Cancer Biomarker Testing: What Is It and Why Does It Matter? Global Market Trends 2022-2028

What Are Cancer Biomarkers, and Why Do They Matter?

Cancer biomarkers are biological molecules associated with cancer cells or cancer progression. They can be detected in blood, urine, tissue, or other body fluids and provide information about cancer’s presence, course, or response to treatment. Biomarkers can be found in both cancerous and normal cells; however, changes in levels of biomarkers specific to certain cancers play an important role in diagnosis and treatment.

Genetic Testing or Biomarker Testing?

Many of us broadly use the term “cancer genetic testing” for “cancer biomarker testing”, which examines the disease’s molecular and genetic features in greater depth, analyzing not only genetic mutations but also proteins, RNA levels, and other biological indicators.

Biomarkers are highly important because they can enable early cancer diagnosis. Detecting cancer at an early stage expands treatment options and improves survival. Biomarkers also help develop personalized treatment strategies to select the most suitable option for each patient. These biomolecules may be genetic material (DNA, RNA), proteins, or cell-surface markers, and can be detected using genetic, proteomic, and other “omics” technologies.

Growth of the Cancer Biomarker Market

Valued at 12.4 billion dollars in 2021, the global cancer biomarker market is expected to reach 32.82 billion dollars by 2028, with a compound “annual” growth rate of 18%.

Growth is accelerating as cancer biomarker-based diagnoses and biomolecular research increase, and as biomarkers play a greater role in personalized treatments.

A key driver of the cancer biomarker market is their expanding use in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. In particular, technological advances improving the sensitivity and accuracy of diagnostic tests have accelerated market growth. Biomarkers’ use in drug development, especially in discovering and developing targeted therapies, also points to continued growth.

RELATED TOPIC: The Era of Personalized Cancer Treatment Is Truly Beginning

Applications of Cancer Biomarkers

Cancer biomarkers can be used for various purposes:

1. Diagnosis: used to diagnose cancer at an early stage. Cancer can be detected particularly through noninvasive or minimally invasive methods. (See Multicancer Early Detection Tests).

2. Drug Discovery and Development: biomarkers identify candidate drugs for targeted therapies during drug development. Developing biomarkers for a particular cancer type enables personalized treatment.

3. Predicting Disease Course and Assessing Risk: helps determine how a patient’s cancer will progress, survival after treatment, and the risk of cancer developing again.

Technological Advances and Biomarkers

Technologies used to detect cancer biomarkers include “omics” approaches (such as genomics and proteomics), imaging, immunoassays, and cytogenetic tests. Advances in fields such as genomics and proteomics have particularly enabled more sensitive detection of cancer biomarkers.

• Genetic Biomarkers: Genetic mutations and abnormalities are studied to determine cancer risk. These data, particularly those obtained through genomic technologies, indicate the disease’s stage and how it will respond to treatment.

• Imaging Technologies: imaging methods are used to detect the presence of biomarkers.

• Immunoassays and Cytogenetic Tests: these tests detect specific molecules in cancer cells and are used in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

• Protein Biomarkers: used in cancer diagnosis and treatment by examining protein structures that increase or change in cancer cells.

Omics Technologies

Omics technologies are scientific approaches used to study biological systems on a large scale and as a whole. Genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and related fields fall into this category, focusing on analyzing large datasets of biological molecules (DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites). By examining every aspect of biological processes, from genetic material to protein structures, these technologies help us understand the causes of complex diseases such as cancer and develop treatment strategies.

• Genomics: examines cancer’s molecular characteristics by analyzing DNA sequences and genetic mutations.
• Transcriptomics: analyzes which genes are actively expressed in a cell (transcripts), helping explain the molecular causes of disease.
• Proteomics: examines all proteins produced in a cell and investigates their structural and functional changes.
• Metabolomics: analyzes cells’ chemical metabolites to help explain the biochemical basis of disease.

These omics technologies play an important role in discovering cancer biomarkers, developing personalized treatments, and determining cancer stage.

Biomarker Use by Cancer Type

Cancer biomarkers have been effective in diagnosing, treating, and predicting the course of common cancers, particularly breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, and stomach cancers. For example:

• Breast Cancer: biomarkers such as the HER2, BRCA1, and BRCA2 genes play an important role in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment selection.

• Lung Cancer: EGFR mutations are particularly important in identifying targeted therapies for lung cancer.

Market Segmentation by Product and Application

The cancer biomarker market is divided into three main product categories: consumables, instruments and bioinformatics software. Diagnostic instruments play a particularly important role in biomarker development and discovery. With technological advances, this is one of the fastest-growing segments. Consumables are also widely used in biomarker testing, while bioinformatics software enables data analysis and more efficient clinical use of biomarkers.

Participants in the Cancer Biomarker Market

Many global companies play an important role in this rapidly growing market. Leading companies and their areas of activity are as follows:

• Abbott Laboratories: develops diagnostic tests and biomarker-based medical devices.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.: offers biomarker tests used in molecular diagnostics and proteomic analyses.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: develops immunotherapies through research on biomarkers in cancer treatment.
• Exact Sciences Corporation: offers biomarker-based tests for colorectal cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.: a leading developer of biomarker-based solutions for diagnostic testing and drug discovery.
• Merck KGaA: develops biomarker-based treatment strategies and immunotherapy drugs.

These companies contribute to diagnosis, treatment, and drug discovery through broad biomarker product portfolios. Each plays a leading role in developing biomarker-based treatment strategies.

Companies Specializing in Cancer Genomic Testing

Leading cancer genomics companies devote major efforts to understanding cancer genetics and using this knowledge to develop personalized treatments. Some prominent companies worldwide include:

1. Illumina Inc.: a global leader in genomic solutions, Illumina offers comprehensive genetic tests, particularly for cancer research, and plays a pioneering role in genome sequencing technologies.
2. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.: develops molecular biology and genetic analysis technologies and is known for instruments used in genomic research and cancer treatment.
3. Agilent Technologies: an important participant in DNA analysis and genomic research, with a broad product portfolio for biomolecular research.
4. Qiagen: provides sample preparation solutions for genetic testing and genomic analyses, particularly producing kits and technologies suitable for cancer research.
5. Roche Diagnostics: Roche stands out for diagnostic and treatment solutions developed for cancer genomics and personalized medicine.
6. Foundation Medicine (Roche): develops tests that analyze tumor genomic profiles and guide personalized treatment options.
7. Guardant Health: a pioneer in liquid biopsy technologies, using DNA obtained from blood samples to determine cancer’s genetic profile.
8. Myriad Genetics: an important participant in molecular diagnostics, particularly developing genetic tests to determine breast and ovarian cancer risk.
9. Genekor Medical S.A.: specializes in molecular genetics and oncology, offering molecular analyses for early cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment strategies.
10. Natera: a leading genomics and biotechnology company, particularly known for liquid biopsy tests used in cancer diagnosis and minimal residual disease detection. 

Regional Market Trends and Future Potential

The cancer biomarker market also has strong regional growth potential. Biomarker use is expanding across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America leads the market, particularly because of its advanced biotechnology infrastructure and research capabilities. Asia-Pacific also has significant potential, driven by rapid economic growth and healthcare investment in developing countries such as China and India.

Conclusion and Assessment

The global cancer biomarker market is growing rapidly alongside personalized medicine and targeted therapies. Advances in genomics and proteomics allow greater use of biomarkers in early cancer diagnosis and treatment strategy development. Future market growth potential is strong, and major participants are expected to remain central to this trend.