Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market Report 2025

The checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $32.81 billion in 2024 to $36.69 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to the rising prevalence of cancer, increasing awareness of checkpoint inhibitors, expansion of cancer screening programs, growth in clinical trial activities, and rising demand for personalized treatments.

The checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $56.64 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5%. The growth during the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing number of cancer diagnoses, rising demand for personalized medicine, expanding indications for checkpoint inhibitors, a growing geriatric population, and greater use of biomarkers for patient selection. Key trends in this period include advancements in combination therapies, development of next-generation checkpoint inhibitors, integration of AI in treatment planning, introduction of oral checkpoint inhibitors, and progress in personalized cancer vaccines.

The rising incidence of cancer is anticipated to drive the growth of the checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market in the coming years. Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and division of abnormal cells in the body. The increase in cancer cases is largely attributed to an aging population, as longer life expectancy raises the likelihood of developing cancer over time. Identifying checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer is crucial in cancer management, as it allows early detection of treatment resistance, enabling clinicians to adjust therapy promptly and explore alternative approaches that may improve patient outcomes. For example, in February 2025, the United Nations, a US-based intergovernmental organization, reported that an estimated 2.3 million new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in 2022, resulting in 670,000 deaths, with global projections indicating a 38% increase in cases and a 68% rise in annual deaths by 2050. Consequently, the growing incidence of cancer is supporting the expansion of the checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market.

Key players in the checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as dual selective inhibitors, to reduce the risk of drug resistance by targeting two critical pathways involved in disease progression. Dual selective inhibitors are compounds that simultaneously block two distinct biological targets or pathways while minimizing effects on unrelated pathways. For instance, in March 2025, Pliant Therapeutics Inc., a US-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced interim Phase 1 data for PLN-101095 in patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-refractory advanced solid tumors. The data demonstrated promising early activity and a manageable safety profile. At the highest tested dose of 1,000 mg twice daily combined with pembrolizumab, the trial reported a 50% objective response rate, including confirmed partial responses in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and melanoma, showing substantial tumor reductions. PLN-101095 was generally well tolerated, with most treatment-emergent adverse events being mild to moderate. The study is ongoing, with higher-dose cohorts currently enrolling and additional data expected by the end of 2025.

In October 2023, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, a US-based pharmaceutical firm, acquired Mirati Therapeutics Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Bristol-Myers Squibb aims to strengthen and diversify its oncology portfolio by integrating Mirati’s innovative cancer therapies and clinical-stage assets, particularly those targeting KRAS-mutated cancers and checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancers. Mirati Therapeutics Inc. is a US-based company specializing in therapies designed specifically for checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancers.

Major players in the checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market are Pfizer Inc., Johnson & Johnson Private Limited, Merck & Co. Inc., AbbVie Inc., Novartis International AG, Sanofi S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, AstraZeneca PLC, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead Sciences Inc., Amgen Inc., Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Eisai Co. Ltd., Exelixis Inc., Exicure Inc., ImmunityBio Inc., ENB Therapeutics Inc., Kartos Therapeutics Inc., and Pliant Therapeutics Inc.

North America was the largest region in the checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the consequent trade frictions in spring 2025 are severely impacting the pharmaceutical companies contend with tariffs on APIs, glass vials, and lab equipment inputs with few alternative sources. Generic drug makers, operating on razor-thin margins, are especially vulnerable, with some reducing production of low-profit medicines. Biotech firms face delays in clinical trials due to tariff-related shortages of specialized reagents. In response, the industry is expanding API production in India and Europe, increasing inventory stockpiles, and pushing for trade exemptions for essential medicines.

Checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer refers to cancers that do not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4 blockers. This resistance can be primary, where there is no initial response, or acquired, where the cancer progresses after an initial benefit. Managing these cases typically requires alternative approaches, including combination immunotherapy, targeted therapies, or novel experimental strategies.

The primary therapies for checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer include immune checkpoint inhibitors, combination therapies, and targeted therapies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells by blocking proteins that inhibit immune cell function. These therapies are used for various cancer types, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), urothelial carcinoma, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), colorectal cancer, and others. Their mechanisms of action include programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitors, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, among others. Routes of administration include intravenous (IV) and oral, with distribution through hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies.

The checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market statistics, including checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market share, checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer industry. This checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as diagnostic and biomarker services, clinical trials and research services, specialized oncology treatment services, and patient support and consulting services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancer market consists of sales of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy kits, genomic sequencing panels, tumor organoids, drug discovery tools, and bispecific antibodies. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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