3 Cancer Stocks to Buy Amid Rapid Advances in Cancer Treatment

Industry Overview - The global oncology market is evolving significantly due to rising cancer incidence and rapid scientific advancements, with the American Cancer Society estimating approximately 2.04 million new cancer diagnoses and over 618,000 cancer-related deaths in the U.S. by 2025 [2] - Aging populations and lifestyle-related risk factors are contributing to higher cancer prevalence, leading to sustained growth in healthcare spending on oncology [2] Innovation in Cancer Care - Breakthroughs in immunotherapies, targeted treatments, and personalized vaccines are expanding therapeutic options beyond conventional chemotherapy and radiation [3] - Immune-based strategies, including checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T therapies, are harnessing the body's immune system to target tumors, while targeted therapies focus on specific genetic alterations [3] - Emerging technologies like genomic sequencing, AI, and machine learning are enhancing biomarker discovery and supporting earlier diagnosis, improving survival rates and quality of life across several cancer types [4] Pharmaceutical Investment - Major pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Pfizer, AbbVie, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Eli Lilly, are investing aggressively in oncology portfolios with new therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies [5] - Smaller biotech firms are also crucial in driving innovation through partnerships, licensing agreements, and acquisitions [5] Market Dynamics - Oncology is considered one of the most durable and attractive segments within the global healthcare sector for long-term investors, supported by ongoing innovation and favorable reimbursement dynamics [6] Company Focus: Johnson & Johnson - J&J's oncology segment currently accounts for approximately 27% of its total revenues, with oncology sales rising 20.6% to $18.52 billion in the first nine months, driven by key products like Darzalex and Erleada [9] - J&J's oncology pipeline has gained momentum with promising developments in colorectal and head and neck cancers, and the company expects its oncology sales to reach $50 billion by the end of the decade [10][12] - J&J is also enhancing its oncology pipeline through M&A, including a recent agreement to acquire Halda Therapeutics [11] Company Focus: ImmunityBio - ImmunityBio's lead drug, Anktiva, was approved for treating BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, generating $74.7 million in sales with a 467% increase in volume [13] - The drug is under review in the EU, and ImmunityBio is evaluating Anktiva for expanded use in other cancer indications [15] Company Focus: Foghorn Therapeutics - Foghorn Therapeutics is developing precision therapies targeting genetically driven vulnerabilities, with a collaboration with Lilly to co-develop its selective SMARCA2 oncology program [17] - Foghorn's lead candidate, FHD-909, is advancing in a phase I study for SMARCA4-mutated cancers, with initial data expected in 2026 [17][18]