Disease awareness boosts Japan’s KRAS oncogene test market

Nucleic acid amplification tests dominate the market.

The Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) market in Japan is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.5% between 2020 and 2025, driven by the growing incidence of colorectal and lung cancers, disease awareness, and technological advancements in diagnosis, according to GlobalData.

In particular, nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) is majorly used in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients to detect gene mutation, which accounts for about 75% of the market in 2020, said GlobalData’s Medical Devices Analyst Aakriti R.

However, the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology has now pushed for KRAS testing for CRC patients because of its positive clinical results, Aakriti added.

Meanwhile, next-generation sequencing testing accounted for about 15% of the market, but is expected to grow because of its ability to detect rare and novel KRAS mutations.

“It is possible that a higher proportion of patients will be classified as having mutant KRAS and resistance to anti-EGFR therapies. GlobalData predicts the use of less sensitive methods... to decrease during the forecast period while NAATs will remain prevalent,” Aakriti said.