Bayer's Sorafenib has shown potential in early trials to

double patient survival time through its novel mechanism of action that cuts

of blood supply to the cancer cells, Dr Fern says.

" The demonstrated increase in survival time with Sorafenib is significant in

HCC patients as current therapeutic options offer a modest four months

survival with considerable toxicity. For HCC patients Sorafenib doubles this

survival time to approximately 9 months, although this could be described as

only a minor improvement for HCC patients, Sorafenib's favourable toxicity

profile makes this drug even more appealing, Furthermore the additional time

gained for patients to spend with their families and loved ones is

invaluable. "

" Although this is exciting data it needs to be confirmed in larger trials

which are planned. Assuming trials with Sorafenib continue to go well,

Datamonitor expects it to hit the US market in 2006 "

In the meantime, Eximias Pharmaceutical's Thymitaq and Amgen's T67are the

only agents currently in phase III trials for HCC, however opinion leaders

predict that while these agents provide alternatives to current therapy

options they would be unlikely to provide significant improvement in

survival for HCC patients, Dr Fern says. " However opinion leaders are

optimistic that innovative targeted therapies which target pathways critical

to cancer cell survival, such as Sorafenib, hold promise for HCC patients.

Well designed controlled trials of these agents in HCC patients are

warranted. "

www.HealthNewsDigest.com

© Copyright 2004 by HealthNewsDigest.com

[Guest guest]

Liver Cancer: Battle for Survival

By

Nov 22, 2004, 09:39

Liver Cancer: Battle for survival

London- (HealthNewsDigest.com)...Liver cancer is currently the fifth most

common cancer in the world, responsible for about one million cases and half

a million deaths globally every year. The outlook for hepatocellular

carcinoma (HCC) sufferers is bleak; with current medication, the five-year

survival rate for those with liver cancer is less than five percent in the

developed world, and even lower in developing countries. However patients in

trials of a new drug called Sorafenib have seen their survival times double,

according to a new report by independent market analyst Datamonitor*.

Incidence on the increase

HCC is a tumor of the liver that arises from focal scarring points in

cirrhotic liver tissue, and its global incidence is on the increase,

concurrent with a global increase in the number of cases of viral hepatitis

and of alcoholic cirrhosis in developed countries, says Datamonitor Oncology

analyst Dr Lorna Fern. " Some specialists have described it as a 'waiting

epidemic'. In the US alone we have seen a three-fold increase in the

incidence of HCC over the last decade. Similar trends have been seen in four

other pharmaceutical markets; the United Kingdom, France and Canada, " she

says.

" Furthermore, opinion leaders predict that the full effect of hepatitis B

(HBV) vaccination programs will not be felt for another 10-15 years. There

is no hepatitis C (HCV) vaccine and the effect of blood screening programs

introduced in the 1990s will not curb the rising incidence of HCV-related

HCC for at least two decades. "

The effects of binge drinking on the increasing incidence of HCC remains to

be seen. However, today's binge drinking culture has already been linked to

an increase in liver cirrhosis in developed countries, and thus may in turn

increase the numbers of HCC cases, Dr Fern says. " Studies have found that

liver cirrhosis is becoming a major public health concern in the UK, and it

is affecting men and women at younger ages than ever seen before. "

" Datamonitor predicts the incidence of HCC will continue to increase

resulting in a large, clinically underserved patient population. "

Treatment difficult

The treatment of liver cancer presents a formidable challenge to physicians

as it frequently presents in the setting of liver cirrhosis, Dr Fern says.

" HCC is often described as two diseases in one- a virulent malignant

disorder arising in the setting of chronic liver disease. Between 70-90% of

HCC patients will have liver cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis. "

" The problem in patients with liver cirrhosis is that the cirrhosis itself

severely compromises liver function, this increases the toxicity of

anticancer drugs as the pivotal role the liver plays in their detoxification

and removal is diminished. Indeed it is often the condition of the remaining

liver that dictates the final treatment options. "

HCC patients not only require effective agents to treat the tumor, but there

is also significant unmet need for drugs that will stabilize and treat the

underlying liver disease, Dr Fern says. " Surgical resection of the primary

tumour or liver transplantation are the only potentially curative options

for HCC patients. However, because it is complicated by underlying liver

cirrhosis, only 10% of patients are eligible for surgery. "

" Current chemotherapy agents only offer a modest response rate of up to 20%

at best, with no significant benefit to the overall survival rate. "

Datamonitor believes that any new therapy for HCC will gain rapid uptake if

it shows even a modest increase in efficacy or reduction in toxicity over

current regimes. Bayer's Sorafenib has shown potential in early trials to

double patient survival time through its novel mechanism of action that cuts

of blood supply to the cancer cells, Dr Fern says.

