Table of Contents
Overview
New York, NY – June 10, 2025 – The Latin America Monoclonal Antibodies For Cancer Market size is expected to be worth around US$ 16.6 Billion by 2034 from US$ 5.8 Billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 11.1% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034.
The market for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting cancer treatment is experiencing significant momentum across Latin America, driven by increasing cancer incidence, improving access to biologic therapies, and supportive public health initiatives. Countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina are leading the regional adoption of antibody-based immunotherapies, particularly in breast cancer, lung cancer, and hematological malignancies.
According to recent government health statistics, cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death in the region, with over 1.4 million new cases annually. In response, healthcare systems are expanding oncology budgets and streamlining regulatory pathways for biologics and biosimilars. Trastuzumab, rituximab, and bevacizumab remain among the most widely administered mAbs, with increasing demand for immune checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab.
Public-private partnerships and WHO-supported cancer control programs are facilitating clinical access and local manufacturing of monoclonal therapies. Brazil’s ANVISA and Mexico’s COFEPRIS have fast-tracked approvals for several biosimilar monoclonal antibodies, improving affordability and treatment equity. The regional market is expected to show double-digit growth over the next decade, as awareness, diagnostic capacity, and personalized oncology practices expand. Latin America is emerging as a critical growth region for global pharmaceutical firms investing in biologics-focused cancer portfolios.
Key Takeaways
- In 2024, the Latin America monoclonal antibodies for cancer market generated a total revenue of US$ 5.8 billion and is projected to reach US$ 16.6 billion by 2034, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1% during the forecast period.
- Among product types, Pembrolizumab accounted for the largest revenue share, contributing 20.5% to the overall market, driven by its widespread use in multiple solid tumors.
- By cancer type, the breast cancer segment emerged as the top revenue generator, holding a 23.4% share of the total market, supported by high prevalence rates and growing awareness.
- On the basis of antibody source, the humanized monoclonal antibodies segment led the market with a 62.6% share, reflecting advancements in antibody engineering and improved safety profiles.
- In terms of end-users, hospitals dominated the market landscape with a commanding 70.9% share, attributed to increasing hospital-based immunotherapy treatments and availability of oncology infrastructure.
- Brazil remained the largest country-level contributor to the regional market, securing a 37.0% share, supported by a robust public healthcare system and accelerated biologic approvals by ANVISA.
Segmentation Analysis
- Product Type Analysis: Pembrolizumab recorded the fastest growth in Latin America’s monoclonal antibodies for cancer market in 2024. Its high market share was supported by strong clinical trial activity and immunotherapy research across Brazil and Argentina. Government collaborations with pharmaceutical companies have accelerated drug availability. Regulatory bodies like ANMAT and COFEPRIS have granted fast-track approvals, enhancing patient access. These developments have solidified Pembrolizumab’s role as a leading therapeutic option in oncology care.
- Cancer Type Analysis: Breast cancer remained the leading cancer type in the regional monoclonal antibody market, driven by high disease prevalence and effective HER2-targeted therapies. Trastuzumab and T-DM1 significantly improved survival rates for HER2-positive patients. According to PAHO, breast cancer is the top cause of cancer deaths among women in Latin America. In Brazil alone, over 73,000 new breast cancer cases are expected annually from 2023 to 2025, supporting sustained demand for antibody-based treatment solutions.
- Source Analysis: Humanized monoclonal antibodies dominated the Latin American market due to superior targeting and reduced immune reactions. Therapies like trastuzumab and pembrolizumab, which closely resemble human antibodies, are widely adopted in treating breast, lung, and melanoma cancers. Backed by WHO and GCO data showing rising cancer incidence, demand continues to grow. Investments in biosimilar development have further increased affordability and access, reinforcing humanized mAbs as the leading antibody type for cancer treatment in the region.
- End-User Analysis: Hospitals held the largest market share for monoclonal antibody-based cancer treatments in Latin America, attributed to their advanced infrastructure and ability to manage complex cases. Therapies like rituximab and pembrolizumab require specialized administration and monitoring, typically available in hospital settings. Government investments such as Brazil’s US$ 200 million initiative to digitalize healthcare are strengthening public hospital capacity. These factors support hospital dominance as the primary end-user segment for monoclonal antibody therapies across the region.
