[TerryH]

Current myeloma treatment trends (May 2012)

by TerryH on Tue May 22, 2012 8:56 am

Hi everyone,

I came across this press release this morning (see below). It contains a lot of information that I think people here will find useful.

I'm including basically the entire press release because I don't think it's copyrighted.

press release
May 22, 2012, 8:00 a.m. EDT

Over 90 Percent of Surveyed Hematologist-Oncologists in the U.S. are Aware that Takeda/Millennium's Subcutaneous Velcade is Approved for the Treatment of Myeloma
Velcade has Swiftly Penetrated All Myeloma Treatment Settings, According to a Recent
BioTrends Report

EXTON, Pa., May 22, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- BioTrends Research Group, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, has released findings from the most recent TreatmentTrends(R): Multiple Myeloma (US) report, in which 104 U.S.-based hematologist-oncologists (that prescribe Revlimid, Velcade and/or Thalomid) were surveyed about their current and expected treatment patterns in one of the largest hematological malignancy indications. Multiple myeloma is perceived by surveyed hematologist-oncologists to have the third greatest need for new and/or improved therapies across seven profiled hematology-oncology indications.

Despite the current lack of approval of Celgene's Revlimid in the first-line setting, surveyed hematologist-oncologists report considerable use in the first-line, often in combination with Takeda/Millennium's Velcade. Surveyed U.S. hematologist-oncologists perceive the regimen containing Revlimid, Velcade and dexamethasone (VRD) to be the most efficacious in the treatment of first-line autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT) eligible myeloma patients. Correspondingly, patient share of VRD is high (30 percent) in the first-line ASCT-eligible patient population. Despite favorable opinion with respect to efficacy, VRD falls short in terms of perceived safety and delivery compared with Velcade/dexamethasone (VD) or Revlimid/dexamethasone (RD), which together account for over 40 percent patient share in this setting.

However, obtaining reimbursement for Revlimid in the first-line setting is considered to be a 'medium-high' challenge by the majority of surveyed hematologist-oncologists. If Revlimid is approved for the treatment of first-line myeloma, most hematologist-oncologists expect their use of Revlimid to 'slightly' or 'significantly' increase in the first-line. Interestingly, most respondents do not expect Revlimid approval in the first-line to influence their use of Revlimid in the second-line setting.

The subcutaneous formulation of Velcade was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2012. Uptake of the subcutaneous formulation has been significant with surveyed U.S. hematologist-oncologists indicating that close to half of all Velcade-treated patients receive the subcutaneous formulation depending on the line of therapy. Approximately two-thirds of respondents also indicate that the addition of a subcutaneous formulation of Velcade has increased their overall use of Velcade. Hematologist-oncologists most frequently cite reduced peripheral neuropathy and the ease of delivery as advantages of the subcutaneous formulation.

Surveyed hematologists-oncologists believe Onyx Pharmaceuticals' carfilzomib, Celgene's pomalidomide and Bristol-Myers Squibb/Abbott's elotuzumab will fulfill more unmet needs compared to other emerging therapies.

"Hematologist-oncologists report that the most desirable attributes for emerging therapies in myeloma are improved efficacy, effectiveness for refractory disease and suitability for high-risk patients," said BioTrends Oncology Therapeutic Director Andrew Merron, Ph.D. "Thirty-seven percent of hematologist-oncologists expect carfilzomib to replace Velcade. Although, it is worth pointing out that apart from carfilzomib and pomalidomide, physicians expect most emerging therapies to be mainly used as add-ons to currently available drugs."

TreatmentTrends: Multiple Myeloma (US) is a bi-annual syndicated report designed to provide a view of the current and future management of multiple myeloma based on primary research fielded with 100+ hematologist-oncologists in the United States. The report evaluates treatment and diagnosis patterns of the disease and physician opinions on possible future therapy options. Later this year a similar study, TreatmentTrends: Multiple Myeloma (EU) will be fielded in Europe, to gauge hematologist-oncologists' perspectives in the largest European markets (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Italy).

About BioTrends Research Group

BioTrends Research Group provides syndicated and custom market research to pharmaceutical manufacturers competing in clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets.

About Decision Resources Group

Decision Resources Group is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE: BioTrends Research Group

[Ron Harvot]

Re: Current myeloma treatment trends (May 2012)

by Ron Harvot on Wed May 30, 2012 5:19 pm

That is interesting. I started my initial treatment with VRD back in early 2009. knave never encountered any insurance issues with respect to Revlimid. I honestly thought it was only in Europe where Revlimid is used only in refractory and relapsed patients.

Ron