" The demonstrated increase in survival time with Sorafenib is significant in

HCC patients as current therapeutic options offer a modest four months

survival with considerable toxicity. For HCC patients Sorafenib doubles this

survival time to approximately 9 months, although this could be described as

only a minor improvement for HCC patients, Sorafenib's favourable toxicity

profile makes this drug even more appealing, Furthermore the additional time

gained for patients to spend with their families and loved ones is

invaluable. "

" Although this is exciting data it needs to be confirmed in larger trials

which are planned. Assuming trials with Sorafenib continue to go well,

Datamonitor expects it to hit the US market in 2006 "

In the meantime, Eximias Pharmaceutical's Thymitaq and Amgen's T67are the

only agents currently in phase III trials for HCC, however opinion leaders

predict that while these agents provide alternatives to current therapy

options they would be unlikely to provide significant improvement in

survival for HCC patients, Dr Fern says. " However opinion leaders are

optimistic that innovative targeted therapies which target pathways critical

to cancer cell survival, such as Sorafenib, hold promise for HCC patients.

Well designed controlled trials of these agents in HCC patients are

warranted. "

www.HealthNewsDigest.com

© Copyright 2004 by HealthNewsDigest.com

[Guest guest]

Liver Cancer: Battle for Survival

By

Nov 22, 2004, 09:39

Liver Cancer: Battle for survival

London- (HealthNewsDigest.com)...Liver cancer is currently the fifth most

common cancer in the world, responsible for about one million cases and half

a million deaths globally every year. The outlook for hepatocellular

carcinoma (HCC) sufferers is bleak; with current medication, the five-year

survival rate for those with liver cancer is less than five percent in the

developed world, and even lower in developing countries. However patients in

trials of a new drug called Sorafenib have seen their survival times double,

according to a new report by independent market analyst Datamonitor*.

Incidence on the increase

HCC is a tumor of the liver that arises from focal scarring points in

cirrhotic liver tissue, and its global incidence is on the increase,

concurrent with a global increase in the number of cases of viral hepatitis

and of alcoholic cirrhosis in developed countries, says Datamonitor Oncology

analyst Dr Lorna Fern. " Some specialists have described it as a 'waiting

epidemic'. In the US alone we have seen a three-fold increase in the

incidence of HCC over the last decade. Similar trends have been seen in four

other pharmaceutical markets; the United Kingdom, France and Canada, " she

says.

" Furthermore, opinion leaders predict that the full effect of hepatitis B

(HBV) vaccination programs will not be felt for another 10-15 years. There

is no hepatitis C (HCV) vaccine and the effect of blood screening programs

introduced in the 1990s will not curb the rising incidence of HCV-related

HCC for at least two decades. "

The effects of binge drinking on the increasing incidence of HCC remains to

be seen. However, today's binge drinking culture has already been linked to

an increase in liver cirrhosis in developed countries, and thus may in turn

increase the numbers of HCC cases, Dr Fern says. " Studies have found that

liver cirrhosis is becoming a major public health concern in the UK, and it

is affecting men and women at younger ages than ever seen before. "

" Datamonitor predicts the incidence of HCC will continue to increase

resulting in a large, clinically underserved patient population. "

Treatment difficult

The treatment of liver cancer presents a formidable challenge to physicians

as it frequently presents in the setting of liver cirrhosis, Dr Fern says.

" HCC is often described as two diseases in one- a virulent malignant

disorder arising in the setting of chronic liver disease. Between 70-90% of

HCC patients will have liver cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis. "

" The problem in patients with liver cirrhosis is that the cirrhosis itself

severely compromises liver function, this increases the toxicity of

anticancer drugs as the pivotal role the liver plays in their detoxification

and removal is diminished. Indeed it is often the condition of the remaining

liver that dictates the final treatment options. "

HCC patients not only require effective agents to treat the tumor, but there

is also significant unmet need for drugs that will stabilize and treat the

underlying liver disease, Dr Fern says. " Surgical resection of the primary

tumour or liver transplantation are the only potentially curative options

for HCC patients. However, because it is complicated by underlying liver

cirrhosis, only 10% of patients are eligible for surgery. "

" Current chemotherapy agents only offer a modest response rate of up to 20%

at best, with no significant benefit to the overall survival rate. "

Datamonitor believes that any new therapy for HCC will gain rapid uptake if

it shows even a modest increase in efficacy or reduction in toxicity over

current regimes. Bayer's Sorafenib has shown potential in early trials to

double patient survival time through its novel mechanism of action that cuts

of blood supply to the cancer cells, Dr Fern says.

" The demonstrated increase in survival time with Sorafenib is significant in

HCC patients as current therapeutic options offer a modest four months

survival with considerable toxicity. For HCC patients Sorafenib doubles this

survival time to approximately 9 months, although this could be described as

only a minor improvement for HCC patients, Sorafenib's favourable toxicity

profile makes this drug even more appealing, Furthermore the additional time

gained for patients to spend with their families and loved ones is

invaluable. "

" Although this is exciting data it needs to be confirmed in larger trials

which are planned. Assuming trials with Sorafenib continue to go well,

Datamonitor expects it to hit the US market in 2006 "

In the meantime, Eximias Pharmaceutical's Thymitaq and Amgen's T67are the

only agents currently in phase III trials for HCC, however opinion leaders

predict that while these agents provide alternatives to current therapy

options they would be unlikely to provide significant improvement in

survival for HCC patients, Dr Fern says. " However opinion leaders are

optimistic that innovative targeted therapies which target pathways critical

to cancer cell survival, such as Sorafenib, hold promise for HCC patients.

Well designed controlled trials of these agents in HCC patients are

warranted. "

www.HealthNewsDigest.com

© Copyright 2004 by HealthNewsDigest.com