Cancer is a well-known complex disease that results in millions of deaths across the globe. According to the report of the American Cancer Society, in 2023, around 1,958,310 new cases of cancer have been diagnosed, and around 609,820 cancer deaths occurred in the United States. The vast number of deaths result from late diagnosis or multifaceted factors involved in cancer, such as genetic, molecular, cellular, environmental, and others. Though conventional diagnostic technologies are available, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), and biopsy, the results are not effective as they depend on phenotypic characters and tumorigenic properties of the tumor.
To address the concern, cancer biomarkers emerge as an innovative solution for the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from tumors. Cancer biomarker is a form of biological molecule present in the body of tissues that indicate disease conditions or abnormal processes.
Cancer biomarker can be a tumor-secreted molecule or a specific reaction of the body to cancer. However, the cancer biomarkers alone may be insufficient for determining the response of therapies and drugs due to differences in the genomic makeup of patients. With advances in technology, cancer biomarkers market players are developing various high throughput tools that enable the production of better biomarkers on the basis of exome and genome profiles.
Some examples of advanced biomarker, such as microsatellite instability (MSI) / mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, are currently being evaluated across various stages of clinical studies. Owing to the increasing trends toward the use of biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and treatment, several pharmaceutical companies have developed/are developing different analytical tests for biomarkers that will assist in creating personalized treatment-related plans. With the ongoing research activities in this domain and increasing demand for alternative solutions for cancer diagnosis, the cancer biomarker market is estimated to grow at a higher rate in the upcoming years.
Cancer Biomarkers Market: Competitive Landscape
Currently, nearly 50 companies are engaged in the cancer biomarkers market, offering a wide range of analytical testing solutions for the identification of cancer biomarkers. The majority of these analytical testing solutions are intended to improve crucial therapy-related decisions. Overall, the cancer biomarkers market features the presence of industry and non-industry players who hold the required expertise to develop cancer biomarker.
It is interesting to note that more than 70 unique tests are offered by players who are actively engaged in this market to detect the presence of various cancer cells for clinical research and commercial usage. To date, nearly 200 trials have been conducted to evaluate the expression of advanced biomarkers currently registered across various cancer indications, stages of development, and key geographical regions.
Driven by the efforts of key players in this field, the cancer biomarkers market size is estimated to be worth USD 868 million in 2030; it is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 18.3% in the upcoming years.
Emerging Trends Shaping Cancer Biomarker Market
Early diagnosis of cancer is a promising approach to treat patients and prevent them from severe consequences. Moreover, during cancer treatment, patients may be required to undergo multiple biopsies or assays to determine the treatment progress. The invasive procedures cause difficulty in diagnosis and cause a reduction in patient compliance. To meet the demand for advanced cancer diagnosis procedures, several researchers are emphasizing the development of minimally invasive procedures and advanced biomarkers that facilitate early diagnosis of cancer. Some of the emerging trends shaping the cancer biomarkers market are listed below:
- Genomic Biomarkers
Genomic biomarkers emerged as a high-throughput sequencing technology that has gained traction in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. This comprehensive technology allows detailed analysis of tumor genomes, gene amplification, identifying mutations, and gene blending that serve as an actionable prognostic indicator. Further, the genomic biomarkers will help in the early diagnosis of tumors, thereby allowing clinicians to make an informed decision about treatment strategy.
- Immunotherapy Biomarkers
Immunotherapies have been a crucial part of cancer treatment owing to their target-specific approach. With the rising adoption of immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, there will be a surge in the requirement for cancer biomarkers to predict immunological responses and track treatment efficacy. In this context, immunotherapy biomarkers such as tumor mutational burden, PD-L1 expression, and the presence of particular immune cell subsets are currently being evaluated that can direct the immunotherapy decision-making process for the patients.
- Multi-Omics Implication
Multi-omics integration, including genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, helps to determine complex molecular structures associated with cancer development and progression. With multi-omics integration, healthcare experts can conduct a detailed analysis of tumor biology, identify advanced biomarkers for early detection, and design tailored treatment plans.
- Microbiome Biomarkers
The microbiome is a budding area of research owing to the growing understanding of the role of gut microbiota in cancer development and treatment. Driven by the ongoing trends, several cancer biomarkers market players have begun to explore microbiome-based biomarkers such as metabolites and bacterial profiles to identify cancer risk, treatment-associated side effects, and the response of patients to therapies.
Leading Players in Cancer Biomarkers Market
The significance offered by cancer biomarkers in the diagnosis and treatment of tumor patients has catered to the attention of leading players to drive innovations in this field. Presently, industrial stakeholders are emphasizing technological advancements, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, for the development of novel cancer biomarkers that help in early detection and the development of personalized treatment plans. Examples of the top industrial leaders who are propelling growth in the cancer biomarkers market are listed below:
- Dr Lal PathLabs
- Foundation Medicine
- NeoGenomics Laboratories
- Novogene
- Personal Genome Diagnostics
- Shenzhen Yuce Biotechnology
- Q2 Solutions
Current Milestones in Cancer Biomarker Market
Several breakthrough technological innovations and collaborations have taken place in the cancer biomarkers market. The aim of the collaborations and partnerships is to support the development of advanced biomarkers to facilitate research on cancer diagnosis and treatment. Some examples of the key activities in this field are mentioned below:
- In September 2023, Ibex launched the first Galen Breast HER2 in order to support the biomarkers for breast cancer patients.
- In July 2023, Quest Diagnostics, conjointly with Envision, launched a new prostate cancer biomarker test to meet the key requirements for identifying and distinguishing potential prostate cancer in men.
- In February 2023, Guardant Health and Lunit signed a partnership agreement to enhance cancer biomarker detection.
