Cancer Biopsy Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Advancements in liquid biopsy: These advances in cancer biopsy market enable circulating tumor DNA, RNA, and other biomarkers detection from a simple blood sample, allowing early cancer diagnosis, real-time monitoring of treatment response, and detection of minimal residual disease. Innovations in liquid biopsy techniques, such as improved sensitivity and the ability to identify a wide range of genetic mutations, have expanded their applications across multiple cancer types. For instance, in June 2023, Labcorp announced the launch of Labcorp Plasma Focus, which is a new liquid biopsy test enabling targeted therapy selection for patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.  This test allows oncologists to evaluate circulating cell-free DNA released by tumor cells for better care management.

• Expansion of research and development: R&D in the cancer biopsy market is accelerating the development of innovative diagnostic techniques and enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of cancer detection. Ongoing investments in molecular diagnostics, liquid biopsy technologies, and genetic profiling, R&D efforts are enabling the identification of specific cancer biomarkers. It also enables the identification of cancer mutations for targeted therapies and personalized treatment plans. In October 2023, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the UCLA School of Dentistry received a five-year $4.6 million grant from the National Cancer Institute. The grant aimed to help develop and advance liquid biopsy technologies for early detection of lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. for both men and women.

Challenges

• Risk of complications from invasive procedures: Traditional tissue biopsies can lead to potential side effects such as bleeding, infection, and tissue damage. These risks can deter patients from undergoing biopsy procedures, especially when tumors are located in hard-to-reach or sensitive areas. The possibility of complications can also increase healthcare costs due to the need for additional care or interventions. This may further lead some clinicians to opt for less invasive diagnostic alternatives, potentially impacting the demand for conventional biopsy methods, impacting the cancer biopsy market growth.

• Strict regulatory requirements: This further adds another level of complexity to the cancer biopsy market as companies must navigate rigorous approval processes to bring new biopsy techniques and products to the market. These requirements can vary significantly across regions, leading to delays in commercialization and added costs associated with compliance and clinical validation. The need to demonstrate safety, efficacy, and reproducibility for novel biopsy methods, such as liquid biopsies can also present barriers to adoption. This further slows down the introduction of innovative technologies that could otherwise enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment.