Top trends of 2026: Emerging therapies and diagnostics are on track to transform cancer care

Fig. 1 - Approved radiopharmaceuticals used in diagnosis and therapy for different diseases. Several agents are used in multiple diseases, and they are preferentially categorized into their primary indications. All therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals are applied for oncology. Source: Zhang et al., 2025.

Advances in isotope production, radiochemistry, and delivery methods are making these therapies less difficult to manufacture, more scalable, and increasingly accessible to specialized treatment centers. Pharma incumbents and startups alike are racing to stake positions in this emerging market, which is projected to reach USD 13.67 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.2%. More than a dozen biotech startups, several publicly traded companies, and multiple large drugmakers are developing radiopharmaceuticals, signaling a rare convergence of clinical impact and commercial opportunity.

For clinicians, radiopharmaceuticals deliver surgical accuracy in targeting disease; for patients, potent therapies with fewer side effects; and for investors, a rapidly expanding segment with substantial growth potential.

New headwinds in U.S. cancer innovation

While these emerging therapies hold tremendous promise, realizing their full potential requires more than good science; it also depends on a supportive ecosystem. The U.S. cancer research system is substantial, but its reliance on federal funding means it's particularly sensitive to shifts in policy.

So far this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has deprioritized mRNA vaccine development, cut millions in cancer research grants, laid off hundreds of staff who led the nation's cancer research system, and proposed trimming the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) budget by over 37%. Rising vaccine skepticism among HHS leadership is also influencing public perception of vaccines, which could have downstream effects on the market.

Even so, international momentum is strong. For example, while federal support for mRNA research may be waning in the U.S., the number of RNA trials globally is rising, with mRNA the preferred modality.

This global support is reinforced as several leading U.S. scientists relocate their research abroad, including some returning to China, ensuring that progress in cancer research continues globally even as domestic priorities evolve. Others are being recruited from governments in Canada, France, and Spain.

While there's still every reason to continue advocating for science in the U.S., these moves could help ensure the cancer field advances internationally, keeping the promise of new cancer therapies alive and creating opportunities for companies and treatment centers positioned to bring them to patients.

Want to see where the next opportunities in oncology are unfolding? Request a demo of Definitive Healthcare to connect with the leading experts, treatment centers, labs, and healthcare providers driving the next wave of cancer care.