Market Trends of Global Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) Industry
The Negative Enrichment Segment is Expected to Hold a Major Market Share in the Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) Market
In the case of the positive enrichment method, it cannot isolate CTCs depending on heterogeneous properties. However, the negative enrichment method can isolate heterogeneous and intact CTCs by precisely eliminating blood cells. Thus, such an advantage of negative enrichment technology is expected to increase its adoption over the coming years.
Moreover, the rising prevalence of the various types of cancer is anticipated to bolster the segment's growth in the near future. According to the International Agency of Research on Cancer, 2020 Statistics, liver cancer was the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with an estimated 905,677 new cases and 830,180 deaths. East Asia had the highest incidence, with 491,687 cases. Moreover, the incidence rate was 46,599 in North America and 26,128 in western Europe. Overall, the incidence rate of liver cancer is approximately three times higher in males than in females.
Furthermore, according to an article published by the American Cancer Society in January 2022, kidney cancer is among the ten most common cancers in both men and women in the United States. Overall, the lifetime risk for developing kidney cancer in men is about 1 in 46, and in women is about 1 in 80, which is significantly high. Cancer prevention is one of the most significant challenges with this growing burden. The analysis of circulating tumor cells is a substantial aspect of monitoring disease progression or response to treatment, specifically as a companion diagnostic for new anticancer drugs and research into the mechanisms of disease progression.
In addition, negative enrichment has advantages over positive enrichment in isolating CTCs, owing to which the segment is expected to witness high growth over the forecast period. For instance, the study titled "Negative enrichment of circulating tumor cells from unmanipulated whole blood with a 3D printed device," published in October 2021, stated that the negative enrichment approach is advantageous because it leads to the unbiased detection of CTCs and also produces intact tumor cells free of attached immuno-agents, eliminating potential artifacts in downstream studies. Thus, the market segment is expected to grow significantly with the advantages of negative enrichment methods over other enrichment technologies.
Thus, the studied segment is expected to contribute significantly to the market's growth owing to the abovementioned factors.
North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Share in the Market and Expected to do Same in the Forecast Period
North America is expected to contribute to the significant growth of the market owing to factors such as the increasing burden of cancer, product approvals, and rising research and development activities. For instance, according to the estimates of the 2022 American Cancer Society, Inc., about 236,740 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the country in 2022. The same source also states that 79,000 new cases of kidney cancer and 13,920 deaths will be reported in 2022 from kidney cancer. The high burden of cancer is expected to boost the demand for CTC detection kits, thereby driving market growth.
Additionally, product approvals in the studied market are further expected to drive market growth. For instance, in November 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the approved uses for a blood test, known as a liquid biopsy, that can help doctors pick the best treatments for some people with cancer. The test identifies cancer-related genetic changes in DNA from tumor cells released into the blood.
Moreover, according to a study, "Cancer cells alter protein production machinery to hasten metastasis," published in February 2020, CTCs enriched from the blood of breast cancer patients have higher levels of ribosomal proteins (RP), and their presence is associated with increased disease aggressiveness and poor clinical outcomes. Thus, studies evaluating the presence of ribosomal proteins in CTCs will lead to an effective cancer diagnosis, thus driving the market. In addition, the United States has one of the most successful products, the CellSearch Circulating Tumor Cell Kit, which is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The product has reimbursement facilities through various public and private payers in several states, such as Cigna Government Services, Noridian, and United Healthcare. Several universities across the United States have relied on CTCs applications to advance the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine.
Thus, the market studied is expected to witness high growth over the forecast period owing to all the factors above.
