Press Releases

Treatment Approaches for Advanced Ovarian Cancer Vary by Oncology Specialist, According to Study by GfK Market Measures

Research reveals that medical and gynecologic oncologists converge on use of platinum-containing therapy for first-line therapy but diverge on choice of agents as patients progress

EAST HANOVER, NJ, January 9, 2008 — Though medical and gynecologic oncologists agree in their choice of first-line therapy for advanced ovarian cancer, as patients progress on therapy a marked difference emerges in the two subspecialists’ choice of agents, according to new research by GfK Market Measures.

Platinum-containing therapy is the standard first-line therapy choice of both medical and gynecologic oncologists and is administered to more than 95 percent of advanced ovarian cancer patients. But as patients progress following a platinum-based regimen, depending on whether they are “relapsed” (progress after six months) or are “refractory” (fail to respond or progress within six months), the specialty of the treating physician largely determines what second- and third-line therapy will be prescribed.

GfK Market Measures’ 2007 Medical Treatment of Ovarian Cancer Study showed medical oncologists are more apt to employ one of several cytotoxic brands, including Doxil, Gemzar and Hycamtin, with or without a platinum agent, as patients become relapsed or refractory. Conversely, in these cases, gynecologic oncologists are more likely to re-administer a platinum-based regimen, with a taxane or one of the other cytotoxics (cited above).

In addition to revealing differences between the two subspecialists’ therapy choices for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, the research also revealed that gynecologic oncologists are far more likely than their medical-based colleagues to adopt new screening tools to help guide treatment strategies. Most notably, they are far more likely than medical oncologists to test for biomarkers other than CA-125, such as cell surface antigens HER2 (screened for by more than one-third of gynecologic oncologists vs. less than one-fifth of medical oncologists) and EGFR (screened for by almost one-third of gynecologic oncologists vs. less than one-fifth of medical oncologists) and likewise use targeted therapies, such as prescribing hormonal therapy for HR-positive patients.

“Although the research revealed some interesting differences between the two subspecialists’ approaches to managing this disease, where both medical and gynecologic oncologists share common ground is in their view of a high unmet need for new agents that are not only more effective, but also those with a lower incidence of peripheral neuropathy, often reported with use of Taxol,” said Bill Bowman, vice president and category business leader, oncology, GfK Market Measures. “Gynecologic oncologists are also keen to embrace new therapies with a lower incidence of myelosuppression, a common toxicity of Taxotere. This may explain why so many of the physicians surveyed, especially gynecologic oncologists, report they are very likely to incorporate new taxane analogues and epothilones into treatment, as well as new targeted agents.”

More Than 150 Oncologists Share Their Insights

Reflecting insights from 150 medical/hematologist oncologists and gynecologic oncologists, fielded via Internet questionnaire September-December 2007, GfK Market Measures’ 2007 Medical Treatment of Ovarian Cancer Study provides analysis and insights into patient flow and treatment patterns for the disease.

About GfK Market Measures

GfK Market Measures provides health care clients with a unique mix of custom and syndicated solutions to support the full marketing continuum, including market assessment, brand tracking, sales force effectiveness, health care consumer and product launch applications. GfK Market Measures is a member of the GfK U.S. Healthcare Companies, the largest provider of custom health care marketing research services in the United States. For further information, visit www.gfkmarketmeasures.com. For more details on this study or to schedule an interview with a GfK Market Measures executive, please contact Jessica Makovsky, Group Vice President of Communications, GfK U.S. Healthcare Companies, at 215.283.3200 x372 or jmakovsky@gfkushc.com.