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 September 2023, ESSA Pharma Inc. commenced the Phase 2 segment of its Phase 1/2 trial, focusing on its primary contender, masofaniten (previously labeled EPI-7386). This drug is a pioneering N-terminal domain androgen receptor inhibitor. The study, conducted in collaboration with Astellas Pharma US Inc. and Pfizer, explores the combination of masofaniten with enzalutamide, an antiandrogen, in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have not been exposed to second-generation antiandrogens.
Additionally, in August 2023, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. shared promising initial data from its ongoing Phase 1/2 trial, which is investigating REGN5678, an innovative PSMAxCD28 costimulatory bispecific antibody. This trial examines its combination with Regeneron's PD-1 inhibitor, Libtayo (cemiplimab), for treating advanced metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). REGN5678 is one of three clinical-stage costimulatory bispecifics in Regeneron's portfolio. These bispecifics are designed to connect T cells to cancer cells, enhancing CD28 signaling to boost anti-tumor activity, particularly when used with Libtayo or a CD3 bispecific.
Thus, due to the factors mentioned above such as increasing research and development activities by pharmaceutical companies, 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 2024, about 299,010 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 formation of testosterone, contributing to market growth.
The above source also suggests prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men. About six 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 May 2024, Johnson & Johnson released findings from the Phase 2 Apa-RP study, an open-label, single-arm trial. The study assessed the adjuvant treatment of ERLEADA (apalutamide) alongside androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer (HRLPC) post-radical prostatectomy (RP). Notably, all patients under this regimen maintained a 100% biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free status at the 24-month mark post-RP. Such technological improvement in treatment procedures is expected to drive market growth.
Therefore, the market studied is expected to lead to lucrative growth in North America due to the growing burden of prostate cancer and increasing research and development activities by the market players.
