Immunotherapy Delivers Across Tumor Types as Oncology Market Eyes $750 Billion
MWN-AI** Summary
The global oncology market is poised for significant growth, projected to expand from $279.98 billion in 2026 to approximately $748.17 billion by 2035, driven largely by advancements in immunotherapy. This innovative treatment modality is reshaping standards of care across various cancer types, particularly solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. By 2033, cancer drug revenues alone are anticipated to reach $335.2 billion, fueled by the rising adoption of targeted therapies and innovative treatments, including checkpoint inhibitors and cell therapies.
Companies such as Oncolytics Biotech, Eli Lilly, Gilead Sciences, Arcellx, and Merck are at the forefront of this evolution, investing in breakthrough oncology pipelines to address urgent medical needs. The immuno-oncology segment demonstrates robust growth, predicted to reach $170.19 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.9% as a result of the increasing prevalence of cancer and the approval of combination therapies.
Oncolytics Biotech’s recent randomized Phase 2 trial, REO 033, aims to tackle colorectal cancer, exploring the efficacy of pelareorep when combined with established therapies. This follows promising results from earlier studies showing improved survival rates, highlighting the potential for new treatment options where current therapies are limited.
Eli Lilly continues to innovate with targeted therapies, showcasing substantial benefits in early-stage lung cancer. Gilead Sciences' acquisition of Arcellx for a next-generation CAR-T therapy underscores the intense focus on advancing cell therapies in the oncology landscape. Furthermore, Merck's Keytruda remains a leader in the immunotherapy arena, revealing strong performance across various cancer types.
Overall, the oncology sector is navigating transformative changes, with immunotherapy paving the way for improved patient outcomes and market expansion.
MWN-AI** Analysis
As the global oncology market prepares to soar toward an estimated $750 billion by 2035, immunotherapy is anticipated to drive significant revenue streams and reshaping treatment paradigms across diverse tumor types. Current trends indicate that cancer drug revenues might reach $335.2 billion by 2033, positioning immunotherapies at the forefront due to their growing adoption and expanding application across solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.
Investors seeking opportunities in this burgeoning sector should closely monitor key players such as Oncolytics Biotech (NASDAQ: ONCY), Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD), and Merck (NYSE: MRK). Oncolytics’ innovative approach, particularly its trial using pelareorep to treat refractory colorectal cancer, reflects the type of groundbreaking research that could lead to substantial market capture. Should this Phase 2 trial yield promising results, the potential $3-5 billion annual market for KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer treatments could become a lucrative addition to Oncolytics' portfolio.
Eli Lilly’s promising data on Retevmo in early-stage lung cancer further emphasizes the concentrated focus on turning research breakthroughs into commercial success. With the efficacy of targeted therapies being profoundly established, continued investment in firms with diversified oncology pipelines could yield rewarding returns.
Additionally, Gilead’s acquisition of Arcellx for next-generation CAR-T therapeutics underlines the rapid consolidation occurring in the sector—suggesting larger players are prioritizing robust R&D capacity and clinical pipelines. Gilead's focus on CAR-T therapies for multiple myeloma could mark a pivotal advancement, presenting a high-potential investment avenue for growth-minded stakeholders.
In summary, as immunotherapy continues transforming treatment frameworks, strategic investments in innovative oncology companies poised for growth could unlock significant value in this expanding market. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor to align investment choices with risk tolerance and market conditions.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Canada NewsWire
Issued on behalf of Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
USANewsGroup.com News Commentary
VANCOUVER, BC, March 3, 2026 /CNW/ --The global oncology market is projected to nearly triple from $279.98 billion in 2026 to an estimated $748.17 billion by 2035, as immunotherapy continues to reshape the standard of care across solid tumors and hematologic cancers[1]. Cancer drug revenues alone are expected to reach $335.2 billion by 2033, driven by the rapid clinical adoption of targeted therapies, checkpoint inhibitors, and next-generation cell therapies[2]. Companies advancing breakthrough oncology pipelines across multiple indications include Oncolytics Biotech (NASDAQ: ONCY), Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD), Arcellx (NASDAQ: ACLX), and Merck (NYSE: MRK).
The immuno-oncology segment is forecast to expand from $65.22 billion in 2025 to $170.19 billion by 2032 at a compound annual growth rate of 14.9%, driven by rising cancer prevalence and a wave of combination therapy approvals[3]. Immunotherapy drug development remains the fastest-growing area of oncology R&D, with checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and cell therapies collectively attracting record levels of clinical investment[4].
Oncolytics Biotech (NASDAQ: ONCY) has launched a study that could reshape how doctors treat one of the most stubborn forms of colorectal cancer. The company's randomized Phase 2 trial, REO 033, will evaluate pelareorep in combination with bevacizumab and FOLFIRI in second-line RAS-mutated (which includes KRAS), microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer, a patient population where current treatments offer limited benefit and new options are urgently needed.
"I am honored to lead this study as I have a long track record working with pelareorep and have witnessed its ability to improve patient outcomes in a meaningful way," said Dr. Sanjay Goel, Professor of Medicine at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. "The colorectal cancer data we recorded in the REO 022 study continues to be compelling to this day, as evidenced by the Fast Track Designation, and I hope we can generate additional exciting data in this new trial to support registration."
