Cancer Cachexia Market Growth Led by Innovation and Supportive Care

Revenue, 2025

2.71 Billion

Forecast, 2035

4.37 Billion

CAGR, 2026 – 2035

4.9%

Report Coverage

Global

Cancer Cachexia Market Size, Trends and Growth with Key Players

The global cancer cachexia size was estimated at USD 2.71 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 2.84 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 4.37 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2026 to 2035.

The growing global cancer burden is increasing the cases of cancer cachexia, which is fueling the demand for their effective treatment options. AI is also being used to develop and optimize various treatment options and monitoring devices, where companies are investing and launching various products targeting the disease. Moreover, the presence of advanced healthcare, growing adoption of advanced treatment options, and stringent regulations are promoting the market growth.

Key Takeaways

• Cancer cachexia industry poised to reach USD 2.84 billion by 2026.
• Forecasted to grow to USD 4.37 billion by 2035.
• Expected to maintain a CAGR of 4.9% from 2026 to 2035.
• North America held the major revenue share in the global cancer cachexia market in 2025.
• Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region between 2026 and 2035.
• By treatment type, the appetite stimulants segment dominated the market in 2025.
• By treatment type, the cannabinoid receptor agonists segment is expected to be the fastest growing during the forecast period.
• By type, the lung cancer segment dominated the market in 2025.
• By type, the pancreatic cancer segment is expected to be the fastest-growing during the forecast period.
• By distribution channel type, the hospital pharmacies segment dominated the cancer cachexia market in 2025.
• By distribution channel type, the online pharmacies segment is expected to be the fastest growing during the forecast period.

Key Indicators and Highlights

What is Cancer Cachexia?

The cancer cachexia market is driven by increasing cancer burden and unmet clinical need for effective weight and muscle preservation treatments. Cancer cachexia refers to the complex metabolic syndrome leading to weight loss, appetite loss, and muscle wasting, which occurs in various cancer patients. Therefore, treatments such as appetite stimulants, anti-inflammatory agents, anabolic agents, metabolic modulators, and nutritional interventions are provided to the patient with cancer cachexia.

AI Technological Shifts in the Cancer Cachexia Market

Different types of AI models are being developed to detect patients at high risk of developing cachexia. It also detects biomarkers and predicts patient response to the treatment, identifying early metabolic changes and promoting the development of personalized therapies. It is used in drug discovery and development, where their continuous disease monitoring also helps in tracking the cachexia progression, which is increasing their use in the development of various devices.

Trends & Future Outlook of the Cancer Cachexia Market?

Rising Cancer Incidences

The incidence of various cancer types like gastrointestinal, lung, and pancreatic cancer is increasing the number of cachexia cases, which is driving the demand for effective treatment options.

Increasing Demand for Personalized Medicines

The companies are focusing on developing personalized medications depending on the patient's genetic and metabolic profile.

Growing Technological Innovations

Different types of wearable devices and software are being developed to monitor the muscle mass and weight of cancer cachexia patients, which is increasing their adoption rates.

What are the Major Investments in the Cancer Cachexia Market?

• In December 2025, a total of $2.8 million in growth capital was secured by Speciality Surgical Oncology Hospital (SSO) from the Everhope Oncology platform, which will be used to tackle the growing demand for high-quality and accessible cancer surgeries across India and support its expansion.
• In February 2025, ¥150 million in seed funding was raised by Tensegrity Pharma Inc., from Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd., where the development of TSP-101, which is a drug candidate targeting cachexia, will be supported by this funding.

Segmental Insights

By Treatment Insights

Why Did the Appetite Stimulants Segment Dominate in the Cancer Cachexia Market in 2025?

The appetite stimulants segment held the largest share in the market in 2025, as they helped in addressing weight loss by increasing appetite and calorie intake. They also offered a rapid onset of action, which increased their adoption rates. Additionally, their wide availability also increased their use and acceptance rates.

Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists

The cannabinoid receptor agonists segment is expected to show the fastest growth rate during the predicted time, due to their appetite stimulation action by targeting CB1 or CB2 receptors. At the same time, the growing preference for natural therapies and protective relief from pain and nausea is also increasing their use.

