Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Treatment Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2022-2028)

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents about 0%-95% of kidney cancers. And, approximately, 30% of RCC cases are diagnosed at the advanced or metastatic stage. The mainstay treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma include tyrosine kinase inhibitors, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, chemotherapy, and other. However, with the increase in the understanding of cancer biology, researchers have developed novel targeted therapies such as monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, immune modulators, and others. For instance, in August 2021, U.S. FDA granted approval to the combination of lenvatinib (Lenvima) plus pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Thus, rapid approval of targeted therapies and their high efficacy in comparison to conventional therapies is driving the growth of the market.

The Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Treatment Market is expected to grow at a steady rate of around 5% owing to technological advancements and an increase in investment by pharmaceutical giants. The key players are rapidly launching novel products, which are also having a positive impact on market growth. For instance, in November 2021, NiKang Therapeutics Inc. entered into clinical trial collaboration with Pfizer Inc. The collaboration aims to evaluate NKT2152, a small molecule that inhibits hypoxia inducible factor 2α (HIF2α), in combination with palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, and sasanlimab, a subcutaneously administered PD-1 inhibitor for the treatment of advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Based on treatment, the market is segmented into chemotherapy, biologics, and others. The biologics segment is expected to grow with a high CAGR during the forecast period which is attributed to its targeted nature, high cost, and high efficiency. Moreover, key players are launching products in the market which is also expected to have a positive impact on the growth of the market. For instance, in January 2021, U.S. FDA approved the combination of nivolumab (Opdivo) and cabozantinib (Cabometyx) as first-line treatment for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. The approval was on the basis of CHECKMATE-9ER trial, which demonstrated significant improvement in progression-free survival and overall survival rates.

On the basis of the route of administration, the market is categorized into oral, parenteral, and other. The oral route held a significant share of the market in 2020. It is the most common and acceptable route of administration as it is cheap, simple, and safest. Moreover, it is highly economical as does not involve the patient in extra cost. Thus, these factors are driving segmental growth.

On the basis of end-use, the market is segmented into hospital pharmacy, retail pharmacy, and online pharmacy. The hospital pharmacy held a significant share in the market in 2020. The rising prescription of medications at hospitals due to more frequent diagnoses at these institutions is a major factor driving the segment growth. Moreover, the increasing preference of patients to avail treatment in hospitals and the easy availability of medication in hospital pharmacies. Also, the tendency of consumers to visit hospital pharmacies for safe and authorized drugs is also driving the growth of this segment.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of the advanced renal cell carcinoma treatment, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in the countries such as North America (U.S., Canada, Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. APAC is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. Several factors, such as the rise in the geriatric population, the rise in the prevalence of kidney cancer, rising healthcare expenditures, and a surge in investments by pharmaceutical giants are driving the regional growth. For instance, in October 2022, Hutchmed initiated a Phase II/III trial of fruquintinib in combination with sintilimab as second-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma in China. The first patient in China received the first dose on October 27, 2022. Moreover, in March 2020, Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare granted approval to cabometyx (cabozantinib) in Japan, for the treatment for patients with curatively unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Some of the major players operating in the market include: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Novartis AG; Pfizer Inc.; Genentech, Inc; GSK plc.; Bayer AG; Eisai Co., Ltd; Exelixis, Inc.; Merck KGaA; NiKang Therapeutics, Inc.