Circulating Tumor Cells Market Size is USD 14.18 Bn in 2025 Fueled by AI and Liquid Biopsy Demand

The global circulating tumor cells market size was calculated at USD 12.63 billion in 2024 and is predicted to attain around USD 40.29 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 12.30% from 2025 to 2034.

Highlights of the Circulating Tumor Cells Market

• North America dominated the market in 2024.
• Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing circulating tumor cells market during the forecast period.
• By technology, the CTC detection & enrichment methods segment dominated the circulating tumor cells market in 2024.
• By technology, the CTC analysis segment is the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period.
• By application, the clinical segment dominated the circulating tumor cells market in 2024.
• By application, the research segment is the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period.
• By product, the kits & reagents segment dominated the market in 2024.
• By product, the devices or systems segment is the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period.
• By specimen, the blood segment dominated the circulating tumor cells market in 2024.
• By specimen, the bone marrow segment is the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period.
• By end-use, the hospital and clinics segment dominated the market in 2024.
• By end-use, the research and academic institutes segment is the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period.

Circulating Tumor Cells Market Statical Scope

The circulating tumor cells market is defined as the global industry focused on the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of technologies and services associated with the detection, analysis, as well as utilization of circulating tumor cells for cancer diagnosis, together with management. Circulating tumor cells analysis offers insights into the specific features of a patient's tumor, directing the selection of targeted therapies as well as improving treatment plans for individual patients. Unlike traditional biopsies, which can be invasive as well as painful, circulating tumor cells detection is considered to be a liquid biopsy, meaning it includes a simple blood draw.

• In June 2023, Bio-Techne Corporation, a global life sciences firm offering innovative tools and bioactive reagents for the research as well as clinical diagnostic communities, declared it has reached an agreement to obtain Lunaphore, Inc. Bio-Techne expects the acquisition to close in the first quarter of its fiscal 2024.

Circulating Tumor Cells Market: Stats and Figures

• According to the American Cancer Society, there are nearly 2,041,910 new cancer cases and 618,120 cancer deaths estimated to occur in the United States in 2025.
• Guardant Health currently received FDA acceptance for its Guardant360® CDx, a liquid CGP test. The firm declared its first-quarter 2025 revenue of $203.5 million, a rise of 21% from Q1 FY24. The oncology segment followed with the highest revenue of $150.6 million and nearly 59,000 tests.

How AI Has Benefitted the Circulating Tumor Cells Market

AI has remarkably benefited the circulating tumor cell market by improving detection accuracy, permitting personalized treatment strategies, and streamlining the determining process. AI algorithms can process huge amounts of information from circulating tumor cell samples, determining patterns and forecasting treatment responses with greater precision than conventional methods. This contributes to more effective cancer diagnosis as well as management. AI algorithms help to automate many of the labor-intensive steps in circulating tumor cell analysis, like image processing and cell counting, also freeing up clinicians for other tasks. AI can assist researchers in better understanding the complex biology of cancer by determining the genetic and molecular features of circulating tumor cells.

Circulating Tumor Cells Market Dynamics

How is the growing preference for non-invasive diagnostic methods driving the adoption of CTC-based tests, thus driving the growth of the circulating tumor cells market?

The increasing demand for non-invasive cancer diagnostics is a major driver for the growth of the circulating tumor cells market. Circulating tumor cell-derived tests, which determine tumor cells circulating in the bloodstream, provide a less invasive option to conventional biopsies for cancer detection, treatment planning, and monitoring. Circulating tumor cells can be analyzed in the blood even before tumors become huge enough to be tackled by imaging, creating circulating tumor cell-based tests valuable for early cancer detection. Continuous developments in circulating tumor cells detection, along with the isolation techniques, including the integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, are improving the accuracy and efficiency of circulating tumor cells analysis.

How is the lack of standardized protocols and regulatory approvals for CTC-based tests a restraint for the circulating tumor cells market?

The lack of standardized protocols and regulatory approvals is a significant restraint on the circulating tumor cell (CTC) market. This is due to the absence of universally accepted methods for CTC isolation and analysis, which makes it challenging to compare results across different studies and laboratories, hampering clinical adoption and regulatory approval. The absence of standardization led to the high expense of circulating tumor cells testing, as specialized devices and labor-intensive processes are usually required. This high expense can restrict access to CTC-based tests, mainly in resource-limited settings or for individuals with limited financial resources.

How are innovations in chip technology an opportunity for the expansion of the circulating tumor cells market?

Innovations in chip technology, mainly microfluidic devices, are creating outstanding opportunities for the expansion of the circulating tumor cells market by permitting more efficient and accurate isolation as well as determination of circulating tumor cells. Chip technology assists in overcoming limitations of conventional circulating tumor cells isolation methods, like lower sensitivity, inability to handle all circulating tumor cells of all types and sizes, high manufacturing expenses, and difficulty retrieving captured cells.

Microfluidic devices can decrease sample volume, improve sensitivity, and incorporate multiple processes, making the determination of circulating tumor cells more efficient as well as cost-effective. Advancements in chip design, along with surface functionalization, have remarkably enhanced the circulating tumor cells capture efficiency and purity.

