Cancer Cachexia Market Size & Outlook, 2025-2033

Cancer Cachexia Market Overview

The global cancer cachexia market size was valued at USD 2.71 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow from USD 2.83 billion in 2025 to reach USD 4.09 billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period (2025–2033). The growth of the market is attributed to the increasing prevalence of cancer cachexia, strong r&d, and product pipeline.

Key Market Indicators

• North America dominated the cancer cachexia industry and accounted for a 40.8% share in 2024.
• Based on therapeutics, the progestogens segment accounted for the largest market share of 13% in 2024.
• Based on the mechanism of action, the appetite stimulators segment accounted for the largest market share of the market, with a share of 45.01% in 2024.

Market Size & Forecast

• 2024 Market Size: USD 2.71 billion
• 2033 Projected Market Size: USD 4.09 billion
• CAGR (2025–2033): 4.7%
• North America: Largest market in 2024
• Europe: Fastest-growing region

The American Cancer Society's "Cancer Facts & Figures 2025" report provides projections for the United States. It estimates that in 2025, there will be over 2 million new cancer cases and more than 618,000 cancer deaths in the U.S. The WHO and other research bodies have made projections for the coming decades based on current trends. For example, some projections estimate that if current trends continue, the number of new cancer cases could rise to over 33 million and deaths to 18 million by 2050. The survival rates are currently the lowest due to improper healthcare infrastructure and a lack of awareness among people in these countries. As a result, cancer cachexia, characterized by systemic inflammation, a negative protein, energy balance, and an unintentional loss of lean body mass, is more common in cancer patients due to the high incidence of malignancies globally.

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Cancer Cachexia Market Growth Factors

Increasing Prevalence of Cancer Cachexia

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer- Globocan 2020 report, 9,958,133 cancer-related deaths globally in 2020 out of 19,292,789 new cancer cases were identified. Global estimates put the number of cancer cases within five years at 50,550,287. Globally, 28,887,940 new cases of cancer are anticipated by 2040.

Additionally, as per GLOBOCAN 2020, lung cancer cases accounted for 2,206771 new cancer cases diagnosed in 2020 globally, with 495,773 pancreatic, 604,100 esophageal, 1,414,259 prostate, and 1,148,515 colon cancers diagnosed in 2020 globally. As cachexia is highly prevalent in patients with the types of cancer mentioned above, there exists an increasing demand for cancer cachexia therapeutics over the coming years.

Europe accounts for approximately 22.8% of global cancer cases, as per GLOBOCAN 2020. Moreover, cancer incidence is estimated to increase by 21.0% from 2020 to 2040. This rate is relatively high, considering Europe has only 9.0% of the global population. Similarly, a high cancer prevalence rate was observed in Asia, with 9,503,710 new cancer cases in 2020, accounting for 49.3% of global cancer cases. The number of cases is estimated to increase by 59.2% from 2020 to 2040.

Moreover, Cancer Research UK suggests that the population suffering from cancer is expected to increase. As per the report, if recent trends in the incidence of significant cancers and population growth are consistent, it is predicted that there will be 27.5 million new cancer cases worldwide each year by 2040, an increase of 61.7% from 2018. New cancer cases are expected to be higher in males, with an approximate rise of 67.6%, compared to females, with an estimated increase of 55.3%. Thus, the high cancer incidence surges the demand for advanced therapeutic drugs, which drives the growth of the studied market.

Strong R&d and Product Pipeline

Owing to the high incidence of cancer cachexia cases among cancer patients globally, there has been an increasing focus on clinical studies to identify the characteristics of cancer cachexia across several different types of cancers in humans. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in muscle loss throughout the progression of cancer cachexia is an urgent issue to improve cancer outcomes. Thus, extensive R&D activities are in progress with a vast product pipeline.

• For instance, Aavogen Inc. has a pipeline of products, "AVGN7", developed to treat inclusion body myositis, cancer cachexia, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The investigational product completed the discovery and proof-of-concept stages, and the preclinical phase is currently ongoing.
• Additionally, in March 2019, Helsinn Group initiated Phase III Program to evaluate anamorelin for weight loss and anorexia in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with cachexia. Alumni, a ghrelin receptor agonist, was given manufacturing and marketing authorization by Helsinn Group and Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd in Japan to treat cancer cachexia in malignant tumors of non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, or colorectal cancer.

The University of Copenhagen, in partnership with the New Zealand University Hospital, began clinical research on the impact of medical cannabis on lean body mass (cachexia) in patients receiving chemotherapy that included oxaliplatin or paclitaxel in December 2020. Thus, there has been increasing interest and research activities in evaluating various parameters related to cancer cachexia disease condition and simultaneous product pipeline development by the major players, which is expected to boost the studied market growth over the forecast period significantly.

Market Restraining Factors

Stringent Regulatory Requirements

As cancer cachexia occurs more often in terminally ill cancer patients, the drugs used to treat this disorder usually must adhere strictly to the standards followed by other cancer drugs. Stringent regulatory requirements mean that many countries have long timelines for approving pharmaceutical drugs, especially cancer-related ones. Countries have significant differences in the time required to approve cancer drugs per their prevailing national regulatory standards. For example, in the United States, the FDA must decide within 12 months on regular applications, and within six months, in the case of applications designated for priority review.

In Europe, the CHMP must give its opinion within 210 days. This is followed by a decision-making phase that can take up to three months. Thus, patients generally gain access to promising drugs (like drugs for cancer cachexia) at different times. This severely limits the marketing ability of most large companies. As cancer cachexia drugs are administered to terminally ill patients, late approvals in countries mean that many patients lose out on potentially necessary medication that can be used to improve their quality of life.

Due to the multifactorial character of cachexia, multimodal interventional trials, like the MENAC study, offer the best chance to connect response with a therapeutic intervention, according to the research article published in Annals of Palliative Medicine in 2019. Hence, meeting the endpoints, as per the requirements of regulatory bodies, has to be worked on for the successful acceptance of the study and subsequent drug approval. Thus, the issues mentioned above act as significant market restraints for the growth of the cancer cachexia market.

Market Opportunity

Development of Effective Therapeutics for the Treatment of the Target Disease

As cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by a continuous loss of skeletal muscle mass, various research activities and trials are being designed to evaluate multiple parameters, which aid in the development of effective therapeutics for the treatment of the target disease condition over the coming years. For instance, the role of brown adipose tissue in cachexia attracted significant research interest in recent years. Additionally, as the pathogenesis of the cancer cachexia is multifactorial, treatment options should incorporate multiple-target strategies, which include the use of pharmaconutrients with anti-inflammatory properties, such as omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), treatment with peptide hormone "Ghrelin," that is actively involved in anabolic and homeostatic functions, therapeutics developed based on ActRIIB, which is a high-affinity activin type 2 receptor that mediates signaling through a subset of TGF-β family ligands, including activin and myostatin, leading to the regulation of muscle mass and many other combined therapies, which involves an intervention between nutritional and metabolic requirements, to improve the outcomes of cancer patients. Additionally, research activities to develop non-invasive biomarkers to identify tumors likely to induce cachexia and to identify changes in normal tissues that are typical of the induction of cachexia are gaining importance, as this could be expanded to include detecting response to treatment and the development of new therapies.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market and is estimated to register a CAGR of 4% during the forecast period. The dominance of the United States is due to the high prevalence of cancer, the rise in healthcare budgets, and government initiatives to provide treatment options to patients suffering from terminal diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2010 and 2020, the number of new cancer cases in the United States was expected to increase by about 24% in men to more than 1 million cases/year and by about 21% in women to more than 900,000 cases/year. The increasing incidence of malignant cancers in the country and the increasing cachexia that is well known to be associated with increased mortality and decreased well‐being of patients, are gaining more interest, boosting the market growth in the country.

Europe Cancer Cachexia Market Trends

Europe is the second-largest region. It is anticipated to reach an expected value of USD 1060 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 5.1%. According to Santé Publique France and the French national cancer institute, the number of cancer cases increased significantly from 1990 to 2018. In 1990, there were 215,000 cancer cases recorded, which had increased to 382,000 by 2018. Furthermore, there is an increase in new cancer cases by 65% in men and 93% in women. The increasing prevalence of cancer and cancer cachexia is increasing the demand for research on the diseases in the country. According to clinicaltrials.gov, there are eight studies as of January 2021 in the country on cancer cachexia. In collaboration with the French College of General Hospital Pneumologists, Chugai Pharma France conducted a trial to assess the frequency of cachexia and the management of cachexia and associated symptoms in a patient population with non-small cell lung cancer. Therefore, the increasing burden of cancer and thus the risk of cachexia, and the growing number of research studies in the countries boost the market growth.

Asia Pacific Market Trends

Asia Pacific is the third-largest region. In China, the primary market growth factors are the increasing cancer burden and the well-established healthcare infrastructure. According to the 2019 analysis by Rui-Mei Feng et al., released in the Cancer Communications Journal, there were 2.9 million additional cancer deaths and an estimated 4.3 million additional cancer cases in China in 2018. Compared to the United States and the United Kingdom, China has a lower cancer incidence but 30% and 40% higher cancer mortality than the United Kingdom and the United States. According to Rui-Mei Feng, in an article published in 2019, 40% of the risk factors for chronic diseases can be attributed to environmental and lifestyle factors in China and other developed countries. Tobacco smoking is the most critical carcinogenic risk factor in China, contributing to ~ 24.5% of cancers in males. Hence, considering the abovementioned factors, the market studied is expected to grow in China.

Market Segmentation

Therapeutics Insights

The global market is segmented into progestogens, corticosteroids, combination therapy, and other therapeutics. The progestogens segment accounted for the largest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. Progestogens, like Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (MPA) and Megestrol Acetate (MA), are currently considered the best treatment option for cancer cachexia. They are available for the treatment of cancer and AIDS-related cachexia. These drugs were fast-acting, and they were also good antiemetics. Although high doses of these agents may produce adrenal suppression, they do not cause side effects, such as myopathy or peptic ulcer disease, usually seen with corticosteroids. Hence, progestogens hold a significant share in the cancer cachexia market, owing to factors such as the low cost of progestogens and the high efficiency in the treatment of cancer cachexia, which will play a significant role in the progestogens segment to maintain its market position.

Mechanism of Action Insights

The global cancer cachexia industry is segmented into appetite stimulators and weight loss stabilizers. The appetite stimulators segment accounted for the largest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period. Patients with cancer commonly experience appetite reduction and weight loss. In cancer patients, unintentional weight loss and anorexia (lack of appetite or desire to eat) are linked to worsened performance status, responsiveness, tolerance to treatment, survival, and quality of life. Therefore, for individuals who show decreased appetite, increasing the usage of an appetite stimulant may be an option. One of the key drivers of the overall market's growth is the rising incidence of cancer cachexia instances.

List of key players in Cancer Cachexia Market

1. Pfizer Inc.
2. Helsinn Group
3. AAVogenInc.
4. Artelo Biosciences Inc.
5. Merck & Co. Inc.
6. NGM Biopharmaceuticals
7. Aveo Pharmaceuticals Inc.
8. Green Cross Wellbeing Corporation
9. Cannabics Pharmaceuticals Inc.
10. TCI Peptide Therapeutics
11. Fresenius Kabi
12. Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
13. Aphios Corporation
14. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
15. Tetra Bio-Pharma
16. Actimed Therapeutics.
17. Endevica Bio

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Recent Developments

• August 2025: Pfizer is beginning a Phase 2/3 clinical trial for its anti-GDF-15 monoclonal antibody, ponsegromab (PF-06946860), for the treatment of cancer cachexia.
  

• August 2025: Artelo Biosciences received a Notice of Allowance from the European Patent Office (EPO) for its European patent application covering the commercial formulation of ART27.13. This peripherally selective cannabinoid agonist is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial for cancer-related anorexia and weight loss, and the patent is expected to extend until December 2041.

• April 2025: Endevica Bio, which works in partnership with TCI Peptide Therapeutics, began a Phase 2 trial for its experimental drug, TCMCB07. The trial is designed to prevent weight loss and the onset of cachexia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The primary goal is to assess the drug's ability to prevent weight loss from the start of chemotherapy.

• May 2025: Actimed Therapeutics announced a new development program to investigate the potential muscle preservation effects of S-pindolol benzoate in obese patients treated with GLP-1 agonists, an extension of its work on muscle wasting disorders.