The confidence behind REO 033 stems from compelling data generated in a previous clinical study. Pelareorep combined with bevacizumab and FOLFIRI demonstrated 27 months of overall survival and 16.6 months of progression-free survival, compared to 11.2 and 5.7 months for the standard of care. Objective response rate was 33% versus approximately 10% for the standard of care, more than tripling the benchmark in a notoriously difficult-to-treat population. Notably, this treatment regimen was granted Fast Track Designation by the FDA earlier this year.
"The potential to improve clinical outcomes compared to the standard of care in the second-line setting would have the potential to benefit patients around the world who are affected by colorectal cancer," said Dr. Van Morris, Associate Professor in the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "An immunotherapy with the potential to improve outcomes would improve treatment options in colorectal cancer and would be highly welcomed, especially as we are seeing more and more patients being diagnosed with colorectal cancer."
The global market for second-line treatment in KRAS-mutant, microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer runs between $3-5 billion annually. The study will randomize 60 patients to either the pelareorep combination or a control arm of bevacizumab and FOLFIRI, with objective response rate as the primary endpoint. Oncolytics expects to open the first study site later this month, with additional clinical sites added in quick succession, and preliminary data is expected by year-end 2026.
CONTINUED… Read this and more news for Oncolytics Biotech at:
https://usanewsgroup.com/2024/09/21/is-oncolytics-biotech-the-markets-most-undervalued-cancer-opportunity/
In other industry developments:
Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) has reported results showing substantial event-free survival benefit for Retevmo (selpercatinib) as an adjuvant therapy in early-stage RET fusion-positive lung cancer, expanding the role of targeted therapy in oncology. The LIBRETTO-432 trial enrolled 151 patients across a global, multicenter study, generating one of the largest datasets ever assembled for adjuvant targeted therapy in this setting.
"We have consistently observed that cancer medicines can deliver their greatest impact when administered early in the course of a patient's treatment journey," said Jacob Van Naarden, Executive Vice President and President of Lilly Oncology. "The LIBRETTO-432 results support this observation, demonstrating an effect size in line with the most striking data for targeted adjuvant therapy in lung cancer."
Lilly's breast cancer drug Verzenio (abemaciclib) generated $5.3 billion in full-year 2025 revenue, an 8% increase year over year, reinforcing the company's position as a leader in targeted oncology therapeutics. The Retevmo adjuvant data further strengthens a pipeline spanning solid tumors, hematologic cancers, and novel modalities.
Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) has agreed to acquire Arcellx (NASDAQ: ACLX) in a $7.8 billion transaction to maximize the long-term potential of anito-cel, a next-generation CAR-T cell therapy for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The FDA has accepted the anito-cel BLA for review, with a potential launch later this year that would add a second CAR-T product to Gilead's oncology portfolio alongside Yescarta.
"This agreement reflects our conviction in the potential of anito-cel and our intention to move with speed so we can make the most of that potential for patients with multiple myeloma," said Daniel O'Day, Chairman and CEO of Gilead Sciences. "Beyond the potential launch this year, anito-cel could become a foundational treatment for multiple myeloma over time, including earlier lines of therapy."
The acquisition underscores the accelerating consolidation in cell therapy, where large-cap oncology companies are paying premium valuations for differentiated platforms with near-term regulatory catalysts. Gilead's combined cell therapy franchise, anchored by Yescarta and now anito-cel, positions the company as one of the largest players in the rapidly expanding CAR-T market.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has presented new data at the 2026 ASCO GU Cancers Symposium demonstrating that Keytruda in combination with Padcev significantly improved event-free survival, overall survival, and pathologic complete response in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The KEYNOTE-B15 results represent the latest expansion of Keytruda's genitourinary oncology portfolio.
"We're excited to share new results from our portfolio and pipeline for more patients with certain types of bladder and kidney cancers," said Dr. Marjorie Green, Senior Vice President and Head of Oncology, Global Clinical Development at Merck Research Laboratories. "The results we're presenting at ASCO GU underscore our leadership across the genitourinary cancer landscape and our commitment to advance standards of care for these patients."
Merck's Keytruda franchise generated over $31 billion in global sales in 2025, maintaining its position as the world's top-selling oncology drug. The company is advancing clinical trials across virtually every major solid tumor type, including ongoing studies in colorectal and gastrointestinal cancers where immunotherapy combinations are showing increasing promise.
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SOURCES:
- https://www.pharmiweb.com/press-release/2026-02-19/oncology-market-value-to-more-than-double-reaching-usd-74817-billion-by-2035
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oncologycancer-drugs-market-to-reach-335-2-billion-by-2033-globally-at-7-2-cagr-allied-market-research-302683974.html
- https://www.openpr.com/news/4395526/immuno-oncology-market-set-for-remarkable-expansion-as
- https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/02/17/3239494/28124/en/Immunotherapy-Drugs-Market-Research-and-Forecast-Report-2020-2025-2025-2026-with-Analyst-Recommendations-Adoption-of-AI-in-Drug-Discovery-Combination-Therapies.html
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FAQ**
With Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) acquiring Arcellx for $7.8 billion, how will this acquisition impact Gilead's position in the competitive CAR-T therapy market, especially regarding the adoption of next-gen treatments?
As the oncology market approaches a valuation of $750 billion, what role do you foresee Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) playing in the development of combination therapies that integrate immunotherapy with existing treatments?
How can Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) leverage the promising data from its acquisition of Arcellx to enhance patient outcomes in multiple myeloma, given the potential market opportunity in this area?
With immunotherapy showing increasing efficacy across various tumor types, how does Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) plan to align its strategic investments to capture burgeoning market segments in oncology?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY).
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