Industry Leader Announcements

• Brett Whalen, Chair of the Board of Directors of Sernova

“Sernova has demonstrated tremendous growth over the past several years as it has transitioned from a research company to one that is moving towards commercialization of a product for the treatment of multiple chronic diseases, including our flagship program for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). As a united Board, we feel now is the time to bring in an industry leader with extensive experience with large pharmaceutical companies as well as entrepreneurial biotech and advanced therapeutics-focused companies,” commented Brett Whalen, Chair of the Board of Directors of Sernova. “The skills that Ms. Pussinen brings to our company include over 25 years of global experience shepherding new therapies from development through commercialization across multiple conditions with sales measured in the billions.”

• Nitin Sood, Senior Vice President and Head of Product Portfolio & Innovation at QIAGEN

”The launch of the new QIAseq panels represents a significant step forward in enabling researchers to gain deeper, more accurate insights into cancer biology and biomarker discovery along the complete workflow from sample technologies to QIAGEN Digital Insights for powerful genomic data analysis and interpretation,” said Nitin Sood, Senior Vice President and Head of Product Portfolio & Innovation at QIAGEN. ”Additionally, our new QIAcuity digital PCR kit and assays support pharma companies in developing safe and effective biotherapeutics, also for cancer patients. We are moving ahead in supporting scientists and clinicians in advancing cancer research and precision medicine.”

Segmental Insights

Technology Insights

Why Are CTC Detection & Enrichment Methods Leading the Market?

The CTC detection & enrichment methods segment dominated the circulating tumor cells market in 2024. This is mainly because isolating together with purifying circulating tumor cells from blood samples is a vital first step for any downstream analysis, making these methods important. The CTC detection and enrichment methods segment generally holds the largest market share within the CTC market. These methods are basic because they permit the isolation as well as purification of viable circulating tumor cells from blood, which is important for subsequent analysis.

The CTC analysis segment is the fastest-growing in the circulating tumor cells market during the forecast period. This rapid expansion is largely attributed to the rising integration of advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning in CTC analysis, which permits more precise molecular profiling along with a deeper understanding of tumor behavior. CTC analysis is becoming increasingly crucial in cancer research and treatment, along with applications in disease monitoring, early cancer detection, and determining treatment response. For instance, understanding subclonal intratumor heterogeneity via circulating tumor cells analysis can assist in identifying the reasons for treatment resistance, contributing to more effective therapies.

Application Insights

How Are CTCs Enhancing Early Cancer Detection and Personalization?

The clinical segment dominated the circulating tumor cells market in 2024. Blood is the most broadly used specimen for CTC analysis because of its accessibility as well as non-invasive nature. Bone marrow offers valuable insights into hematologic cancers and is a rapidly rising area of research. Other body fluids are utilized in specific cases where circulating tumor cells are mostly found outside the blood and bone marrow.

The research segment is the fastest-growing in the circulating tumor cells market during the forecast period. The growing incidence of cancer globally is driving the demand for more precise as well as early diagnostic tools, along with circulating tumor cells detection and enrichment provides a non-invasive approach to cancer diagnosis. CTC analysis is becoming rising important in personalized medicine, as it permits the determination of genetic mutations or resistance markers, which can assist in guiding treatment decisions.

Product Insights

Why Are Kits & Reagents Leading the Circulating Tumor Cells Market?

The kits & reagents segment dominated the market in 2024. This supremacy is attributed to the frequent usage of these products in both research along diagnostic settings for circulating tumor cells detection and analysis. The increasing acceptance of liquid biopsy techniques, developments in reagent sensitivity, and the broad use of kits such as the CellSearch kit (mainly in the U.S.) led to this segment's prominence.

The devices or systems segment is the fastest-growing in the circulating tumor cells market during the forecast period. This expansion is primarily driven by the rising acceptance of automated as well as highly efficient systems for circulating tumor cells detection, isolation, and analysis. Market research reports state these systems, including microfluidic apparatus and immunomagnetic separation tools, provide faster results and enhanced precision in CTC diagnostics.

Specimen Insights

What’s Fueling the Growth of Bone Marrow Use in Circulating Tumor Cells Analysis?

The blood segment dominated the circulating tumor cells market in 2024. This is mainly due to the non-invasive nature of blood-based assays, together with their widespread usage in liquid biopsy protocols. This dominance is anticipated to continue as blood samples are cost-effective, convenient, and minimally invasive for circulating tumor cells. Blood-derived CTC assays are broadly accepted in both clinical settings for routine diagnostics as well as in research labs for studying cancer biology and advancing new therapies.

Leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are the most common cancers.

The bone marrow segment is the fastest-growing in the market during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the increasing need for more specific and localized tumor analysis, especially in the context of hematologic cancers, as well as early-stage research on bone metastasis. Bone marrow analysis provides valuable insights into the existence of circulating tumor cells in these kinds of cancers and assists in understanding tumor progression beyond peripheral blood circulation. Bone marrow is an essential site for hematologic cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, and is also a usual site for metastasis from other cancers. Bone marrow samples are vital in cancer research, assisting researchers in studying the biology of metastasis and developing new therapies.