By Type Insights

Which Type Segment Held the Dominating Share of the Cancer Cachexia Market in 2025?

The lung cancer segment held the dominating share of the market in 2025, due to growth in its incidence rates. This increased the number of patients with cancer cachexia, which enhanced the use of various treatment options. This, in turn, increased their innovations to reduce muscle wasting and weight loss.

Pancreatic Cancer

The pancreatic cancer segment is expected to show the highest growth during the forthcoming years, as it can lead to maximum cancer cachexia cases. Moreover, their rapid progression is also increasing their severity. Similarly, the lack of treatment options is increasing the use of various treatment options and enhancing innovations.

By Distribution Channel Insights

What Made Hospital Pharmacies the Dominant Segment in the Cancer Cachexia Market in 2025?

The hospital pharmacies segment led the market in 2025, due to growth in the patient volume. They also provided supportive care along with other treatment options. At the same time, they also offered supervision, which helped to monitor the severe cases, which enhanced the patient trust, and increased patient outcomes and dependence on them.

Online Pharmacies

The online pharmacies segment is expected to show the fastest growth rate during the upcoming years, as they offer a wide range of treatment options and enhance accessibility across remote areas. They are also providing home deliveries, which is enhancing the patient's convenience and comfort. Similarly, discounts are also attracting them.

Regional Distribution

• North America held the dominance in the market in 2025. 
• The U.S. led the market by capturing the largest revenue share of the market in 2025. 
• Asia Pacific is expected to be a significantly growing region in the studied years. 
• India is anticipated to grow at a rapid CAGR during the forecast period.
• Europe is expected to grow at a notable CAGR in the cancer cachexia market during the forecast period.
• The UK is anticipated to grow at a rapid CAGR during the forecast period.

Are Increasing Cancer Cases Fueling North America?

North America dominated the cancer cachexia market in 2025, due to the growth in the incidence of cancer cases. The presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure also increased the use of various treatment options, where the early adoption of advanced solutions also enhanced their acceptance rates. The industries are also contributing to their R&D, where the growing healthcare investments have also increased their use, which has contributed to the market growth.

The presence of the advanced healthcare sector is increasing the use of various treatments in the U.S. to tackle the growing cancer cachexia. This, in turn, is driving the innovation where the R&D investments are supporting them. Additionally, increasing awareness is also increasing their early diagnosis and demand for effective treatment.

What Factor Drives the Asia Pacific?

Asia Pacific is expected to host the fastest-growing cancer cachexia market during the forecast period, due to expanding healthcare infrastructure. This is increasing the number of oncology centers, which is increasing the use of various advanced therapies and appetite stimulants, while rapid urbanization is also increasing their incidence rates. The growing government initiatives are also increasing their acceptance rates, enhancing the market growth.

The growing pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancer cases in India are increasing the demand for effective treatment options to reduce the risk of cancer cachexia. India is also experiencing a rise in the oncology centres, which are increasing the adoption of various cancer cachexia treatment options, which are supported by funding.

Why is Advanced Healthcare Transforming Europe?

Europe is expected to grow significantly in the cancer cachexia market during the forecast period, due to the presence of an advanced healthcare sector, which is increasing the use of appetite stimulants and other supportive treatment options. The increasing cancer incidences are also driving their R&D and clinical trials where the growing government health awareness programs are also increasing their early diagnosis, promoting the market growth.

The UK is increasingly adopting various supportive treatment options to overcome cancer cachexia. The presence of an advanced healthcare system and growing cancer cases are also increasing their use. Moreover, the growing focus on enhancing the quality of life is also promoting their innovations.

Cancer Cachexia Market Value Chain Analysis

R&D

• The R&D of cancer cachexia focuses on developing treatments targeting appetite regulation and GDF-15 pathways.
• Key players: Pfizer, Inc., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Helsinn Group.

