The actinic keratosis treatment market size is estimated to be USD 6,487.2 million in 2022 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.36% during the forecast period 2023-2033. Rising incidence of actinic keratosis and expanding elderly population globally are some of the factors contributing to the market growth. Furthermore, growing public awareness regarding actinic keratosis and several strategic decisions made by market participants are other factors supporting the market growth. However, availability of alternative therapy is expected to hinder the growth.

Rising incidence of actinic keratosis is expected to propel the market growth during the forecast period. Actinic keratosis affects 37 to 55 percent of Australian adults over 40 in 2019, according to News-Medical.net. The relatively light skin of the Australian population and significant UV exposure are related to this. Australians also enjoy playing outside, so they tend to spend as much time in the sun as possible. Additionally, it has been discovered that men are more likely than women to get actinic keratosis in 2019, according to News-Medical.net, but it is also associated with other risk factors including time spent outdoors in the sun and overall sun exposure.

Expanding elderly population globally is predicted to fuel the market growth during the projected period. For instance, it was predicted that more than 54 million adults over the age of 65 reside in the United States, accounting for 16.5% of the country’s total population, according to AMERICA’s HEALTH RANKINGS senior report 2021. Furthermore, 18.0% of the population, or 6,835,866 persons, were over 65 in July 2021, according to Statista Canada. Squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, is anticipated to be a risk factor for actinic keratosis.

Segmentation

By Therapy 

The market is categorized into surgical, topical, and photodynamic therapy. In 2022, the surgical segment accounted for the highest revenue share due to the higher uptake of cryotherapy for the treatment of actinic keratosis. However, the topical therapy segment is anticipated to sustain consistent growth due to expanding self-use therapy usage, an increase in home-based treatments, and different strategic initiatives implemented by market participants. For instance, Almirall, S.A. stated in March 2020 that the USFDA has completed reviewing the new medication application for the treatment of actinic keratosis terbutaline (ALM147891). The photodynamic therapy market is estimated to grow significantly over the course of the forecast period due to increasing use of non-invasive treatments and PDT’s (photodynamic therapy) better efficacy in comparison to cryotherapy.

By Drug Class

The market is categorized into NSAIDs, nucleoside metabolic inhibitor, photoenhancers, immune response modifiers, and others. In the global market, the nucleoside metabolic inhibitor segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022 owing to successful commercial outcomes of Efudex, Carac, and fluroplex.  In addition, the segment has grown owing to greater knowledge of actinic keratosis diagnosis and treatment. The expansion of the nucleoside metabolic inhibitors market is also boosted by a number of strategic actions performed by market participants. For instance, the leading manufacturer of dermatological products, Hill Dermaceuticals, Inc., officially announced that its Tolak (Flurouracil) 4% cream has been approved for use in 13 European nations, including the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and Italy. The photoenhancers segment is estimated to have substantial growth potential due to the factors including growing public awareness of actinic keratosis therapy, numerous strategic actions taken by market participants, and an increase in the use of photo-enhancers such as photofrin, Metvix, and Levulan.

By End User

The market is segmented into private clinics, homecare, hospitals, and others. In 2022, the hospitals segment accounted for the largest revenue share owing to accessibility of treatment rates, the presence of healthcare facilities, and rise in photodynamic therapy treatments carried out in hospitals. A variety of prescription drugs are available for use during photodynamic treatment. It is possible to treat mildly to moderately thick actinic keratosis on the scalp, upper arms, and face with the prescription medications LEVULAN and KERASTICK, which are made by DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The homecare segment is projected to expand at the fastest rate during the projected period. The growing adoption of topical products, patient convenience factors, accessibility of over-the-counter (OTC) products, and the expanding number of topical product launches are all factors contributing to the growth of the homecare market.

Regional Markets

In 2022, North America region accounted for the highest revenue in the actinic keratosis treatment market and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This is attributed to the actinic keratosis’ increasing incidence, encouraging government measures, growing consumer awareness, better healthcare infrastructure improvements, and continued technical advancements. One of the main factors of market growth is also the existence of important market players in North America. Additionally, encouraging government programmes and reimbursement policies are anticipated to boost sector expansion. Asia Pacific is anticipated to experience the fastest growth during the projection period. Some of the major drivers propelling the market over the projection period include a rise in treatment uptake, rising consumer disposable income, and high disease frequency in some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand.

Competitor Insights

Some of the key players operating in the actinic keratosis treatment market are Almirall S.A., GALDERMA, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Novartis AG, Ortho Dermatologics (Bausch Health Companies Inc.), LEO Pharma A/S, Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc., Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals, Inc and BIOFRONTERA AG.

To achieve a competitive edge, these companies are implementing a variety of growth strategies. Strategic partnerships, alliances, and agreements with different businesses and research institutions are seen to be the main strategies used by companies in this sector.

• For instance, Almirall S.A. announced a research partnership with the University of Dundee in April 2022 to create advanced treatments for common and chronic dermatological conditions.

This comprehensive research report focuses on the global and regional market size and forecasts of diverse segments including therapy, drug class and end user from 2023 to 2033.

Report Scope:

Segmentation: Actinic Keratosis Treatment Market Report 2022 – 2033

Therapy (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Surgical
• Topical
• Photodynamic Therapy

Drug Class (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• NSAIDs
• Nucleoside Metabolic Inhibitor
• Photoenhancers
• Immune Response Modifiers
• Others

End user (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Private Clinics
• Homecare
• Hospitals
• Others

By Region (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of LATAM
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of MEA