Carcinoembryonic Antigen Market Analysis

Application (Gastrointestinal Cancer, Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Prostrate Cancer, Thyroid Cancer)

Gastrointestinal cancer segment is expected to account for more than 43.4% carcinoembryonic antigen market share by the end of 2037. The segment’s growth is attributed to CEA’s utilization as a tumor marker in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignancies. Furthermore, CEA tests have the highest application in detecting colorectal cancer which is a type of gastrointestinal cancer, ensuring the segment’s growth in the carcinoembryonic antigen market.

Furthermore, advancements in non-invasive colorectal cancer screening are positioned to boost the segment’s robust growth. For instance, in October 2024, Exact Sciences Corp. announced that the U.S. FDA had approved the Cologuard Plus test for adults aged 45 and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer. Such advancements bode well for the segment as investments are likely to be redirected to advance the efficacy of CEA tests.

The lung cancer segment of the carcinoembryonic antigen market is poised to expand its revenue share during the forecast period owing to its use in lung cancer diagnostics. Elevated CEA levels assist in the differentiation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from other types of lung cancer, and its position as a vital biomarker in clinical decision-making has driven the segment’s growth.

Furthermore, advancements in immunotherapy for patients diagnosed with NSCLC hold the potential to drive demand for CEA testing in evaluating the efficacy of immunotherapies and to identify non-responders early. For instance, in December 2024, AstraZeneca announced the approval of Imfinzi (durvalumab) in the U.S. by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of adult patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC).

Gender (Male, Female)

By gender, the male segment of the carcinoembryonic antigen market is poised to exhibit a larger revenue share during the forecast period. CEA levels are higher in males than females and male smokers tend to have higher levels of CEA in comparison to female smokers. Furthermore, the prevalence of colorectal cancer is higher among males than females. Due to the observance of elevated CEA levels in male patients with malignancies, the necessity for regular CEA tests for males is a major driver of the segment’s growth.

Furthermore, advancements in gender-specific reference ranges in clinical assessments can boost the reliability of CEA-based diagnostics for males, driving greater demand for CEA tests. In November 2023, a study published in the Annals of Medicine highlighted an increase in serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels in colorectal cancer patients during the postoperative follow-up period which requires regular monitoring and CEA tests, creating profitable opportunities for the test kit manufacturers.

Our in-depth analysis of the global market includes the following segments: