Decision Resources, a research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that the uptake of premium-priced agents will fuel 5% annual growth in the breast cancer market, with sales reaching more than $15 billion in 2022 in the U.S., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the U.K. and Japan.

The uptake of Roche/Genentech/Chugai’s Perjeta and Kadcyla for HER2-positive disease, as well as the continued use of Novartis’s Afinitor and launch of Pfizer’s palbociclib for hormone-receptor positive disease will contribute to growth in the breast cancer market through 2022, off-setting sales erosion of key current therapies such as Roche/Genentech/Chugai’s Herceptin that are due to lose patent protection over the next decade.

The Pharmacor Breast Canceradvisory service also finds that sales for HER2-positive breast cancer dominate the current market, accounting for 41% of major market sales in 2012 and will continue to do so through 2022, owing to the availability of several targeted agents specifically approved for this market segment.

The findings also reveal strong sales growth from agents positioned to treat hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. Afinitor’s launch in this indication in 2011 as well as palbociclib’s anticipated approval will boost sales from this large market segment.

“New market entrants are set to change the way many breast cancer patients are treated by 2022,” said Amy Duval, Decision Resources principal analyst. “The evolving HER2-positive market segment will see the incorporation of Perjeta and Kadcyla, diversifying the treatment options available for these patients at different stages of disease. Targeted therapies Afinitor and palbociclib will impact the way many advanced hormone receptor-positive patients are managed.”