Liver Metastases Treatment Market (2024 - 2030)

Market Size & Trends

The global liver metastases treatment market size was estimated at USD 1.63 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3% from 2024 to 2030. This can be attributed to the rising incidence of the target disease. For instance, the American Cancer Society estimates approximately 1,958,310 new cancer cases and 609,820 deaths in U.S. in 2023.

Liver metastases are especially prevalent in breast and colorectal cancers, impacting both young women and men. The increasing cases indicate a growing burden, which is expected to boost the demand for treatment over the forecast period.

Increasing research initiatives show positive results, contributing to market growth. Several government and non-profit organizations are actively involved in research activities. For instance, the National Cancer Institute is running a program P01 focusing on understanding the common mechanism involved in developing liver metastases using a disparate tumor model. Successful completion of study is expected to boost the development of novel diagnostics and medicines for the treatment in the coming years.

Investments in drug development drive market expansion by contributing to innovation and diversifying treatment options. Ongoing efforts focus on discovering novel therapies, contributing to a broader array of available treatments for various medical conditions. These initiatives promote a competitive landscape, introducing alternatives that cater to diverse patient needs. As research progresses, it opens avenues for partnerships and collaborations, creating a dynamic ecosystem that adapts to emerging healthcare challenges. For instance, in February 2023, the FDA grants Orphan Drug Designation to Genoscience Pharma's ezurpimtrostat for treating HepatoCellular Carcinoma (HCC). The autophagy inhibitor drug undergoes clinical trials, showing promise in combating liver cancer with ongoing research.

Market Dynamics

Ongoing clinical trials and promising results may contribute to a more diverse and effective range of treatment modalities, addressing the need for improved solutions in global market. Moreover, regulatory support plays a key role by validating the safety and efficacy of novel therapies, which further contribute in market expansion. For instance, in Feburary 2023, AstraZeneca receives EU approval for Imfinzi and Imjudo (immunotherapy combinations), emphasizing positive results from HIMALAYA and POSEIDON Phase III trials. The collaborative efforts of drug development and regulatory support contribute to innovation and market expansion.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved an Innovation Center concept that is anticipated to raise the standard of care for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and lower medicare costs by allowing clinicians to concentrate on providing high-quality care. The new Radiation Oncology (RO) Model enables focus on value-based care by establishing easier, more predictable payment structures that encourage clinically and financially sound treatments to raise standards of quality and outcomes. The RO Model, which was implemented on January 1, 2021, as part of a final rule on specialized care models published by CMS, is expected to save Medicare USD 230 million over the course of five years.

Medicare now compensates clinicians and suppliers for each distinct service they provide under a fee-for-service payment model. In addition, Medicare pays for radiotherapy differently depending on whether the patient receives care in an outpatient hospital department or a standalone radiation therapy facility. Although the beneficiaries' actual treatment and care are the same, these disparities in payment rates may encourage Medicare providers and suppliers to administer radiotherapy over a longer period or in one setting rather than another, which could result in higher costs for beneficiaries.

Treatment Type Insights

Targeted therapy segment dominated the global market with a revenue share of 56.52% in 2023 and is estimated to witness the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The wide availability of molecular targeted therapy drugs and emergence as an effective alternative medicine over other treatment methodologies. Some of the key molecular targeted therapy drugs used are Cetuximab, Panizumab, and Bevacizumab. Among them, Cetuximab and Panizumab are the most used drugs. Cetuximab is used as first-line drug therapy in patients with colon cancer liver metastases (CCLM). Thus, growing use of targeted therapy medicines to treat patients with the colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) is projected to drive market growth.

The chemotherapy segment is projected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. This can be attributed to their high usage rate in the past years due to increasing incidence of primary cancers that are responsible for liver metastases in patients. Systemic chemotherapy is mostly used in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma due to prolonged survival time compared to other treatment methodologies. Several research studies demonstrated that the use of oxaliplatin in combination with fluorouracil and calcium folinate increases rate of survival in CRLM patients.

Primary Cancer Insights

The colorectal cancer segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 40.55% in 2023. This dominance can be attributed to rising incidence of colorectal liver metastases. Liver is main site for distant metastasis in male population with colorectal cancer. For instance, according to American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer, excluding skin cancers, ranks as the third most common cancer in U.S., with an estimated 106,970 new colon and 46,050 rectal cases in 2023. Various research articles and studies suggest that approximately 25-30% of patients with colorectal cancer develop liver metastases, hence, early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer is most important to reduce the burden of liver metastases.

The breast cancer segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, especially due to the risk of liver metastases in women with metastatic breast cancer. According to Breastcancer.org, nearly 50% of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer develop liver metastases with a significant occurrence. Moreover, breast cancer and other prominent cancers contributing to liver metastases encompass bladder, kidney, and lung cancers. This trend is expected to drive the segment at a lucrative CAGR during the forecast period, increasing the significance of addressing liver metastases in various cancer types.

Distribution Channel Insights

The hospital pharmacies segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 60.07% in 2023. The dominance of this segment can be attributed to high hospitalization rate of patients suffering with liver metastases. In addition, chemotherapy is generally administered in combination with radiation therapy, which is administered in hospitals, which further contributes to the segment’s dominance. Specialty pharmacies are a key component in the distribution of oncology drugs. Specialty pharmacists have experience in dealing with products with special handling requirements and complex dosing schedules; hence are used as a major distribution medium for oncology drugs.

Specialty pharmacy segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The segment growth is attributed to the rising prevalence of liver metastases. The increasing demand for specialized medications and services tailored to the unique needs of liver cancer patients, along with advancements in therapeutic options, drives the need for specialized pharmaceutical care. This trend is anticipated to fuel the significant growth of specialty pharmacy services, ensuring targeted and effective treatments for individuals dealing with liver metastases.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the global market with a revenue share of 40.82% in 2023. Availability of advanced treatment options to improve treatment access and favorable reimbursement policies for stage 4 cancers are factors responsible for dominance. There are around 140,000 people with liver metastases annually in U.S. In addition, in August 2023, Delcath Systems receives FDA approval for Hepzato Kit in treating unresectable hepatic-dominant metastatic uveal melanoma. The approval is expected to drive market growth.

Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to the high target disease prevalence. Increasing healthcare expenditure and favorable insurance policies & coverage are further expected to aid market growth. Due to a lack of effective screening practices and access to healthcare in this region, cancers are mostly diagnosed at advanced stages. This represents a key growth opportunity for the market players.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The industry is strategically competitive, and market players are involved in activities such as strategic collaborations, new product launches, acquisitions, technological advancements, and regional expansion.

• In April 2023, Ablaze Pharmaceuticals announced to initiate clinical trials for a novel peptide drug focused on GPC3 for addressing liver cancer in China. This development stems from the company's licensing agreement for the first-of-its-kind drug candidate, established through a pre-existing collaboration with RayzeBio.

• In March 2023, Newcastle researchers received £6 million (~USD 7.32 million) from Cancer Research UK for cancer studies. Grants include funds for medulloblastoma, bowel cancer, liver cancer immunotherapy, early melanoma treatment, and cancer screening programs.

• In March 2023, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center collaborated with Auransa on a phase 1 clinical trial for AU409, a novel drug targeting liver cancer and solid tumors.

Liver Metastases Treatment Market