Market Segments
By Product Type
- Bevacizumab
- Cetumaximab
- Ipilimumab
- Nivolumab
- Pembrolizumab
- Pertuzumab
- Rituximab
- Trastuzumab
- Trastuzumab Emtansine
By Cancer Type
- Breast Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Blood Cancer
- Melanoma
- Liver Cancer
- Others
By Source
- Humanized mAb
- Human mAb
- Chimeric mAb
By End-User
- Hospitals
- Research Institutes
- Others
Regional Analysis
Country Analysis
Brazil leads the Latin America monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for cancer market, contributing over 37.0% of regional healthcare expenditure. The country’s strong public healthcare system (SUS) and advanced medical infrastructure support widespread access to cancer treatments. With over 625,000 new cancer cases annually, demand for innovative therapies continues to rise.
Regulatory body ANVISA has accelerated approvals for biosimilars and mAbs. Government initiatives, such as the National Policy for Cancer Control, further enhance early diagnosis and treatment access across Brazil.
Emerging Trends
- Rising Cancer Burden Driving mAb Demand: Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) recorded an estimated 1.5 million new cancer cases and 700 000 deaths in 2020, corresponding to incidence and mortality rates of 186.5 and 86.6 per 100 000 population, respectively. This growing disease burden has created strong demand for targeted therapies such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which are increasingly viewed by health ministries as essential components of national cancer control plans.
- Expansion of Biosimilar Approvals: By the end of 2021, biosimilar versions of key anticancer mAbs rituximab, trastuzumab, infliximab, adalimumab, and bevacizumab were commercialized under 25 different brand names across Latin American markets. The arrival of these lower-cost biosimilars is beginning to ease budgetary pressures on public payers and is expected to improve patient access to lifesaving therapies.
- Regulatory Harmonization and PAHO Advocacy: In February 2025, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) called on LAC governments to prioritize access to essential cancer medicines including mAbs highlighting over 4 million new cases and 1.4 million cancer deaths annually in the Americas. Concurrent efforts under the Pan American Network for Drug Regulatory Harmonization (PANDRH) are streamlining approval processes, reducing time-to-market for both originators and biosimilars.
- Shift toward Precision and Combination Therapies: Clinical trials in the region are increasingly evaluating mAbs in combination with chemotherapy, targeted small molecules, and emerging immunotherapies. For example, in lung cancer trials conducted in Latin America, 50% (137 of 273) of therapeutic agents studied were mAbs, reflecting their central role in precision oncology strategies.
Use Cases
- HER2-Positive Breast Cancer (Trastuzumab): Trastuzumab has become the standard mAb therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer across major markets such as Brazil and Mexico. National registries indicate that approximately 20–25% of breast cancer cases in LAC overexpress HER2 receptors. Inclusion of trastuzumab in public formularies has improved 5-year survival rates from around 75% to over 85% in treated cohorts, according to Ministry of Health data from Brazil.
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (Rituximab): Rituximab is routinely used for CD20-positive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Health system reports show that rituximab is administered in approximately 60% of first-line regimens, leading to overall response rates of 70–80% in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients. Expanded biosimilar availability has reduced per-infusion costs by up to 30%, facilitating broader adoption in public hospitals.
- Metastatic Colorectal and Lung Cancer (Bevacizumab): Bevacizumab, targeting VEGF, is employed in combination with chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal and non-small cell lung cancers. Regional treatment guidelines recommend bevacizumab in first- and second-line settings, with median progression-free survival gains of 4–6 months compared to chemotherapy alone. Utilization surveys reveal that around 35% of eligible metastatic colorectal cancer patients receive bevacizumab in major tertiary centers.
- Precision Immuno-Oncology Trials: Emerging use cases include mAb combinations with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in clinical trials across LAC. Recent multi-center studies report that over 50% of enrolled advanced-stage patients exhibit objective responses when treated with mAb-based immunotherapy regimens, underscoring the region’s growing research capacity and the strategic importance of mAbs in precision oncology.
Conclusion
The Latin America monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for cancer market is poised for robust growth, driven by a rising cancer burden, expanded access to biologic therapies, and government-backed regulatory reforms. Countries like Brazil and Mexico are advancing public healthcare initiatives and biosimilar adoption, improving affordability and equity in cancer care.
Humanized mAbs, particularly pembrolizumab and trastuzumab, lead treatment protocols across high-prevalence cancers such as breast and lung cancer. Hospital-based administrations remain dominant due to infrastructure needs. As clinical trials and combination therapies expand, Latin America is increasingly recognized as a strategic region for oncology innovation and biologics investment.
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