Focus: Ovarian cancer and the case of elusive cure
pharmafile | April 12, 2016 | Feature | Research and Development | J&J, JJ, Pfizer, drug trials, ovarian cancer
Each year, more than 21,000 women in the US are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, according to research and more than 14,000 women die from the disease every year with a survival rate of less than 50%.
The disease, often called the ‘silent killer,’ has baffled researchers, with very little knowledge on the ailment, and often does not even originate in the ovaries. It has a five-year survival rate of below 50% versus almost 90% for breast cancer, over 80% for endometrial cancer and nearly 70% for cervical cancer.
Ovarian cancer has been termed not a single disease but a constellation of sub-types given a substantial proportion of carcinomas labelled ovarian may actually originate outside the ovary, like the fallopian tubes. There is no regular screening for ovarian cancer, no known causes, only risk factors, and some research suggests the malignancy may begin outside the ovaries, at the end of the fallopian tubes.
The disease remains hard to treat given the knowledge deficit on causes and progress of the ailment.
Ovarian cancer is also among the most deadly cancers. The diagnosis often happens after the disease has spread as the symptoms can be easily dismissed as menstrual or abdominal discomfort. This is also the reason it is difficult to contain the cancer growth.
Johnson & Johnson: Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit
Pharma giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has come under fire following a slew of legal cases that have alleged prolonged use of the company’s baby talc has been linked with cases of ovarian cancer. Over a 1,000 women are suing the company alleging J&J failed to warn them of the link between the product and ovarian cancer despite having knowledge of the same for years.
According to reports, since 2013 the company has spent over $5 billion settling lawsuits over its drugs and medical devices. J&J has been selling baby powder for over a century now.
In February, A Missouri jury ruled that J&J pay $72 million to the family of an Alabama woman, who claimed her death was caused by use of the company’s baby powder, and other talcum products.
Lawyers for the family argued that Johnson & Johnson was aware the product was linked to a risk of cancer, but failed to warn customers in an effort to protect sales.
The three-week trial was the first of its kind and resulted in damages being paid over talcum products. This has meant several thousand more cases could be filed, adding to more than a thousand already pending.
Light at the end of the tunnel?
While, the world will watch as the J&J story unfolds from here on, pharma companies globally have been researching an impressive portfolio of drugs to effectively treat ovarian cancer.
Some results have disappointed like Array BioPharma (Nasdaq: ARRY) deciding to discontinue late-stage trials for binimetinib following an interim analysis showing the treatment did not meet predefined goals.
The drug candidate was being tested for three indications with Phase III data expected in second-half of 2017.
On the other hand there still are more than a handful of drugs in late-stage trials and we may be closer to some effective product launches over the next few years.
Here’s a quick look at the portfolio of ovarian cancer drug candidates in late to mid stage trials:
Anjali Shukla
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