Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a type of cancer immunotherapy that work by blocking certain proteins on the surface of immune cells or cancer cells. This helps to stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells more effectively.
The global immune checkpoint inhibitors market has been growing rapidly in recent years, driven by increasing awareness and adoption of immunotherapy as a cancer treatment option, as well as the development of new and more effective ICIs. Key factors driving the growth of the market include the increasing incidence of cancer, the high cost of traditional cancer treatments, and the potential for ICIs to provide long-term survival benefits.
The market is dominated by a few key players, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck & Co., Inc., and AstraZeneca, but there are also a number of smaller companies developing and commercializing ICIs. Key products in the market include pembrolizumab (Keytruda), nivolumab (Opdivo), ipilimumab (Yervoy), and atezolizumab (Tecentriq).
While ICIs have shown promising results in the treatment of a range of cancer types, there are still challenges to be addressed, including the development of biomarkers to predict patient response and the management of immune-related adverse events. Nonetheless, the immune checkpoint inhibitors market is expected to continue to grow as more clinical data becomes available and new ICIs are developed.