Merck to Unveil Broad Range of Clinical Advances Across 25+ Cancer Types at ASCO 2025
Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, is set to make a major impact at the upcoming 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, taking place from May 30 to June 3. The company announced it will present new research across more than 25 types of cancer, reinforcing the depth and breadth of its oncology pipeline and portfolio. With a strong focus on both novel investigational therapies and long-term data from established cancer treatments, Merck’s ASCO 2025 presence underscores its commitment to innovation and leadership in cancer research and care.
The data being presented cover a wide spectrum of treatment settings and tumor types and reflect Merck’s continued strategy to address both common and hard-to-treat cancers. This includes updates from ongoing clinical trials evaluating both monotherapies and combination approaches—spanning early-stage disease through advanced and metastatic cancer settings.
“The new data we are presenting at ASCO spotlight our commitment in oncology as we pioneer novel treatment approaches in our ongoing work to transform cancer care,” said Dr. Marjorie Green, Senior Vice President and Head of Oncology, Global Clinical Development at Merck Research Laboratories. “Merck is fueling the next wave of innovation in cancer through research to help address significant unmet medical needs for even more patients.”
Novel Investigational Therapies From Merck’s Oncology Pipeline
Merck will debut a number of clinical updates from its research pipeline, with particular emphasis on early-stage and first-in-human data involving emerging modalities such as KRAS inhibitors and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). These studies are part of Merck’s effort to explore next-generation targets and enhance precision medicine approaches in oncology.
1. MK-1084: Targeting KRASG12C-Mutated Colorectal and Lung Cancers
Leading Merck’s investigational presentations is MK-1084, a selective oral KRASG12C inhibitor. The company will showcase initial results from the colorectal cancer cohort of the ongoing Phase 1 KANDLELIT-001 study. This study evaluates MK-1084 as both a monotherapy and in combination with other agents in patients with advanced, KRASG12C-mutated colorectal cancer (Abstract #3508). These data are scheduled to be featured in an oral abstract session focused on gastrointestinal malignancies.
Additionally, Merck will present updated findings from the same KANDLELIT-001 trial, this time focusing on its NSCLC cohort. These results will explore MK-1084’s effects in patients with KRASG12C-mutated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), also as a monotherapy and in various combinations (Abstract #8605). The data will be presented during a poster session dedicated to metastatic NSCLC.
2. Zilovertamab Vedotin: Advancing Antibody-Drug Conjugate Technology in Lymphoma
Another major area of focus is zilovertamab vedotin, an investigational antibody-drug conjugate designed to target receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1). Merck will unveil new findings from the Phase 2/3 waveLINE-003 study, which evaluates this ADC in combination with standard-of-care therapies for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (Abstract #7005). These findings will be presented during an oral session on hematologic malignancies.
3. Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (sac-TMT): Expanding TROP2-Directed Therapeutics
Merck will also highlight international research in collaboration with Kelun-Biotech. Investigators from China will share data from the Phase 2 OptiTROP-Lung03 trial, which evaluates sacituzumab tirumotecan, an investigational TROP2-directed ADC, in previously treated patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC (Abstract #8507). This study explores the potential of sac-TMT as an innovative therapeutic for a patient population with limited treatment options.
New and Updated Findings From Merck’s Approved Cancer Medicines
Beyond its early-stage pipeline, Merck is also presenting significant updates from ongoing trials involving two of its cornerstone oncology therapies: KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), the company’s widely used anti-PD-1 therapy, and WELIREG® (belzutifan), a first-in-class HIF-2α inhibitor. These updates span multiple tumor types, long-term survival data, and novel combinations in treatment-naïve and previously treated settings.
1. KEYTRUDA and Sacituzumab Govitecan in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
A major highlight of Merck’s ASCO 2025 agenda is the primary results from the ASCENT-04/KEYNOTE-D19 trial, which evaluates KEYTRUDA in combination with the TROP2-directed ADC sacituzumab govitecan-hziy. This Phase 3 study focuses on patients with previously untreated, locally advanced inoperable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (Abstract #LBA109). The findings have been selected as part of the ASCO press program and will be presented during an oral abstract session on metastatic breast cancer, reflecting their potential clinical significance.
2. Long-Term Data in Renal Cell Carcinoma and VHL Disease
Merck will present five-year follow-up results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 trial, which assesses KEYTRUDA monotherapy in an adjuvant setting for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy or resection of metastases (Abstract #4514).
Complementing these findings, Merck will also showcase long-term data from the Phase 2 LITESPARK-004 study involving WELIREG. This trial focuses on patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-associated tumors and now includes five-year follow-up results (Abstract #4507). These data are expected to provide valuable insights into the durability of treatment response with WELIREG.
3. KEYTRUDA-Based Combinations in Lung Cancer and Gastric Cancer
Merck continues to evaluate KEYTRUDA in combination with novel ADCs. New data from the Phase 1b TROPION-Lung02 trial will explore the use of KEYTRUDA alongside datopotamab deruxtecan, with or without chemotherapy, in the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC (Abstract #8501). This oral presentation may help shape future strategies in frontline lung cancer management.
Additionally, Merck will release 4.5-year follow-up data from the KEYNOTE-859 trial evaluating KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy in the first-line setting for patients with HER2-negative advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (Abstract #4036). These results will be shared during a poster session on gastrointestinal cancers.
4. Advancing Care in Cervical and Head & Neck Cancers
The final analysis of the KEYNOTE-A18 study will be another major point of interest. This Phase 3 trial investigates the addition of KEYTRUDA to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for high-risk, locally advanced cervical cancer. The results (Abstract #LBA5504) will be featured during an oral abstract session on gynecologic malignancies.
Merck will also present exploratory efficacy data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-689 study, which evaluates KEYTRUDA in a neoadjuvant/adjuvant setting for resectable, locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The regimen includes standard-of-care radiotherapy with or without cisplatin, followed by KEYTRUDA monotherapy (Abstract #6012).
Commitment to Driving Innovation and Transforming Cancer Treatment
The data being presented at ASCO 2025 demonstrate Merck’s multifaceted approach to cancer care—from exploring novel small molecules and targeted ADCs to maximizing the impact of immunotherapy through strategic combinations and long-term follow-up studies. With a research strategy focused on understanding tumor biology, improving patient outcomes, and addressing treatment resistance, Merck continues to be a global leader in oncology innovation.
Through its diverse clinical pipeline and established portfolio, Merck is striving to meet the evolving needs of patients across tumor types and stages of disease. Whether it’s introducing new targeted therapies like MK-1084, expanding the utility of KEYTRUDA in earlier cancer stages, or driving global collaborations with partners like Kelun-Biotech, Merck remains at the forefront of transforming the cancer treatment landscape.
As the ASCO 2025 Annual Meeting approaches, the oncology community awaits Merck’s data presentations with anticipation, recognizing the potential these findings hold in shaping the next generation of cancer therapies.
