Xofigo prescriptions set to expand rapidly

An estimated 25 percent of radiation oncologists were already prescribing Radium-223 dichloride (Ra-223) injection, otherwise known as Xofigo, for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer one month after its launch, according to a market research report published Sept. 16 by BioTrends Research Group.

The FDA cleared use of the therapy in May of this year. The pharmaceutical market analysis group surveyed oncologists in July and indicated that almost half of those not currently prescribing the treatment at that time expected to begin within the next six months.

“Surveyed medical oncologists cited the need to refer patients to a licensed nuclear medicine facility as one of the main disadvantages of Xofigo compared to other agents used to treat docetaxel-naive and docetaxel-pretreated mCRPC,” indicated senior analyst Khurram Nawaz in the release. “We also find that just over half of Xofigo non-prescribers indicated that they are aware of the nearest location licensed for Xofigo administration.”

Approximately half of those surveyed viewed the drug favorably and considered prescribing for both those who had and had not been administered docetaxel, a commonly prescribed chemotherapy. The research group surveyed 75 medical oncologists and conducted qualitative interviews of 13 medical oncologists for the report.