Market Trends of Androgen Deprivation Therapy Industry
Antiandrogen Sub Segment Within Drug Class Segment is Expected to Witness a Strong Growth Over the Forecast Period
Anti-androgens are drugs that connect to the androgen receptors, inhibiting the androgens from causing tumor growth. Anti-androgens are also sometimes called androgen receptor antagonists. Antiandrogens drug include Flutamide (Eulexin), Bicalutamide (Casodex), Nilutamide (Nilandron), Enzalutamide (Xtandi), apalutamide (Erleada) and darolutamide (Nubeqa).
Factors such as rising incidences of prostate cancer globally, product approvals, growing geriatric population, increasing research and development activities, and strategies adopted by key market players such as partnerships will effectively contribute to the market growth.
The growing research activities are contributing significantly to the segment's growth. For instance, in December 2021, Bayer published the results from the Phase III ARASENS trial, which investigated the use of the oral androgen receptor inhibitor (ARi) Nubeqa (darolutamide), an anti-androgen, in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). The company stated that darolutamide, in combination with docetaxel and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), significantly increased overall survival compared to docetaxel and ADT.
Additionally, in September 2021, Astellas Pharma Inc. and Pfizer Inc. stated that XTANDI (enzalutamide), an anti-androgen, improved overall survival in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, which is proved through the ARCHES study. Such studies highlight anti-androgen efficacies in treating prostate cancer in terms of increased overall survival rate, which boosts anti-androgen application, driving the market.
Furthermore, in February 2021, Bayer, in partnership with Orion Corporation, expanded the global clinical development program for the oral androgen receptor inhibitor (ARi) Nubeqa (darolutamide) in the area of prostate cancer. The company initiated a Phase III study, ARANOTE. It will evaluate the compound in addition to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) versus placebo plus ADT in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Such strategies will allow companies to leverage others' strengths and develop an advanced product in prostate cancer, thereby leading to lucrative market growth.
Thus, due to the factors mentioned above, the studied segment is expected to contribute to the significant growth of the market.
North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Share in the Market and Expected to do Same in the Forecast Period
The primary driving factors for the growth of the North American androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) market are the rising prevalence of prostate cancer, the growing geriatric population, product launches, and several initiatives and investments made by key market players.
The United States within North America is expected to hold a significant share of the studied market during the study period. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. The American Cancer Society estimated that in the United States in 2023, about 288,300 new cases of prostate cancer are expected to be reported. Thus, the country's huge burden of prostate cancer is expected to increase the demand for its therapeutics. It can suppress the testosterone formed, contributing to market growth.
The above source also suggests prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men. About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men 65 or older, and it is rare in men under 40. The average age of men at diagnosis is about 66. Thereby, the growing elderly population in the region will also increase the incidence rate of prostate cancer, propelling the market.
The rising research and development studies proving the efficacies of androgen receptor inhibitors in treating pancreatic cancer will contribute to market growth. For instance, in February 2021, the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson released results from the final analysis of the Phase 3 TITAN study. It stated that ERLEADA, in combination with ADT, provided a statistically significant improvement in overall survival rate with a 35% reduction in risk of death versus ADT alone. Such technological improvement in treatment procedures is expected to drive market growth.
Additionally, in January 2021, the US FDA approved Relugolix (Orgovyx) for treating adults with prostate cancer as it is more effective at reducing testosterone levels in men with advanced prostate cancer than another commonly used treatment, leuprolide (Lupron). Therefore, the studied market is expected to lead to lucrative growth in North America due to the abovementioned factors.
