Prostate cancer is the most dominant cancer
affecting men in the United States and castration-resistant prostate cancer is
the most frequently diagnosed cancer in North America. According to an estimate
by American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the fourth most common cause of
cancer death overall and estimated to be only third most common cause of cancer
death among men. Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) is defined as the
progression of prostate cancer even after administration of androgen
deprivation therapy (ADT).
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)
used synonymously with androgen-independent (AIPC) and hormone-refractory
prostate cancer (HRPC) and may consists of one or any combination of a
continuous rise in serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), progression
of pre-existing disease, or appearance of new phases of metastases. Recent
advances in research technology and high-profile molecular characterization of
the disease have led to discovery of new therapies in the CRPC therapeutics
market and with an objective to target different pathways. The development of innovative
therapies such as chemotherapy
coupled with the novel breakthrough treatments will revolutionize patient
management strategies in CRPC patients globally, resulting in the tremendous growth
of the market. Chemotherapy
is emerging as a preferred option of treatment of advanced stages of CRPC in
comparison to other hormone therapies, such as abiraterone and enzalutamide,
since it is less expensive than the former and also more effective.
The market
would be dominated by the developing regions of Asia-Pacific and third-world
countries such as Latin America and Africa. As per a recent report by Allied Market Research titled “World Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC)/HRPCA
Therapeutics - Market Opportunity and Forecast, 2014 – 2020” (CRPC)/HRPCA therapeutics
market would reach $9.5 billion by the end of 2020, growing at 9.1% CAGR globally
amid the forecast period. With increasing number of clinical trial options for
CRPC treatment than before, the market is witnessing development of therapies
that target alterations unique to an individual patient's prostate cancer
molecular profile at a specific point in time. In
recent drug developments brought about by global pharma companies, docetaxel
has become a foundation on which researchers add novel agents aimed at
increasing efficacy of the therapy treatment for HRPC. In a recent STAMPEDE
clinical trial, presented by Dr Nicholas James from the University of Warwick,
UK, the findings confirm that the addition of docetaxel to standard hormonal
therapy greatly improved chances of overall survival (OS) among men with newly
diagnosed advanced prostate cancer.
Efforts are being made by researchers in the
more effective characterization of molecular targets and mechanisms that lead
to tumour growth in CRPC. As a result, many global pharma companies are
investing their resources in the development and field trials of drugs that
involve continuous activation of the androgenic receptors (ARs).
Healthcare providers are working on
developing management strategies that consist of finding newer ways to increase
the survival of men with progressive stages of prostate cancer. These
developments are truly making CRPC treatment as an example of personalised
medical care. This will offer invaluable help for clinicians to make wiser decisions
in treating CRPC. However, achieving the goal of offering personalized medical
treatment for this common malignancy will be a daunting task, closely watched
by market participants and healthcare providers alike.