• A study stated a median survival of 51 months for individuals with CTCs in the bone marrow, whereas those without CTCs had a median survival of 33 months.

End-use Insights

What’s Driving Growth in Research Use of Circulating Tumor Cell Technologies?

The hospital and clinics segment dominated the market in 2024. This supremacy is largely attributed to the rising acceptance of CTC-based diagnostic technologies in clinical settings for cancer monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Hospitals and clinics are central to patient care and are actively incorporating CTC technologies into their practices, mainly with the growth of personalized medicine. Hospitals and clinics are where cancer individuals receive diagnosis and treatment, making them the essential users of circulating tumor cells technologies for numerous purposes, including early detection, monitoring disease progression, along assessing treatment efficacy.

The research and academic institutes segment is the fastest-growing in the circulating tumor cells market during the forecast period. This rise is mainly driven by increased support for cancer research, mainly in areas such as early cancer detection, personalized therapies, and nanomedicine. Academic laboratories and research institutions are essential drivers in the advancement of new CTC-based diagnostic technologies as well as applications.  A significant section of worldwide cancer research funding is being directed towards circulating tumor cells-based technologies, mainly in areas such as early detection and personalized medicine.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the circulating tumor cells market in 2024. This is mainly due to its developed healthcare infrastructure, solid research and development activities, as well as high cancer prevalence. This region boasts a well-known healthcare system with highly developed diagnostic technologies, including those utilized in CTC analysis. The region undergoes a high burden of cancer cases, contributing to increased need for advanced diagnostic tools such as CTC testing for early detection and monitoring.

• In March 2024, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., a global contributor in life science research and clinical diagnostic products, declared the launch of validated antibodies for rare cells as well as circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration. Validated for usage with Bio-Rad’s Celselect Slides Enumeration Stain Kits, the antibodies are important for circulating tumor cells surface markers to permit the sensitive and specific identification of target cell populations, improving the study of tumor heterogeneity as well as disease progression at various stages.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing circulating tumor cells market during the forecast period. This is particularly driven by factors like the rising incidence of cancer, increasing awareness about early cancer detection, along with the significant investments in healthcare infrastructure within the region. Increased healthcare spending, mainly in countries such as China and India, is boosting the acceptance of CTC technologies for cancer diagnosis as well as monitoring. There is a growing knowledge among the population as well as healthcare professionals about the advantages of early cancer detection, along with the role of liquid biopsies in this process.

• A study conducted in India utilizing the cell block technique in a cytopathology lab states that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) were determined in 5.35% of cases. Breast cancer cases were the most common among those in which circulating tumor cells were detected. The study, published in the Journal of Cytology, showed the cell block method as an effective approach for CTC detection, mainly in resource-limited settings.

Recent Developments in the Circulating Tumor Cells Market

• In May 2025, Natera, Inc., a worldwide leader in cell-free DNA as well as precision medicine, declared that information from more than 25 Signatera studies will be presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.
• In March 2025, Miltenyi Biotec declared that its CAR-T therapy, ZAMTO Cell, for B-cell lymphoma is anticipated to be available in India by early 2026. CAR-T therapy, a kind of immunotherapy, includes genetically modifying an individual’s T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells.
• In February 2025, Ikonisys SA, a firm specializing in the early as well as accurate detection of cancers via a unique, fully automated solution for medical determination laboratories, declares the completion of a capital raise of €500k by way of a private placement with a unique investor.

Competitive Landscape

The global market is undergoing substantial growth, boosted by advancements in cancer diagnostics and the rising prevalence of cancer. Key players in this market are actively advancing innovative technologies and collaborating to tackle the growing need for non-invasive cancer detection and personalized medicine.

• Company Name: Cell Microsystems
• Year of Incorporation: 2010
• Headquarters: Durham, North Carolina, United States

Cell Microsystems functions within the competitive landscape of single-cell analysis as well as cell-based research. The firm faces competition in areas such as cell isolation, sorting, along analysis, with established players such as Danaher Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and 10x Genomics also active in the market. Cell Microsystems distinguishes itself via its CellRaft Technology, providing an alternative to traditional methods such as FACS, mainly for isolating strongly expressing clones.

• Company Name: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
• Year of Incorporation: 1957
• Headquarters: Hercules, California, United States

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. (Bio-Rad) develops, produces, and markets instruments, consumables, software, and reagents for life science research as well as clinical diagnostics markets. Its products include autoimmune testing kits, antibodies, cell isolation and analysis tools, blood typing and antibody detection systems, and digital PCR, among others.

• Company Name: Creative Bioarray
• Year of Incorporation: 2004
• Headquarters: Shirley, New York, USA

Creative Bioarray tackles competition from numerous firms in the drug discovery and genomic research services industry. Creative Bioarray's competitors change in the specific services they provide, ranging from drug discovery to genomic research. Understanding these differences aids in determining the best-suited competitor for specific demands.