Continual Progress in Cancer Research Yields Promising Cancer Therapies.

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- There is fresh hope for cancer patients as years of focused research bring the world constantly closer to newer, more effective cancer therapies.

Due to revolutionary advances in basic cancer biology, molecular cancer genetics, and the resulting development of powerful technologies such as genomics and proteomics, researchers have been able to identify several new molecular targets and pathways in cancer cells.

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Research and development (R&D) in the field of cancer therapeutics has taken on a new dimension and is exploring several different directions. The identification of targeted therapies is perhaps one of the most significant outcomes of this intensive research in recent years, in which a medication or drug targets a specific pathway in the growth and development of a tumor. By blocking or inhibiting these targets, this therapy helps fight the tumor itself.

"The discovery of new pathways and novel targets has offered excellent research opportunities for bringing more effective molecular cancer therapies and cancer prevention strategies into clinical practice," remarks Technical Insights Research Analyst A.N. Aditya. "These innovative therapies offer disease relief without debilitating side effects, offering patient months or years of high quality life, even if there is a relapse."

Gene therapy, which manipulates the genetic material within cells for a beneficial outcome, is also generating tremendous excitement in the field of cancer therapeutics. Gene therapy techniques encompass a wide array of new technology platforms, which include drugs that inhibit signal transduction pathways, apoptotic pathways, transcriptional control mechanisms, and angiogenic processes.

Currently, there are more than 500 clinical trials in progress globally, 70 percent of which are in North America. With no products approved yet, any unfavorable results in late stage trials can adversely affect the biotechnology industry from a financial perspective. Managing the complexity, uncertainty, and urgency of late-stage trials, therefore, represents a critical success factor for the entire industry.

Researchers are also undertaking groundbreaking work in new areas such as cancer vaccines. Several companies are attempting to develop therapeutic vaccines as a promising approach to treat breast, colon, and lung cancer, among others. Some of the cancer vaccines under investigation include single whole cell tumor, dendritic cell and DNA vaccines.

"The development and registration of a new cancer drug can take anywhere between eight and twelve years with associated costs ranging between $200 million and $500 million," notes Aditya. "Companies also have to factor in various regulatory aspects as well as the slow progress of clinical trials, which can run into months or years."

Additionally, developing new biological manufacturing processes for cancer drugs is becoming increasingly complex. For instance, the manufacturing of antineoplastic agents requires expertise in personnel and heavy investment in state-of-the-art facilities to comply with strict regulatory requirements.

Overcoming such hurdles is likely to pose a strong challenge to biotech companies and considerably hamper the current progress in the search for novel and innovative cancer therapies.

Cancer Therapies - Technological Assessment in North America, part of the Technical Insights - Healthcare Subscription Service, provides an overview of the current state of novel, emerging cancer therapies with a detailed analysis of the various cancer therapies and technologies under development. The study also offers up-to-date information on R &D advances, product development, and major regulatory aspects. Executive summaries and interviews are available to the press.

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Cancer Therapies - Technological Assessment in North America

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Keywords in this release: cancer therapies, North America, genomics, proteomics, molecular targets, pathways, targeted therapies, molecular cancer therapies, gene therapy, biotechnology, signal transduction pathways, apoptotic pathways, transcriptional control mechanisms, angiogenic processes, cancer vaccines, single whole cell tumor vaccines, dendritic cell vaccines, DNA vaccines, antineoplastic agents