Liver Cancer Drug Market (By Drug Class: Targeted Therapy, Immunotherapy, Chemotherapy) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Regional Outlook and Forecast 2024-2033

The global liver cancer drug market size was estimated at around USD 2.78 billion in 2023 and it is projected to hit around USD 11.59 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 15.35% from 2024 to 2033. The liver cancer drug market is a dynamic sector within the pharmaceutical industry that plays a pivotal role in addressing the complexities associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This overview delves into key facets shaping the market, from its current landscape to the factors driving innovation and challenges that underscore the need for advancements.

Key Pointers

• North America region led the market with the highest market share of 44% in 2023.
• Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 17.63% from 2024 to 2033.
• By Drug Class, the targeted therapy segment registered the maximum market share of 55% in 2022.
• By Drug Class, the immunotherapy segment is anticipated to grow at the noteworthy CAGR of 17.35% over the forecast period.

Liver Cancer Drug Market Growth

The growth of the liver cancer drug market is propelled by several key factors. Firstly, the escalating global incidence of liver cancer, attributed to factors such as chronic liver diseases and viral hepatitis infections, underscores the urgent need for effective therapeutic interventions. The continuous advancements in research and development by major pharmaceutical companies contribute significantly to the expansion of the market. The emergence of innovative treatment modalities, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies, has reshaped the treatment landscape, providing patients with more tailored and effective options. Strategic collaborations between industry leaders and research institutions further stimulate market growth by fostering a collaborative environment for accelerated drug development. The increasing recognition of immunotherapy as a promising avenue for liver cancer treatment has also played a pivotal role in driving market expansion. As the market continues to address unmet medical needs and capitalize on scientific breakthroughs, these growth factors collectively contribute to the dynamic evolution of the liver cancer drug market.

Report Scope of the Liver Cancer Drug Market

Liver Cancer Drug Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Rising Disease Incidence: The increasing prevalence and incidence of liver cancer globally, attributed to factors such as chronic liver diseases and viral hepatitis infections, act as a primary driver for the growth of the liver cancer drug market.
• Research and Development Investments: The continuous influx of substantial investments in research and development by major pharmaceutical companies fuels the development of novel therapeutic interventions, driving market growth and innovation.

Restraints

• Treatment-Related Toxicities: The occurrence of treatment-related toxicities, often associated with conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation, poses a significant restraint to the liver cancer drug market, impacting patient quality of life and treatment adherence.
• Drug Resistance: The emergence of drug resistance, a common challenge in cancer treatment, limits the long-term efficacy of certain liver cancer drugs. This phenomenon necessitates ongoing research efforts to overcome resistance mechanisms and enhance treatment durability.

Opportunities

• Advancements in Precision Medicine: Opportunities abound in the realm of precision medicine, where further understanding of molecular and genetic factors can lead to the development of targeted therapies tailored to individual patients. This approach holds the potential to enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects.
• Exploration of Combination Therapies: The exploration of combination therapies, involving the simultaneous use of different treatment modalities, presents a promising opportunity. Combining targeted therapies with immunotherapies or conventional treatments may yield synergistic effects, improving overall treatment outcomes

Drug Class Insights

The targeted therapy segment held the largest market revenue share of 55% in 2023. The dominant share of this drug class is owing to factors such as targeted therapies being known to be more effective than traditional chemotherapy in treating liver cancer. In some cases, targeted therapies have been shown to prolong survival in patients with this illness.

According to the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), genome-targeted therapy, which involves using treatments tailored to an individual's genetic makeup, has shown promising advancements in recent years. In 2006, the estimated response rate to this type of therapy was 2.73%, indicating that only a small portion of patients experienced positive outcomes. However, by the end of 2018, the response rate had more than doubled to 5.48%, signifying a notable improvement in treatment effectiveness.

Furthermore, the progress in genome-targeted therapy continued in the following years, and by 2020, the estimated response rate further increased to 7.04%. This indicates that a higher percentage of patients treated with personalized genomic interventions experienced positive outcomes, offering renewed hope for more effective and precise treatments.

Based on drug class, the liver cancer drugs market is segmented into targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. The immunotherapy segment is expected to expand at the highest CAGR of 17.35% over the forecast period. The segment is expected to progress rapidly due to factors such as the increasing prevalence of liver cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2023, it is estimated that the disease will result in 29,380 deaths in the U.S., comprising 19,000 men and 10,380 women.

Among men, liver cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer-related deaths, and for women, it is the seventh most common cause. Although the death rate from liver cancer more than doubled between 1980 and 2016, it stabilized between 2016 and 2020 for both men and women. These figures underscore the ongoing challenge posed by liver cancer in public health and emphasize the continued need for research, prevention strategies, and advancements in treatments to mitigate its impact on individuals and communities.

Regional Insights

North America region dominated the market with the largest market share of 44% in 2023. The region is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period due to factors such as increasing awareness regarding liver cancer, availability of reimbursement for liver cancer drugs, and strong research and development activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer is a condition characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells within the body. When this abnormal cell growth occurs in the liver, it is referred to as liver cancer.

Annually, approximately 11,000 women and 25,000 men are diagnosed with liver cancer in the U.S., with around 19,000 men and 9,000 women losing their lives to this disease. Over the years, the incidence rate of liver cancer in the U.S. experienced an upward trend but has recently started to decline. Despite this decline, liver cancer remains a significant health concern, and its impact on affected individuals and their families is substantial.

In December 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced a proposed rule for the Medicare Program in 2024 to enhance health equity and streamline utilization management in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is in full support of this rule, especially the provisions that require MA plans to follow National Coverage Determinations (NCD), Local Coverage Determinations (LCD), and traditional Medicare regulations, aligning with ASTRO's advocacy efforts. The CMS taking steps to reform MA would result in improved patient care and greater access to essential healthcare services.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 17.63% during the forecast period. This is owing to the high prevalence of liver cancer in the region. As per the NCBI, in Asia, liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer form and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. In 2020, approximately 609,596 new liver cancer cases were reported in Asia, accounting for around 72.5% of the global incidence, with an Age-Standardized Rate (ASR) of 11.6 per 100,000.

Regarding mortality, there were about 566,269 liver cancer-related deaths in Asia in 2020, representing 72.4% of the total liver cancer deaths worldwide. According to a report by Cancer Australia, liver cancer ranked as the seventh most common cause of cancer-related death in the year 2020. It is projected to maintain its position as the seventh most common cause in 2022. In 2020, a total of 2,192 deaths were attributed to liver cancer in Australia, with 1,468 males and 724 females.

Liver Cancer Drug Market Key Companies

• Bayer AG
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• Eisai Co., Ltd.
• Exelixis, Inc.
• Merck KGaA

Liver Cancer Drug Market Report Segmentations:

By Drug Class

• Targeted Therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Chemotherapy

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa