Liquid Biopsy Market

Market Overview

The global liquid biopsy market size was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2021. It is estimated to reach USD 8.2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 21.2% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

A technique is known as "liquid biopsy" is a method that isolates and detects circulating nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), exosomes, and circulating tumor cells. It is used to diagnose primary tumors or ascertain the stage of metastatic lesions in tissues (CTCs). Examining biomarkers shed by tumors, such as cancer cells or fragments of tumor DNA, can be done through the use of blood samples in a process known as a liquid biopsy.

The products and services related to liquid biopsies are the focus of this study. The rise in the number of advances made in liquid biopsies has contributed to expanding the market for liquid biopsies. It is anticipated that an increase in cancer cases' prevalence and patients' preference for therapies requiring minimally invasive procedures will fuel the liquid biopsy market's growth. However, the market expansion is being hampered because people in developed regions do not understand cancer.

Liquid biopsy tests are a simple and non-invasive method for gaining access to molecular information regarding the tumor's genome. In addition, these tests make it easier to detect cancer recurrence at an earlier stage and characterize the dynamics of the tumor.

Market Dynamics

Market Driving Factors

Increasing Need for Non-Invasive Procedures to Support Market Growth

In developed countries, rising levels of awareness about liquid biopsy testing fueling its interventions in several fields of cancer treatment. Diagnostic procedures that include analysis of liquid biopsies are becoming increasingly popular, not only among medical professionals but also among patients. In addition, patients undergoing liquid biopsies are not subject to the risks associated with radiation exposure seen when conventional testing methods are utilized. The liquid biopsy is considered a minimally invasive procedure because, unlike other methods of tissue biopsy, such as the solid traditional tissue biopsy, it only necessitates a small amount of blood sample. Liquid biopsy testing has grown in acceptance in clinical settings due to its many advantages, which have assisted in the market's expansion.

Advantages of Liquid Biopsy Technology to Boost Market Progress

The immeasurable benefits of liquid biopsy testing over more conventional diagnostic approaches have caused it to transform cancer diagnosis completely. This method of diagnosing cancer is not only economical but also risk-free and requires only a small amount of invasive surgery. The radiographic and tomographic testing costs are significantly higher than those associated with liquid biopsy. As a result, continuous disease monitoring at frequent intervals, for example, once per week, is possible through liquid biopsy. This is impossible through CT, PET, and other traditional tomographic and radiographic cancer testing methods, which can only be repeated after three to six months. A patient may not be eligible for a tissue biopsy, in which case a liquid biopsy may be used as an alternative or to supplement the limited amount of tissue obtained through fine-needle aspiration or core needle biopsy methods.

Additionally, a liquid biopsy may be an alternative for patients who are not eligible for tissue biopsy. Due to these benefits, liquid biopsy testing is quickly becoming one of the most popular methods for diagnosing cancer. As a result, it is anticipated that these technological advancements will propel the market's growth in the not-too-distant future.

Government spending on healthcare facilities

The federal government's increased support will likely accelerate market expansion. Additionally, the development and expansion of the healthcare sector, pushed by public and private actors, particularly in developing nations, will provide an attractive potential for market expansion. High investment returns, guaranteed by research efforts, would also benefit the market.

Additionally, the introduction of technologically advanced products in hospitals, rising investment in the development of advanced medical products and devices, and rising demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures all positively impact the market growth rate. These factors are particularly important in developing economies where government initiatives to raise awareness are particularly important.

Market Restraining Factors

Growing Ignorance in Developing and Underdeveloped Regions to Hinder Market Growth

The conditions of healthcare facilities in underdeveloped and developing regions of the world have undergone significant development in recent years. Despite the increased number of cancer cases in underdeveloped regions, diagnostics for cancer do not exist in medical and research settings with adequate liquid biopsy facilities. Traditional cancer diagnostic methods, such as solid biopsy, CT scan, PET scan, and other methods, are relied upon by surgeons, clinicians, and other healthcare providers to detect and diagnose cancer in patients successfully. The main factors limiting the market's growth significantly include the lack of awareness among the patient population and healthcare providers and the death of liquid biopsy facilities in this area.

Key Market Opportunities

Use of Liquid Biopsy for Treatment of Rare Cancer to Boost Market Opportunities

Rare cancers are typically categorized within rare diseases, defined as diseases with a prevalence of fewer than 5 cases per 10,000 people. Rare cancers include conditions like adenocarcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, transitional cell carcinomas, angiosarcomas, and fibrosarcomas. Compared to patients whose cancers are not discovered until the onset of symptoms, those whose cancers are discovered and diagnosed early may have a higher chance of long-term survival. Unfortunately, there are no reliable methods for screening for cancer and detecting many rare cancers early on, except liquid biopsy. In addition, there has been an increase in awareness regarding rare cancers in developed countries, which is anticipated to open up new avenues for liquid biopsy and provide lucrative opportunities for the market.

Regional Analysis

The global liquid biopsy market is segmented into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America is the highest revenue contributor to the global market, growing at a CAGR of 20.6% during the forecast period. Factors such as the high prevalence rate of cancer, wide adoption of novel liquid-biopsy tests, availability of advanced healthcare infrastructure, and high healthcare expenditure are driving the growth of North America's market. The liquid biopsy market share held by Europe is the second largest in the world.

During the forecast period, Asia Pacific is anticipated to have the quickest growth. The increased knowledge of liquid biopsy procedures, rising healthcare spending, and rising adoption of cutting-edge diagnostic methods in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic labs are all characteristics of the Asia Pacific region. The region's expanding hospital and diagnostic center presence is anticipated to support the market for liquid biopsies during the ensuing years. The Asia-Pacific market is anticipated to grow partly due to a large population base, rising disposable incomes, cancer incidents, and advancements in R&D, innovation, and healthcare infrastructure. 

Asia-Pacific market is anticipated to grow partly due to a large population base, rising disposable incomes, an increase in cancer incidents, and advancements in R&D, innovation, and healthcare infrastructure.

Segmental Analysis

The global liquid biopsy market is segmented by product and service, cancer type, circulating biomarker, and end user.

By Product Type

Based on product type, the global liquid biopsy market is divided into kits and reagents, platforms and instruments, and services.

The kits and reagents segment is the highest contributor to the global market, growing at a CAGR of 21.2% during the forecast period. The market for liquid biopsy kits and reagents is anticipated to grow cutting-edge products that can analyze circulating biomarkers, target enrichment, size selection, and various other tasks. The liquid biopsy instruments combine the PCR, sequencing, and real-time genetic characterization of the liquid biopsy sample under analysis. The ddPCR, produced by the American life science and clinical diagnostics company Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., is one illustration of such a device. On the other hand, liquid biopsy platforms offer solutions that make it possible to perform NGS and PCR on rare populations of cancer cells derived from whole blood.

By Circulating Biomarkers

Based on circulating biomarkers, the global liquid biopsy market is divided into circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, and extracellular vesicles.

The circulating tumor cell segment is the highest contributor to the market, growing at a CAGR of 21% during the forecast period. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are an essential diagnostic tool for comprehending the metastatic process and cancer progression. Poor survival rates are associated with CTCs in metastatic colon, prostate, and breast cancers. Individual CTCs may contain genetic information essential for understanding tumor biology and the metastatic process of a patient's tumor. Circulating tumor cells provide comparable or superior prognostic information compared to radiographic imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. Currently, circulating tumor cells are used as a biomarker associated with the metastatic status of cancer.

Throughout the projected period, the category with the quickest growth is anticipated to be circulating tumor DNA. The DNA from circulating tumors aids in the early detection of cancer and cancer-related mutations. It is quite effective at finding breast cancer. Consequently, it is anticipated that the increased incidence of breast cancer will accelerate the expansion of this market. According to the GLOBOCAN report, breast cancer will overtake lung cancer as the most common cancer worldwide in 2022.

By Cancer Type

Based on cancer type, the global liquid biopsy market is divided into lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and liver cancer.

The lung cancer segment is the highest contributor to the market, growing at a CAGR of 20.4% during the forecast period. The lung cancer segment is the most significant contributor due to the high prevalence of the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) type in this category, which is significantly growing globally. Further, the prostate cancer segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment. This is attributed to the significantly growing prevalence of prostate cancer across the developed regions, including North America. In addition, major players in this market focus on agreements and partnerships in the prostate cancer segment.

By End-User

Based on end-user, the global market for liquid biopsy is divided into hospitals and laboratories, as well as government and academic research centers.

The hospitals and laboratories segment is the highest contributor to the market, growing at a CAGR of 21.2% during the forecast period. Testing with liquid biopsies is used in hospitals and laboratories for the diagnosis, analysis, and detection of cancer. On the other hand, testing with liquid biopsies is used in government and academic research centers for research and development to understand the molecular aspects of tumors better. It is anticipated that the hospital and laboratories segment will dominate the global market. In addition, hospitals and laboratories make it possible for medical professionals to perform liquid biopsy tests to investigate the illness, better understand cancer recurrence, and determine the most effective treatment method. Consequently, it is anticipated that the hospitals and laboratories segment of the global market for liquid biopsy will generate the highest revenue of all end-user segments.

Recent Developments

• In February 2023, Element Biosciences' AVITI System and Bio-SEQuoiaTM Rad's Express and SEQuoiaTM Complete Stranded RNA Library Prep Kits work together to provide a seamless RNA sequencing workflow.
• In February 2023, The Guardant360® CDx blood test from Guardant Health will be covered by UnitedHealthcare as a companion diagnostic for advanced lung and breast cancer.
• In January 2023, Janssen declared that the primary endpoint of the Phase 3 CARTITUDE-4 Study of CARVYKTI® (cilta-cel) for treating patients with relapsed and unresponsive multiple myeloma had been met.