How many alternatives to standard therapy has the FDA approved in 2016-2021?

Over the past decade, oncology has opened up due to the development and approval of innovative therapies such as immunotherapy drugs (such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab) and targeted therapy drugs (such as osimertinib and alectinib) A new era of therapy, known as the "Golden Age of Oncology"
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Despite the unexpected difficulties brought about by the global outbreak in early 2020, the FDA still approved more new anti-tumor drugs in 2020 than in 2019, and several cancer drugs are approved by the FDA every month

"Golden age in oncology" It's unclear how many of these newly approved cancer drugs are replacing existing standard treatments rather than just adding an option

Market competition is one of the most critical factors leading to lower drug prices
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We want to focus on how many oncology drugs are approved for already competitive indications and the potential for eventual price reductions; how many drugs prolong patient survival but are not necessarily competitive in the marketplace

We want to focus on how many oncology drugs are approved for already competitive indications and the potential for eventual price reductions; how many drugs prolong patient survival but are not necessarily competitive in the marketplace

The study evaluates cancer drugs approved by the FDA between May 1, 2016 and May 31, 2021, based on New Drug Approval Notices for Solid Tumors/Hematological Malignancies published on the FDA's official website
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All clinical trials based on FDA approval decisions during this period were reviewed, and control regimens were evaluated against NCCN guidelines to determine whether the drug replaced previous standard of care

A drug is classified as first-line displacing dugs if it is approvedas first-line therapy for an indication and replaces the previous standard of care ; if the drug is already approved for first-line treatment, However, if it does not replace the standard treatment at the time of approval, or is a similar new drug approved for the same indication, it will be classified as a first-line drug alternatives/new ; Drugs approved for use in combination therapy, or classified as add on therapy if the drug is approved for adjuvant or maintenance therapy ; add on if the drug is approved for second-line, third-line, or post-third-line treatment follow-up treatment
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They are classified as subsequent line durgs

First-line displacing durgs First-line drug alternatives/new Add on therapy Subsequent line durgs

From May 1, 2016 to May 31, 2021, the FDA approved a total of 207 solid tumor/hematologic malignancies drugs
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Of these, 28 (14%) were first-line replacement drugs that replaced previously approved cancer therapies and were considered standard of care for their respective indications; 32 (15%) were first-line options and were approved for first-line therapy , but will not replace existing standard care; 61 drugs (29%) were complementary treatments , approved in addition to previously approved treatments or approved for maintenance and adjuvant therapy; finally, 86 treatments (42 %) are approved as supplementary later-line therapy for second-, third-, or second-line therapy

28 (14%) were first -line alternatives 32 (15%) were first-line options 61 (29%) were complementary treatments 86 (42%) were approved as second-, third-, or second-line treatments Supplementary post-line therapy

Types of Oncology Drugs Approved by FDA during 2016/5/1-2021/5/31

Notably, the number of FDA-approved drugs varies across tumor types
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Lung cancer drugs are the most common (37 kinds), followed by urogenital system tumors (28 kinds), leukemia (25 kinds) and other common tumors

Lung cancer drugs are the most common (37 kinds), followed by urogenital system tumors (28 kinds), leukemia (25 kinds) and other common tumors

Number of different oncology drugs approved by FDA during 2016/5/1-2021/5/31

Of course, this study also has some limitations
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Some drugs may replace the second- and third-line standard of care, but they were not included in this study.
For example, avelumab for first-line maintenance therapy in urothelial carcinoma may replace the use of second-line immunotherapy
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There are also specific treatments that may replace existing alternative treatment modalities, such as radium-223 in prostate cancer that may replace external radiation therapy, but are considered beyond the scope of this study
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Some drugs may replace the second- and third-line standard of care, but they were not included in this study.
For example, avelumab for first-line maintenance therapy in urothelial carcinoma may replace the use of second-line immunotherapy
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Overall, in this cross-sectional study, it can be seen that the vast majority of approved oncology drugs are for second-line, third-line, or beyond, which may benefit patients with few alternatives, but It also increases treatment costs and further delays palliative care and comfort services
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Fewer than 1 in 7 newly approved drugs are competitive enough to replace existing standard of care
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Only 1 in 6 drugs are approved as alternative first-line treatment options or first-in-class drugs, both of which have the potential to provide strong competition and work to reduce cancer drug prices in the pharmaceutical market
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However, practical examples based on price competition are rare in actual clinical practice in the United States
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There are also a small number of new treatments or new therapies (eg entrectinib and larotrectinib) that do not replace any existing therapies, but because they are of great significance to patients for whom there is no satisfactory alternative treatment, they become viable new treatments in the second line and beyond.
therapy
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It is well worth considering how to implement further incentives to maximize effective competition in the cancer drug field
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These late-line drugs may benefit patients with few alternatives, but also increase treatment costs and further delay palliative care and placebo services