Despite Progress Injectable/Infusible Antimetabolites Remain the Workhorse in Cancer Treatments

(Amherst, NH) – The world of oncology continues to evolve as physician specialists and researchers apply the latest knowledge and therapies to treat patients afflicted with cancer. Several advances have prolonged survival and provided hope to patients and their loved ones. Targeted drugs - typically monoclonal antibodies that bind to a specific cell surface receptor to affect a therapeutic response – have produced many success stories in treating a number of important cancers while sparing the patient from harsh chemotherapeutic agents.

A strong dose of optimism is well-justified, but while progress continues to be made the majority of oncology cases will continue to rely on traditional chemotherapy for the foreseeable future. These agents – primarily antimetabolites and alkylating agents – have been the workhorse of therapeutic oncology for decades. They are effective in slowing the uncontrolled cell growth that is the hallmark of cancer, but because they work more-or-less indiscriminately they are difficult on patients.

Antimetabolites work by replacing natural substances as building blocks in DNA molecules, thereby altering the function of enzymes required for cell metabolism and protein synthesis. Because the therapeutic action of antimetabolites relies in interference with DNA (and to a lesser degree RNA) synthesis, their action is highly cell cycle specific. While there are several drug classes that comprise the population of antimetabolites the majority can be grouped as purine, pyrimidine or folate analogs.

Including derivatives, there are currently fifteen antimetabolites approved by the FDA. If approved dosages are included, there are 197 unique injectable antimetabolite drug products across twenty-nine suppliers. This segment is highly concentrated with the top eight suppliers accounting for 62 percent of all products.

The ability of antimetabolites to interfere with normal cell division has created increasing interest in methods to protect both caregiver and patient from corollary exposure during the chemotherapy administration process. These efforts have spawned a new subclass of drug reconstitution and delivery devices collectively referred to as closed drug transfer systems.

Injectable and infusible antimetabolites are detailed in a new and comprehensive report researched and written by Greystone Research Associates. Injectable/Infusible Antimetabolites: Products, Markets and Opportunities analyzes injectable and infusible antimetabolite products, their indications, demand drivers and market activity. The report includes analysis of competitive factors, market trends and economic factors, and provides profiles of sector participants.

More information is available at http://www.greystoneassociates.org

Source: Greystone Research Associates

About Greystone

Greystone Research Associates is a medical technology consulting firm focused on the areas of medical market strategy, product commercialization, venture development, and market research. We assist medical and healthcare market participants in achieving their business objectives through the creation of detailed development strategies, product commercialization programs, and comprehensive market and technology research and analysis. Our market research publications are designed, researched and written to provide timely and insightful information and data on focused market segments, with the aim of providing market participants with the essential knowledge to refine and execute their marketing plans and financial targets.

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