Our scientists are accelerating research by looking to improve anti-tumor immune response, targeting specific cancer cells and helping inhibit cancer growth.
In recent decades, our improved understanding of cancer has illuminated that we cannot treat all cancers as one disease — scientists have classified hundreds of types and found myriad genetic drivers underlying them.
Dr. Jane Healy
Vice President and Head of Oncology Early Development, Merck Research Laboratories
“Advancements in oncology research are helping to fuel the next generation of discoveries and drive progress in the way we care for people with all stages of cancer,” said Dr. Jane Healy, vice president and head of oncology early development, Merck Research Laboratories. “We must continue to push research forward that supports early discoveries and novel innovations.”
Driving research toward treating certain cancers earlier
With the ultimate goal of providing patients with the greatest chance for survival, our researchers are building a broad clinical development program focused on treating certain cancers at earlier stages.
“Expanding our research efforts into earlier stages of disease remains a top priority,” Healy said. “We’re pursuing research where we have the greatest potential to make a significant impact in helping reduce the risk of recurrence and improving survival.”
A robust pipeline of diverse approaches to advanced and earlier stages of cancer
Through our own research and external collaborations, we’ve developed a robust pipeline that encompasses diverse approaches to treating advanced and earlier stages of cancer across more than 20 novel mechanisms, including:
- Boosting anti-tumor immune responses: Learnings from recent advancements in cancer care have informed a more focused approach to research. Now, we’re investigating foundational cancer treatments combined with negative immune regulators that play different roles in adjusting the immune response. We’re also exploring individualized neoantigen therapies, a growing area of research focused on sharpening the immune response against a person’s own tumor by developing a therapy unique to their tumor’s mutation.
- Tissue-specific targeting of chemotherapy to increase cancer cell sensitivity to immune responses: While chemotherapy remains an important treatment option, our scientists are exploring how antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), with novel chemotherapy-like payloads, can be used as a more targeted approach to deliver chemotherapy. Similarly, we’re pursuing research that enhances the ability of T cells to recognize and attack tumors.
- Impacting pathways that can drive cancer growth: We’ve identified opportunities for the direct targeting of cancer cell vulnerabilities and transcription factors that were previously considered untreatable. By designing therapeutic candidates that inhibit or degrade proteins and genes implicated in cancer pathways, we’re evaluating new ways to help address rare and difficult-to-treat cancers that currently have limited treatment options.
“These key areas of research are the cornerstones of our broad and diverse pipeline, with more than 2,800 trials that will evaluate patients in combination regimens,” Healy said. “We remain dedicated to discovering new ways to fight this disease and optimizing existing approaches — all while continuing to lead in supporting the next generation of cancer research and care.”
To learn more, visit merck.com/research/oncology
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