HEAD AND NECK CANCER DRUGS MARKET ANALYSIS

The global head and neck cancer drugs market was valued at US$ 1,851.2 Mn in 2022 and is forecast to reach a value of US$ 3,252.7 Mn by 2030 at a CAGR of 7.3% between 2023 and 2030. The global head and neck cancer drugs market is experiencing strong growth due to the growing burden of head and neck cancer and increasing demand for safe and effective treatment/drugs. Moreover, increase in cigarette smoking, rise in alcohol consumption, and higher usage of tobacco is expected to boost the market growth. However, factors such as adverse effects of the head and neck cancer drugs and high cost of head and neck cancer treatment are expected to hamper growth of the global head and neck cancer drugs market.

Global Head and Neck Cancer Drugs Market: Regional Insights

Based on geography, the global head and neck cancer drugs market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

Among regions, North America is expected to gain highest share in the market during the forecast period owing to the increasing prevalence of head and neck cancer, growing geriatric population, and increase in demand for safe and effective treatment in the region. For instance, according to the American Cancer Society, head and neck cancer accounts for around 4% of all cancers in the U.S. In 2023, an estimated 66,920 people (49,190 men and 17,730 women) will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Thus, there is an increasing demand for safe and effective treatment, driving the growth of the head and neck cancer drugs market.

Europe and Asia Pacific are also expected to witness significant growth in the head and neck cancer drugs market due to the growing burden of head and neck cancer, increasing number of diagnostic procedures for head and neck cancer, and increase in demand for safe and effective drugs in these regions. For instance, according to European Cancer Patient Coalition, head and neck cancer is the 6th most common types of cancer in Europe with more than 150,000 new patients diagnosed every year. Moreover, head and neck cancer is very common in India, constituting 30% of all the cancers because of the widespread use of tobacco across India.

Figure 1. Global Head and Neck Cancer Drugs Market Share (%), by Region, 2023

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Global Head and Neck Cancer Drugs Market Drivers:

Rise in burden of cancer to augment market growth

One of the key factors expected to propel growth of the global head and neck cancer drugs market over the forecast period is the growing burden of head and neck cancer worldwide. For instance, head and neck cancer refers to several types of cancers that affect your mouth, throat or other parts of head and neck. According to American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer in the world, with 1.1 million new diagnoses reported annually. In 2020, more than 562,328 people worldwide were diagnosed with head and neck cancer and around 277,597 people died from the disease.

High demand for safe/effective drugs to propel market growth

Another factor which is driving the growth of the global head and neck cancer drugs market is the increasing demand for safe and effective treatment/drugs around the world. For instance, with the growing burden of head and neck cancer, the demand for safe and effective treatment/drugs is also increasing with a rapid pace. In June 2019, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved Merck’s pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Furthermore, players in the market are focusing on developing and launching novel drugs in the market.

Global Head and Neck Cancer Drugs Market Opportunities:

Increase in cigarette smoking, rise in alcohol consumption, and higher usage of tobacco is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for players in the global head and neck cancer drugs market. For instance, smoking, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption are primary risk factors associated with head and neck cancer. According to ASCO, around 70% to 80% of head and neck cancers are linked to tobacco use, and second-hand smoke may increase the risk of developing head and neck cancer. According to WHO, around six million people die from tobacco use and 2.5 million from harmful use of alcohol each year worldwide.

The outbreak of COVID-19 is expected to provide significant growth opportunities for players in the global head and neck cancer drugs market. For instance, people with head and neck cancer are generally at high-risk for COVID-19 virus and severe adverse outcomes as they require frequent outpatient visits to assess disease progression and use of systemic drug therapies to control serious disease conditions. Moreover, the pandemic has complicated the management of head and neck cancers, particularly for patients with underlying immunosuppressive disorders. Thus, there is/was an increasing demand for head and neck cancer drugs worldwide.

Global Head and Neck Cancer Drugs Market Trends:

Rise in focus on disease diagnosis is a recent trend

Head and neck cancer is a group of cancer that usually originate in the squamous cells that line the mouth, nose, and throat. Head MRI, head CT, CT of the sinuses, panoramic dental X-ray, PET/CT, dental cone beam CT, or chest imaging are the most commonly used to confirm a cancer diagnosis and determine if it has spread. Early diagnosis of head and neck cancer helps improve the patient outcomes and opens the door to future care and treatments. This in trend is expected to continue over the forecast period, driving the market growth.

