Market Overview
The global alkylating agents market reached US$ 6.02 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 7.89 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period 2024-2031.
Alkylating agents are a class of antineoplastic or anticancer drugs that act by inhibiting the transcription of DNA into RNA and thereby stopping protein synthesis. Alkylating agents substitute alkyl groups for hydrogen atoms on DNA, resulting in the formation of cross-links within the DNA chain and thereby resulting in cytotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects. This action occurs in all cells, but alkylating agents have their primary effect on rapidly dividing cells which do not have time for DNA repair. Cancer cells are among the most affected because they are among the most rapidly dividing cells.
The increasing prevalence of cancer is the driving factor that drives the market over the forecast period. For instance, according to the Pan American Health Organization, globally, there were an expected 20 million new cancer diagnoses and 10 million cancer deaths. Over the next two decades, the cancer burden will rise by almost 60%, putting a further burden on healthcare systems, individuals, and communities.
Executive Summary
Market Dynamics: Drivers & Restraints
Increasing prevalence of cancer
The rising burden and increasing prevalence of cancer is expected to be a significant factor in the growth of the global alkylating agents market. Alkylating agents, one of the most common types of chemotherapeutic medications, are important in the treatment of a variety of cancers because they affect DNA activity within cancer cells. This approach is very efficient against rapidly proliferating cells found in many malignancies. As healthcare systems attempt to fulfill the demands of a growing cancer patient population, alkylating drugs will continue to play an important role in chemotherapy regimens due to their established efficacy against a variety of malignancies. In the future, alkylating drugs are likely to play a larger role in cancer treatment as part of holistic therapeutic regimens aiming at improving patient outcomes.
The rising burden and increasing prevalence of cancer are pivotal factors driving the growth of the global alkylating agents market. For instance, according to the National Institute of Health, in 2023, the United States is expected to see 1,958,310 new cancer cases and 609,820 cancer deaths. Prostate cancer incidence climbed by 3% every year from 2014 to 2019, after two decades of reduction, resulting in an additional 99,000 new cases. The annual cancer incidence rate is 440.5 per 100,000 men and women (based on cases from 2017 to 2021). The cancer death rate (cancer mortality) is 146.0 per 100,000 men and women annually (based on deaths from 2018-2022). In 2024, a projected 14,910 children and adolescents between the ages of 0 and 19 will be diagnosed with cancer, with 1,590 deaths from the condition.
Toxicity concerns associated with alkylating agents
Factors such as toxicity concerns associated with alkylating agents are expected to hamper the global alkylating agents market. For instance, according to the National Institute of Health, the characteristic toxicities of the alkylating agents are hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, gonadal, and CNS toxicity. Damage to the gastrointestinal tract is a toxicity that frequently occurs with high-dose regimens. Mucositis, stomatitis, esophagitis, and diarrhea occur with high doses of alkylating agents, particularly after high doses of melphalan and thiotepa or combinations of alkylating agents, including melphalan or thiotepa.
Segment Analysis
The global alkylating agents market is segmented based on drug class, therapy area, route of administration, distribution channel, and region.
Oncology segment is expected to dominate the global alkylating agents market share
Oncology segment is expected to dominate the global alkylating agents market share. The oncology segment is expected to dominate the global alkylating agents market due to the growing prevalence of various cancers and the crucial role these agents play in cancer treatment. Alkylating agents are a type of chemotherapeutic treatment that works by disrupting the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from reproducing and multiplying. This method works very well against rapidly dividing cells, which include many forms of cancer cells. As cancer continues to be one of the top causes of morbidity and mortality around the world, the demand for effective therapeutic options such as alkylating agents is likely to expand significantly. Top of Form
Several factors contribute to this development, including an increase in the incidence of cancers such as lung, breast, colorectal, and stomach cancer. For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer diagnoses are predicted to exceed 22 million by 2023 and in the case of breast cancer, 1 in 12 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and 1 in 71 women die of it. underscoring the critical need for better therapeutic strategies. Moreover, alkylating medicines are frequently used in conjunction with other chemotherapy treatments to improve treatment efficacy, making them a standard in cancer procedures.
Geographical Analysis
North America is expected to hold a significant position in the global alkylating agents market share
North America is expected to hold a significant portion of the global alkylating agents market. This is due to the increasing incidence of cancer, technological advancements, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and the presence of major players in the region. As the incidence of cancer rises, so does the demand for effective therapeutic choices, resulting in a greater dependence on known chemotherapeutic medications such as alkylating agents. These medicines have a crucial function in the treatment of many cancers, making them vital in oncology regimens across North American healthcare systems.
For instance, according to an article published by the National Institute of Health, in 2024, 2,001,140 new cancer cases and 611,720 cancer deaths are projected to occur in the United States. Cancer mortality continued to decline through 2021, averting over 4 million deaths since 1991 because of reductions in smoking, earlier detection for some cancers, and improved treatment options in both adjuvant and metastatic settings. However, these gains are threatened by increasing incidence for 6 of the top 10 cancers.
Asia Pacific is growing at the fastest pace in the global alkylating agents market
Asia Pacific is experiencing the fastest growth in global alkylating agents owing to the increasing incidence of cancer and technological advancements in the region. For instance, according to the National Institute of Health, the expected number of cancer cases in India for 2022 is 14,61,427 (crude rate: 100.4 per 100,000). In India, one out of every nine people is likely to develop cancer over his or her lifetime. Males and females were most likely to develop lung and breast cancer, respectively.
Competitive Landscape
The major global players in the global alkylating agents market include Pfizer Inc., Baxter, Novartis AG, Viatris Inc., Merck KGaA, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Omicron Pharma, Aspen Holdings, Kekule Life Sciences Limited, Fresenius Kabi USA among others.
Emerging Players
Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ADC Therapeutics SA., MEI Pharma, Inc. among others
| Metrics | Details | |
| CAGR | 3.5% | |
| Market Size Available for Years | 2022-2031 | |
| Estimation Forecast Period | 2024-2031 | |
| Revenue Units | Value (US$ Mn) | |
| Segments Covered | Drug Class | Nitrogen Mustards, Nitrosoureas, Alkyl Sulfonates, Triazines, Ethylenimines |
| Therapy Area | Oncology, Immunology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Urology, Others | |
| Route of Administration | Oral, Intravenous | |
| Distribution Channel | Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Online Pharmacy, Others | |
| Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa | |
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Key Developments
• In May 2024, the Food and Drug Administration approved lisocabtagene maraleucel (Breyanzi, Juno Therapeutics, Inc.) for adult patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least two prior lines of systemic therapy, including a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi).
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- To visualize the global alkylating agents market segmentation based on drug class, therapy area, route of administration, distribution channel, and region as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
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- Excel data sheet with numerous data points of global alkylating agents market-level with all segments.
- PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
- Product mapping available as Excel consisting of key products of all the major players.
The global alkylating agents market report would provide approximately 53 tables, 47 figures, and 176 pages.
Target Audience 2023
- Manufacturers/ Buyers
- Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
- Research Professionals
- Emerging Companies
