European Market for Cancer Diagnostics

The number of new cancer cases is forecast to double by 2020. Because of the increased number of new drugs, awareness of diagnostic tools is growing, according to Raghavendra Chitta, a research analyst with Frost & Sullivan. "Moreover, enhanced knowledge of the genes causing the disease is expected to drive the usage of tests that determine predisposition towards the disease and enable patient stratification for therapy selection in the near future.”

For example, a new genetic profile of ovarian cancer is expected to predict the likelihood of a particular treatment succeeding in a patient. By reducing this profile to a few specific genes, researchers are poised to provide a platform for new diagnostic tests based either on immunohistochemistry or nucleic acid-based technologies (NATs).

Other advances include the discovery of genetic mutations that can raise the risk of bowel cancer and genes that increase the risk of lung cancer. These facilitate earlier interventions and more-effective disease management. For example, the commercialization of molecular diagnostic tests for lung cancer and esophageal cancer will enable early detection and management of these diseases. Other new diagnostic tools include a system that can quantify cancer tumor cells (CTC) in blood samples and a more sensitive and specific diagnostic test to detect and monitor patients for the recurrence of bladder cancer.

Still, there is a continued gap between research findings and their translation to clinical applications. Doctors are currently serving as gatekeepers, limiting public access to new therapy developments and emerging diagnostic tests. However, the prognosis for the European in vitro cancer diagnostics market is promising. New therapeutic approaches will trigger the need for tests that help doctors select and monitor therapy. Government efforts to extend screening procedures will also encourage market growth of novel tests, as will growing consumer awareness and demand.




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