Oncology
We’re working to invent a world where cancer isn’t just treated, but cured.
Our focus | Discovery efforts | Community support | Stories
Our focus on cancer research and treatments
We’re proud to deliver breakthrough innovations in oncology that are helping to extend the lives of patients with certain types of cancer. We’re continuing to accelerate what we can achieve for the patients we serve, because everyone needs more ways to treat their cancer and, hopefully, more time.
Blood cancer
Blood (hematologic) cancers start in the bone marrow where blood cells develop. The most common types of blood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Merck is committed to advancing research in hematology and is studying new investigational candidates and new combinations that seek to improve care across these diverse diseases.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. Treating this disease is challenging due to many subtypes responding differently to treatment. Merck aims to elevate breast cancer research through our broad clinical development program with the goal of improving care across certain early-stage and metastatic disease.
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers
The most common GI cancers are esophageal, gastric (stomach), colorectal, pancreatic and liver. These cancers typically do not cause symptoms until they have reached an advanced stage, when treatments are usually less effective. Merck is advancing research through a broad clinical development program across GI cancers.
Head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancers refer to tumors that develop in or around the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses and mouth. Merck continues to innovate to advance treatment options for these patients.
Lung cancer
Globally, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, accounting for nearly 18% of all deaths from cancer. Merck has helped transform the way lung cancer is treated and is continuing to advance research, with the goal of improving outcomes for people affected by this disease.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer, and rates of the disease have been continuing to rise over the last several decades. Merck has helped deliver meaningful advances for people with melanoma and is furthering research in skin cancers through our comprehensive clinical development program.
Prostate cancer
Globally, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in people assigned male at birth. In the U.S., one-third of people diagnosed at an advanced stage survive five years after diagnosis. Merck is committed to advancing our clinical development program to find effective therapeutic approaches for this complex and difficult-to-treat disease.
Renal cell carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is by far the most common type of kidney cancer; about 90% of kidney cancers cases are RCCs. Merck is dedicated to continuing efforts to discover effective treatments for this disease.
Our oncology discovery and development efforts
Our team of researchers and scientists are pushing the boundaries of cancer research to discover more effective anticancer therapies. Learn about our research in immunotherapy and other emerging platforms.
Supporting the cancer community
We work with the entire oncology community — advocacy partners, health care providers, governments and industry colleagues — to create programs that help patients and caregivers on their journeys, as well as provide grants to organizations that support patients with cancer.
Focus On Your Lungs aims to demystify lung cancer screening with educational information and real stories.
We’re dedicated to supporting people around the world who are living and working with cancer, like our own Chet Kitchen. We’re proud to be an accredited CEO Cancer Gold Standard employer and a founding member of the Working with Cancer pledge.
Uncovering TNBC spotlights women who faced – and rose above – the challenges of triple-negative breast cancer.
Our Alliance to Advance Patient-Centered Cancer Care aims to increase access to care and reduce disparities among vulnerable and underserved populations in the U.S.
Advancing patient-centered cancer care in resource-limited communities.
Our company, along with other sponsors, is teaming up with the American Cancer Society on a nationwide Return to Screening initiative to encourage patients to resume appropriate cancer screening and follow up care.
Oncology stories
Hear from people living with cancer and the researchers working to tackle one of the world’s greatest health challenges.
Learn about our other therapeutic areas
Cardio-metabolic disorders
We have a long history of making an impact in cardio-metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Infectious diseases
We are taking on infectious diseases with the hope of creating a better world.
Vaccines
Our work in vaccines focuses on making certain diseases a thing of the past.