Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Competition, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Immunology, Oncology), By Technology (Cell-based flow cytometry, Bead-based Flow Cytometry), By Offering (Reagents, Instruments, and Consumables Software), By Application (Translational Research, Clinical Research), By End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, and Reference Laboratories, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Academic Research Institutes, Contract Research Organizations, and Others), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

Global Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology Market was valued at USD 3.41 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 5.47 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 8.19% during the forecast period. The global market for Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology is experiencing significant growth, driven by the expansion of flow cytometry’s applicability in research activities and the development of next-generation flow cytometers. According to the World Health Organization, Cancer is one of the leading causes of disease burden and mortality in the world, and strategies for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are still a global effort.

The flow cytometry in oncology and immunology refers to the laboratory procedure to measure the number of cells, the percentage of live cells, and certain characteristics of cells, such as size and shape, in a sample of blood, bone marrow, or other tissue, the presence of tumor markers, such as antigens, on the surface of the cells. Immuno-oncology (IO) is the study of the immune system functionality against cancer and the development of treatments that improve the ability of the immune system to fight the disease. However, the demand for new oncology and immunologic techniques/tools is increasing, which is expected to drive the growth of global flow cytometry in oncology and immunology market. Additionally, the development of technology, and efforts to find specific and sensitive tools to monitor immune responses during and after therapy is thereby expected to drive the growth of the market in the forecast years.

Key Market Drivers

Rising Cancer Incidence Driving Diagnostic Demand

One of the most significant drivers of the global flow cytometry market in oncology is the increasing global burden of cancer. Flow cytometry is essential for cancer diagnostics, particularly in hematological malignancies such as leukemia and lymphoma, where it enables the identification, classification, and monitoring of abnormal cells. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer was responsible for nearly 10 million deaths worldwide in 2020, making it the leading cause of death globally. The Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) projects that new cancer cases will rise to over 28 million by 2040, up from 19.3 million in 2020.

As cancer diagnosis becomes more precise and targeted therapy gains traction, flow cytometry plays a crucial role in characterizing cell populations, identifying cancer biomarkers, and tracking treatment response. For instance, minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring via flow cytometry is becoming a standard in leukemia treatment, helping physicians make informed clinical decisions. Additionally, flow cytometry is increasingly used in clinical trials to analyze immune cell profiles and assess the efficacy of immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T therapies.

Governments worldwide are investing in early diagnosis and precision medicine programs to mitigate the rising economic and societal burden of cancer. The U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) allocated over $7.2 billion in 2023 toward cancer research, much of which supports technologies like flow cytometry. These initiatives create a strong foundation for the expansion of flow cytometry applications in oncology, establishing it as a vital diagnostic and monitoring tool in global cancer care.

Growing Adoption in Immunology and Infectious Disease Research

Flow cytometry has become a cornerstone in immunology research and clinical practice due to its ability to provide detailed analyses of immune cell phenotypes, functions, and cytokine production. The increasing prevalence of immune-related diseases—ranging from autoimmune disorders to chronic inflammatory diseases and emerging infectious diseases—has significantly driven demand for this technology.

Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis, are on the rise globally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that autoimmune diseases affect approximately 5–8% of the U.S. population, equating to over 20 million individuals. This has created substantial interest in immune profiling and the role of T-cells, B-cells, and cytokine expression in disease progression and treatment response. Flow cytometry allows researchers and clinicians to dissect immune system abnormalities and develop targeted therapies.

Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of flow cytometry in infectious disease research. Governments and health organizations have increasingly turned to immunophenotyping to understand immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 and vaccine efficacy. Flow cytometry was widely used in global COVID-19 studies, supported by organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These applications extended beyond COVID-19, reinforcing the value of flow cytometry in pandemic preparedness and broader immunological applications. With immunotherapies continuing to evolve, flow cytometry’s role in immune monitoring, therapeutic development, and personalized medicine will expand significantly, making it a key growth driver in immunology and related fields.

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Key Market Challenges

High Cost and Operational Complexity

Despite its wide-ranging applications, flow cytometry remains an expensive and technically demanding technology, posing a significant challenge for broader adoption, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The initial investment in high-parameter flow cytometers, automated cell sorters, and supporting software can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Additionally, recurring costs for reagents, consumables, and instrument maintenance contribute to a high total cost of ownership.

More critically, flow cytometry requires skilled personnel for instrument calibration, sample preparation, data acquisition, and analysis. Interpreting flow cytometric data is complex, and errors in gating or compensation can lead to misleading results. This complexity limits its use in resource-constrained settings and smaller clinical labs that lack the infrastructure or expertise to support such high-level operations.

While advanced economies are addressing these challenges through investment in laboratory automation and digital analysis tools, the global disparity in laboratory capacity remains stark. According to the World Health Organization's Global Health Observatory, many low-income countries have less than 1 diagnostic imaging or laboratory unit per 100,000 people, highlighting a systemic gap in access to sophisticated diagnostics like flow cytometry. These financial and operational barriers hinder the equitable adoption of flow cytometry globally and limit its potential impact in regions where the burden of cancer and infectious diseases is growing. Addressing this challenge will require concerted efforts from governments, non-profits, and private companies to improve affordability and build capacity.

Data Standardization and Reproducibility Issues

Another major challenge facing the flow of cytometry market in oncology and immunology is the lack of standardized protocols and data reproducibility across laboratories. Technology’s reliance on multi-parameter analysis and gating strategies introduces variability, especially when different labs use non-harmonized antibody panels, software, and instrument settings.

This lack of consistency becomes particularly problematic in clinical trials and multi-center studies, where reproducibility of immune profiling data is critical. In immuno-oncology, for example, slight deviations in sample handling or data interpretation can result in discrepancies in identifying biomarkers or predicting patient response to therapy. Such issues undermine the reliability of clinical research and delay regulatory approvals. Government agencies have acknowledged this problem. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have jointly supported initiatives like the Flow Cytometry Standardization Working Group, which aims to establish best practices for instrument calibration, antibody titration, and quality control. Still, widespread implementation of these standards remains a work in progress, particularly in decentralized research settings.

Moreover, as flow cytometry datasets grow in size and complexity often involving millions of events and 20+ parameters per sample the need for robust data analysis pipelines becomes even more pressing. Lack of integration between data analysis software and electronic health records or laboratory information systems further exacerbates the problem. Until standardization becomes the norm, the reproducibility of flow cytometry-based research and diagnostics will remain a challenge for the field.

Key Market Trends

Integration with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

One of the most transformative trends in flow cytometry is the growing integration with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance data analysis and decision-making. Traditional flow cytometry involves complex gating strategies and manual data interpretation, which can introduce variability and errors. AI and ML tools are now being developed to automate these processes, reduce human error, and identify hidden patterns in high-dimensional datasets.

AI-driven platforms can rapidly process thousands of samples with complex marker panels and extract clinically relevant insights. For example, ML algorithms can predict patient outcomes based on flow cytometry-derived immune signatures, which is highly valuable in oncology for treatment stratification. These technologies are also being applied in immunology to track immune responses in real time and identify rare cell populations that are otherwise difficult to detect manually. Governments and research agencies are funding efforts to integrate AI into clinical diagnostics. In the U.S., the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports projects under its Bridge2AI initiative, aimed at bringing AI into healthcare workflows, including diagnostics like flow cytometry. Additionally, the European Commission’s Horizon Europe program funds projects focused on AI in biomedical research and personalized medicine.

Expansion into Point-of-Care and Portable Flow Cytometry

The traditional image of flow cytometry as a complex, bench-top laboratory tool is evolving rapidly with the development of portable and point-of-care (POC) flow cytometers. This trend is driven by the need to decentralize diagnostics, particularly in resource-limited settings or for remote patient monitoring.

Recent innovations have resulted in compact, battery-operated flow cytometers that can perform basic cell counting and immunophenotyping at the bedside or in mobile clinics. These instruments are being tested for use in emergency settings, military field hospitals, and rural clinics, where access to centralized laboratories is limited. Such tools are particularly beneficial for immunology applications like CD4 counting in HIV patients or monitoring immune recovery post-chemotherapy.

Government bodies are recognizing the importance of decentralizing diagnostics. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the role of point-of-care diagnostics in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), especially in low-income countries. WHO’s Essential Diagnostics List includes CD4 testing as a core diagnostic tool, encouraging the adoption of simplified flow cytometry methods for frontline healthcare.

Segmental Insights

Technology Insights

Based on Technology, Cell-based flow cytometry dominates the market and is expected to maintain its lead due to its critical role in analyzing heterogeneous cell populations, particularly in cancer and immune-related disorders. This technology enables detailed phenotypic and functional characterization of individual cells, which is indispensable in both clinical diagnostics and research applications in oncology and immunology. In oncology, cell-based flow cytometry is widely used to identify and monitor tumor cell populations, detect minimal residual disease (MRD), and evaluate responses to immunotherapies. In immunology, it allows for precise profiling of T cells, B cells, and other immune subsets, enabling researchers and clinicians to study immune responses in autoimmune diseases, infections, and vaccine trials. According to data from the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), the application of flow cytometry in immunophenotyping has been instrumental in advancing cancer immunotherapies, particularly for diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Additionally, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. FDA continue to support the integration of cell-based flow cytometry in clinical trials, especially for evaluating the efficacy of CAR-T and checkpoint inhibitor therapies.

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Regional Insights

Based on the region, North America held the largest market share in the Global Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology Market. This dominance can be attributed to several key factors, including the region’s well-established healthcare infrastructure, high adoption of advanced diagnostic technologies, and strong presence of leading market players. In particular, the United States contributes significantly to North America’s leadership due to its robust investments in biomedical research and development. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), federal funding for cancer research exceeded USD 7 billion in FY 2023, reflecting the country’s commitment to advancing cancer diagnostics and treatment. Furthermore, government programs such as the Cancer Moonshot Initiative continue to fuel innovations in immuno-oncology, including the adoption of advanced flow cytometry technologies. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supports the development and regulatory approval of companion diagnostics, many of which use flow cytometry platforms to guide targeted therapies. This has driven increased demand for precision diagnostics and companion diagnostic tools in oncology and immunology.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, Crown Bioscience, a global contract research organization (CRO) based in San Diego, California, and a subsidiary of JSR Life Sciences and JSR Corporation, recently acquired by Japan Investment Corporation Capital Co., Ltd. (JICC), announced a major expansion of its Singapore facility. This development includes the integration of advanced oncology research models and state-of-the-art imaging technologies. The expansion underscores Crown Bioscience’s continued commitment to enhancing preclinical drug discovery and development capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.
• In July 2024, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a global leader in medical technologies, entered a strategic global collaboration with Quest Diagnostics, a prominent provider of diagnostic information services. The partnership is focused on the joint development, manufacturing, and commercialization of flow cytometry-based companion diagnostics (CDx). The initiative aims to support the selection of optimal therapeutic treatments for cancer and other diseases, combining both organizations’ strengths to further the progress of precision medicine and personalized diagnostics.
• In April 2024, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, a recognized innovator in laboratory automation and a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation, launched the CytoFLEX Nano Flow Cytometer. This groundbreaking instrument, intended for research use only, is capable of detecting particles as small as 40 nanometers, representing a significant advancement in nanoscale flow cytometry. The new technology enables 30–50% more data generation than current market alternatives, highlighting Beckman Coulter’s ongoing leadership in delivering high-performance analytical solutions.
• In January 2024, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences also introduced the first commercially available anti-TRBC2 conjugated antibody specifically designed for flow cytometry. This pioneering development provides researchers with improved accuracy in identifying T-cell neoplasms, enhancing diagnostic capabilities across a range of oncology and immunology applications.

Key Market Players

• Danaher Corporation
• Merck KGaA
• Miltenyi Biotec
• Neo-Genomics Laboratories, Inc.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
• Cell Signaling Technology, Inc.
• Becton, Dickinson and Company
• Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• DiaSorin S.p.A
• OPKO Health, Inc.

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology Market, By Type:

o   Immunology

o   Oncology

• Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology Market, By Technology:

o   Cell-based flow cytometry

o   Bead-based flow cytometry

• Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology Market, By Offering:

o   Reagents

o   Instruments

o   Consumables

o   Software

• Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology Market, By Application:

o   Translational Research

o   Clinical Research

• Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology Market, By End User:

o   Hospitals

o   Diagnostic Laboratories

o   Reference Laboratories

o   Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies

o   Academic Research Institutes

o   Contract Research Organizations

o   Others

• Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Mexico

§  Canada

o   Europe

§  France

§  Germany

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Spain

o   Asia-Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  South Korea

§  Japan

§  Australia

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East and Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Flow Cytometry in Oncology and Immunology Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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