On February 12, 2026 Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, reported that data across multiple genitourinary cancers from several approved and investigational medicines will be presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Genitourinary (ASCO GU) Cancers Symposium from Feb. 26-28. These data, including three studies that will be featured in the symposium’s press program, underscore Merck’s commitment to advancing research across its broad portfolio to improve patient outcomes.
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"We’re excited to share new results from our portfolio and pipeline for more patients with certain types of bladder and kidney cancers, with new data in muscle invasive bladder cancer and earlier stages of renal cell carcinoma," said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. "The results we’re presenting at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU underscore our leadership across the genitourinary cancer landscape and our commitment to advance standards of care for these patients."
Data presentations will feature new findings from Merck’s broad portfolio of cancer medicines, including key data for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), WELIREG (belzutifan) and LENVIMA (lenvatinib), in collaboration with Eisai, as well as new results for the investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) from Merck’s innovative pipeline: sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT), a TROP2-directed ADC being developed in collaboration with Kelun-Biotech.
Key data from Merck’s portfolio and pipeline to be presented at the 2026 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU Cancers Symposium:
First-time data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-B15/EV-304 trial evaluating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, plus Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) as neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment (before and after surgery) for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who are eligible for cisplatin (abstract #LBA630, Oral abstract session B: Urothelial carcinoma), which will be featured in the official ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU Press Program.1
Results from the first interim analysis of the Phase 3 LITESPARK-022 trial evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with WELIREG, Merck’s first-in-class oral hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor, as a treatment for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following nephrectomy (abstract #LBA418, Oral abstract session C: Renal cell cancer and testicular cancer), which will be featured in the official ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU Press Program.
First presentation of data from the Phase 3 LITESPARK-011 trial evaluating WELIREG plus LENVIMA, an orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discovered by Eisai, as a treatment for patients with advanced RCC whose disease progressed on or after treatment with anti-PD-1/L1 therapy (abstract #LBA417, Oral abstract session C: Renal cell cancer and testicular cancer), which will be featured in the official ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU Press Program.2
First-time data presentation for the Phase 2 MK-2870-002 study evaluating sac-TMT plus KEYTRUDA for patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (abstract #744, Poster session B: Prostate cancer and urothelial carcinoma).3
Details on abstracts listed above and additional key abstracts for Merck
Bladder cancer
Neoadjuvant and adjuvant enfortumab vedotin (EV) plus pembrolizumab (pembro) for participants with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who are eligible for cisplatin: Randomized, open-label, Phase 3 KEYNOTE-B15 study. M. D. Galsky.1
Abstract #LBA630, Oral abstract session B: Urothelial carcinoma
Sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) plus pembrolizumab (pembro) in participants (Pts) with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC): Results from the Phase 2 2870-002/SKB264-II-06 study. X. Bian.3
Abstract #744, Poster session B: Prostate cancer and urothelial carcinoma
Pathological outcomes and disease-free survival (DFS) in KEYNOTE-905: Neoadjuvant and adjuvant (neoadj-adj) enfortumab vedotin (EV) plus pembrolizumab (pembro) in participants (pts) with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who are cisplatin-ineligible. To be determined.1
Abstract #638, Rapid oral abstract session B: Urothelial carcinoma
KEYMAKER-U04 substudy 04B: First-line (1L) enfortumab vedotin (EV) plus pembrolizumab (pembro)-based immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combinations for advanced urothelial cancer (UC). A. Peer.1
Abstract #634, Rapid oral abstract session B: Urothelial carcinoma
SWOG 2427: Single arm Phase II study of bladder preservation with immunoradiotherapy after a clinically meaningful response to neoadjuvant therapy in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (BRIGHT). L. K. Ballas.4
Abstract #TPS913, Trials in progress poster session B: Urothelial carcinoma
Kidney cancer
Adjuvant pembrolizumab plus belzutifan versus pembrolizumab for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): The randomized Phase 3 LITESPARK-022 study. T. K. Choueiri.
Abstract #LBA418, Oral abstract session C: Renal cell cancer and testicular cancer
Belzutifan (bel) plus lenvatinib (lenva) versus cabozantinib (cabo) for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after anti-PD-(L)1 therapy: Open-label Phase 3 LITESPARK-011 study. R. J. Motzer.2
Abstract #LBA417, Oral abstract session C: Renal cell cancer and testicular cancer
Ascending dose escalation of belzutifan plus palbociclib for previously treated advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): Phase 1/2 LITESPARK-024 study Part 1. D. F. McDermott.5
Abstract #423, Rapid oral abstract session C: Renal cell cancer and testicular cancer
KEYMAKER-U03 substudy 03B: Novel investigative regimens for previously treated advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). L. Albiges.
Abstract #505, Poster session C: Renal cell cancer; adrenal, penile, testicular and urethral cancers
Phase 2 trial of belzutifan in participants from China and Japan with von Hippel-Lindau disease-associated tumors: Results from LITESPARK-015 cohort B1. G. Naik.
Abstract #494, Poster session C: Renal cell cancer; adrenal, penile, testicular and urethral cancers
Prostate cancer
Efficacy and safety of the DLL3 T-cell engager gocatamig in participants (pts) with neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) and other neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN). H. Beltran.6
Abstract #182, Poster session A: Prostate cancer
(Press release, Merck & Co, FEB 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234662643])