Merkel Cell Carcinoma - A Pipeline Analysis Report

Overview of the drug development for merkel cell carcinoma

Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a rare type of skin cancer, which develops when Merkel cells grow out of control. Merkel cells are present in the top layer of the skin and are involved in touch sensation. Though this health condition is rare, it is an aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer with frequent metastasis and death. MCC develops as a firm, rapidly enlarging, painless, and red-violet cutaneous nodule with a smooth surface. The site that gets affected by MCC most frequently is the head and neck region followed by the trunk and the limbs. MCC has been believed to be a cancer of immunogenic nature, as it develops more often in patients with suppressed immunity because of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and organ transplant in comparison with the people with adequate immunity. The two primary causative factors of MCC include clonal integration of Merkel cell polyomavirus and exposure to UV light. As per the NIH, MCC incidences have increased almost four times over the past two decades in the US. The number of reported MCC cases has increased by over 95% during 2000-2013. In 2013, the incidence rate of MCC was 0.7 cases / 100,000 person-years in the US, corresponding to 2,488 cases per year. Such rising incidences of the disease are expected to promote the drug development for merkel cell carcinoma in the upcoming years.

According to this pipeline analysis report, most of the gene therapy molecules in the pipeline are being developed for Merkel cell carcinoma. Our market research analysts have also identified that most of these molecules are in the pre-clinical development stage and a considerable number of molecules have been discontinued from development.

Companies covered

This pipeline analysis report provides a detailed analysis of the companies that are involved in the development of drug development molecules for the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma. In addition to providing information on the various stages of molecules developed by companies for different indications, this pipeline analysis report also provides information about the drug development molecules discontinued by companies.

Some of the companies covered in this pipeline analysis report are –

• 4SC
• Incyte
• NantKwest
• Philogen

Therapeutic assessment of the drug development for merkel cell carcinoma by route of administration

• Intravenous
• Oral
• Intratumoral
• Parenteral
• Intralesional
• Intravenous + intratumoral/ intramuscular

The intravenous route of administration (ROA) involves the application of the drug directly into the veins, which will have a more direct effect on the target cells.

Therapeutic assessment of the drug development for merkel cell carcinoma by therapy

• Monotherapy
• Combination therapy
• Monotherapy/combination therapy

According to this pipeline analysis report, about 39% of the molecules that are currently in the drug development pipeline for Merkel cell carcinoma are being developed as monotherapy drugs and most of these molecules are in the pre-clinical stage of development.

Key questions answered in the report include

• What are the drug development molecules in the various development stages for Merkel Cell Carcinoma?
• What are the companies that are currently involved in the drug development for merkel cell carcinoma?
• Insight into discontinued/inactive molecules with appropriate reasoning?
• What are the major regulatory authorities approving drugs in various regions?
• Detailed profiling of each active molecule

Technavio also offers customization on reports based on specific client requirement.