Circulating tumor cell technology is an enabling technology for recovery and analysis of separated cancer cells in the peripheral blood. CTC technology offers advantages like high sensitivity, high specificity, reproducible, repeatable, and non-invasive diagnostic assay for guiding treatment decision and improved patient triage. Circulatory tumor cells (CTC) are cancer cells that get separated from the primary tumor or its metastases that circulate in the peripheral blood. Metastasis the major cause of cancer deaths and CTC may constitute seeds from metastases and indicate the spread of diseases. The circulating tumor cells' analysis will allow early detection of metastasis when it is less invasive. Molecular characterization of CTC enables the treatment to be planned effectively. Removing CTC from the blood will limit metastases after surgery or therapy.

Molecular characterization is significant from the point of view of developing new methodologies for CTC detection, isolation, enumeration, and subsequent genetic or proteomic analysis. Advancement in medical technologies is allowing efficient removal of CTC from circulation and has therapeutic potential.

This research report analyzes the Circulating tumor cells and cancer stem cells market from a technical as well as business perspective, describing the overall market size, industry growth rate, and market trends. It gives an analysis of the recent developments in CTC and CSC markets and includes detailed profiles of top industry players along with Porter’s five force analysis. The report also analyzes all the micro and macro factors essential for the existing market players and new entrants. 

Major regions covered under this research study are North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World.

•   This research report will provide a forward perspective on market issues affecting market growth rate
•   It will help in understanding the competitive environment and make accurate and informed business decisions to withstand competition
•   The report will provide pin-point analysis of changing competition dynamics to keep one ahead of competitors
•   It will provide an in-depth analysis of key product segments and robust product segments
•   The research report provides a seven-year forecast on business projections and segmental behavior

The rising prevalence of diseases like cancer and the reimbursement support by regulatory bodies in developed countries like United States and Europe are the major factors driving the growth of the CTCs and CSCs market. Though the currently used detection method lacks sensitivity or specificity to track all CTCs particularly the ones that have lost characteristic epithelial features, there is still good scope for pharmaceutical companies in the CTCs and CSCs field. The various sub-types of cancer may have their own classes and it creates an opportunity in the future.

Increase in cancer mortality rate in the past few years and an increase in number of cancer patients offers an opportunity for pharmaceutical companies to enter this sector. Every one person out of eight has the potential of getting affected by cancer and it is estimated that 12 to 37 lives can be saved daily with the help of CTCs and CSCs.

The major geographic markets for CTCs and CSCs are the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. accounted for more than 50% of the worldwide CTCs and CSC market in 2011.

This research is specially designed to estimate and analyze the demand and performance of CTCs and CSC products in a global scenario. The report covers all the major segments of the global CTC and CSC market and provides in-depth analysis, historical data and statistically refined forecast for the segments covered. The study presents a comprehensive assessment of the stakeholder strategies and winning imperatives for them by segmenting the global CTC and CSC market.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are those cells that get detached from primary tumors and settle down at the secondary sites. These CTCs are responsible for metastasis and are the main cause behind death of those suffering from cancer. They are not easily detected because they are less in numbers but have important therapeutic and prognostic implications.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are tumorigenic (tumor-forming) and may generate tumors through stem cell processes of differentiation into multiple cell types and self renewal. These cells remain as a distinct population in tumors and cause metastasis and relapse, giving rise to new tumors. This characteristic of CSCs helps in development of specific therapies targeting CSCs and medical science holds hope to use these characteristics of CSCs to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from cancer, mainly metastatic cancer.

The global CTC and CSC market is driven by the rising prevalence of the disease forms, its use in treatment of cancer and support of government agencies such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Globally, CTCs and CSCs are helpful in detection and diagnosis of cancer.

Circulating tumor cells are present in those patients with several metastatic carcinomas having a wide range of frequencies. Clinical studies say that CTCs can help physicians in predicting and monitoring cancer progression and it is also helpful in evaluating response of patients with respect to metastatic cancer.

Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) research has increased at a fast pace in recent years and it is expected to grow at a rapid rate in the near future. More than 45 companies and several research groups are involved in evaluating more than 25 strategies and 60 candidate molecules in order to introduce new developments in this area. It will further help in correct diagnostic and therapeutic development. Several research and product developments are still in the pipeline which will create new opportunities in this field.

CSCs are found in breast, myeloma, prostrate, leukemia, brain, colon, pancreatic, lung and other cancers. Thus, they play a crucial role in the treatment of these diseases. The ongoing research related to CSCs if confirmed, will offer a new paradigm in cancer therapeutics. More than 55 CSC research and development programs are going on and more than 55 % are at Phase I, II or III stage. More than 90% patents in this field have been filed by different universities and more than two third of the research development programs are carried out by SME’s.

Further, several intracellular markers found in CSCs are expected to have diagnostic utility. The CD133 mRNA levels in peripheral blood are able to predict colon cancer recurrence and this is measured using RT-PCR.  Moreover, the EpCam marker is used in CTC technologies to predict colon and breast cancer. Based on the phenotypes, new methods for identifying CSCs in the body can be developed in the future.