Clinical Trials and Regulatory Approvals

• The clinical trials and regulatory approval of cancer cachexia treatment focus on the demonstration of their benefits and improvement in the patient's health, to enhance their outcomes.
• Key players: Pfizer, Inc., Helsinn Group, Actimed Therapeutics.

Formulation and Final Dosage Preparation

• The formulation and final dosage preparation of cancer cachexia treatment options involves the development of oral tablets or capsules and subcutaneous injections.
• Key players: Helsinn Group, Actimed Therapeutics, Artelo Biosciences.

Packaging and Serialization

• Standard pharmaceutical packaging with track and trace serialization is provided for the packaging and serialization of cancer cachexia treatment.
• Key players: Gerresheimer, Schott Pharma.

Patient Support and Services

• Patient support and service for cancer cachexia involves nutrition counselling, reimbursement assistance, caregiver education, adherence program, and telehealth follow-up.
• Key players: Optum, Cardial Health, Sonexus, McKesson Patient Support Services.

Who are the Top Vendors in the Cancer Cachexia Market and What are Their Offerings?

SWOT Analysis

Strength

• Due to the lack of effective treatment options for cancer cachexia, the demand for the same is increasing, driving innovations.
•  The growing focus on supportive care to enhance the quality of life is increasing the use of various treatment options to enhance patient outcomes.
• The companies are developing various effective and targeted therapies, which are promoting their clinical trials.
• Moreover, the growing legalization of cannabinoid-based therapies is also increasing their acceptance rates.

Weakness

• The treatment options used against cancer cachexia show limited effectiveness, which only offer relief from the symptoms, which reduces their adoption rates.
• The cannabinoid-based therapies and appetite stimulants are often associated with side effects like dizziness and hormonal changes.

Opportunity

• Growing awareness due to increasing health awareness programs and campaigns is promoting the use of various treatment options.
• The companies are developing novel therapeutics such as anabolic agents, personalized medicines, metabolic modulators, and combination therapies targeting muscle wasting and appetite.
• The use of online pharmacies is also increasing due to the growing shift toward home healthcare.
• Moreover, to deal with the unmet medical need, the companies are innovating various treatment options, which are being supported by regulatory bodies as they are offering fast-track approvals and orphan drug designations.

Threats

• High production cost acts as a major threat in the development of cancer cachexia treatment due to its expensive manufacturing process.
• Stringent regulations focusing on the safety, effectiveness, and quality of the treatment options also slow down their innovations.

Recent Developments in the Cancer Cachexia Market

• In September 2025, the interim result of the phase 2 Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS), of ART27.13 developed by Artelo Biosciences, was announced, which highlighted that a significant growth in the lean body mass was noted in the treatment group, offering a new therapeutic modality for cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS).
• In August 2025, a Notice of Allowance for ART27.13, a peripherally selective cannabinoid agonist for cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS) treatment, developed by Artelo Biosciences, was issued by the European Patent Office (EPO).

Segments Covered in the Report

By Treatment

• Appetite Stimulants
• Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists
• Corticosteroids
• Anabolic/Androgenic Agents
• Others

By Type

• Pancreatic Cancer
• Gastric (Stomach) Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer
• Others

By Distribution Channel

• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies

By Region

• North America 
  • U.S. 
  • Canada 
  • Mexico 
  • Rest of North America 
• South America 
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Europe 
  • Western Europe 
    • Germany 
    • Italy 
    • France
    • Netherlands
    • Spain
    • Portugal
    • Belgium
    • Ireland
    • UK
    • Iceland 
    • Switzerland 
    • Poland
    • Rest of Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe 
    • Austria
    • Russia & Belarus
    • Türkiye
    • Albania
    • Rest of Eastern Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Taiwan 
  • India 
  • Japan
  • Australia and New Zealand
  • ASEAN Countries (Singapore, Malaysia)
  • South Korea
  • Rest of APAC
•  MEA 
  • GCC Countries
  • Saudi Arabia
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  • Qatar
  • Kuwait
  • Oman
  • Bahrain
  • South Africa
  • Egypt
  • Rest of MEA