Increasing awareness among people is another trend

Creating awareness among clinicians and the general public is important to achieve control of head neck cancer thus reducing its disease burden. April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to bringing awareness to this group of cancers that collectively account for nearly 4% of all cancers in the U.S. Moreover, increasing awareness among people regarding the availability of safe and effective drugs to treat cancer coupled with increasing healthcare expenditure is driving the growth of the head and neck cancer market.

Global Head and Neck Cancer Drugs Market Restraints:

Adverse effects of drugs to hinder market growth

One of the key factors expected to hamper growth of the global head and neck cancer drugs market is the adverse effects associated the head and neck cancer drugs. Chemotherapy drugs aim at killing the fast growing cells, but as these drugs cannot differentiate between healthy cells and cancerous cells their usage leads to side effects. The most common side effects of chemotherapy for head and neck cancer include loss of appetite, fatigue, hearing loss, and neuropathy. However, a doctor may adjust the dosage of the drugs, prescribe other medication, or recommend support services to lessen the side effects head and neck cancer drugs.

High cost of treatment to hamper market growth

Another factor which is hampering the growth of the global head and neck cancer drugs market is the high cost of head and neck cancer treatment or drugs. Head and neck cancer is highly curable, often with single-modality therapy (surgery or radiation), if detected early. Advanced head & neck cancer are generally treated with various combinations of surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy which in turn increase the cost of head and neck cancer treatment. The treatment of the commonest form of cancer in India, head and neck cancer, usually costs between INR. 15,000-20,000 a month. This in turn is restraining the growth of the market.

Figure 2. Global Head and Neck Cancer Drugs Market Share (%), by drug class, 2023

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Global Head and Neck Cancer Drugs Market Segmentation:

The global head and neck cancer drugs market report is segmented into Drug Class, Sales Channel, and Geography.

Based on Drug Class, the market is segmented into Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, and Targeted Therapy. Out of which, Chemotherapy Segment is expected to dominate the head and neck cancer drugs market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the growing burden of head and neck cancer across the globe. Chemotherapy is a treatment for head and neck cancer that uses powerful drugs to attack cancer cells.

Immunotherapy Segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to the increasing demand for safe and effective treatment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of immunotherapy to treat head and neck cancer.

Based on Sales Channel, the market is segmented into Hospital Pharmacies, Drug Stores & Retail Pharmacies, and Online Stores. Of which, Hospital Pharmacies Segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the rise in patient pool.

Drug Stores & Retail Pharmacies Segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to increasing demand for head and neck cancer drugs.

Global Head and Neck Cancer Drugs Market: Key Developments

In April 2023, Eisai launched “Made of More,” a new campaign to support and create a community among people with head and neck cancer. Moreover, Eisai is currently testing its approved cancer drug Lenvima in combination with other oncology drugs in head and neck cancers.

In July 2022, International Centre for Recurrent Head & Neck Cancer (IReC) has been launched to accelerate research and improve patient outcomes. IReC also aims to set international standards in curative treatment, palliation, and supportive care of recurrent head and neck cancer to improve patient outcomes in the UK and beyond.

In February 2022, University of Cincinnati researchers launched a new clinical trial to examine if the combination of a localized radiation treatment and immunotherapy can be a better treatment for patients with recurrent head and neck cancer.

In February 2021, the U.S. FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation to Tipifarnib developed by Kura Oncology, Inc., for the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This is a potent, selective, and orally administered drug.

Global Head and Neck Cancer Drugs Market: Key Companies Insights

The global head and neck cancer drugs market is highly competitive. This is attributed to the rise in burden of head and neck cancer, as a result, players in the market are focusing on developing and launching novel drugs in the market.

Some of the key players in the global head and neck cancer drugs market are Merck & Co., Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Astrazeneca Plc., Fresenius Medical Care AG & CO. KGAA, and F. Hoffmann-la Roche Ltd. (Genentech, Inc.), among others.

*Definition: Head and neck cancer is a medical term used to describe different malignant tumors that develop in or around the nose, throat, sinuses, larynx, and mouth. Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.