Rahway, NJ — February 12, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, will present data across multiple genitourinary cancers from several approved and investigational medicines at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary (ASCO GU) Cancers Symposium from Feb. 26-28.
The data includes three studies that will be featured in the symposium’s press program, underscoring Merck’s commitment to advancing research across its broad portfolio to improve patient outcomes.
According to Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck is excited to share new results from its 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.
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 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 GU Press Program.
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 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 GU Press Program.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Abstract #182, Poster session A: Prostate cancer
Merck is advancing research aimed at helping transform the treatment landscape and broaden options for people with genitourinary (GU) cancers, including bladder, kidney and prostate cancers. Globally, GU cancers account for an estimated 2.6 million new cancer diagnoses each year, equaling over 1 in 8 of all cancer incidences. Through a robust clinical development program with more than 50 clinical trials evaluating more than 22,000 patients around the world, Merck is investigating the potential of several portfolio medicines and pipeline assets, leveraging multiple novel combination strategies, across various stages of disease, to help address unmet needs in GU cancers.
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
WELIREG®, Merck’s first-in-class hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor, is an orally administered small-molecule designed to reduce transcription and expression of HIF-2α target genes associated with cellular proliferation, angiogenesis and tumor growth. By inhibiting HIF-2α signaling, WELIREG aims to disrupt key pathways certain tumors may use to adapt to low-oxygen conditions, including those that help promote abnormal blood vessel formation and support tumor survival.
LENVIMA, discovered and developed by Eisai, is an orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). LENVIMA inhibits other kinases that have been implicated in pathogenic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression in addition to their normal cellular functions, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1-4, the platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα), KIT, and RET.
In March 2018, Eisai and Merck, through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of LENVIMA. Under the agreement, the companies jointly develop, manufacture and commercialize LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA, and HIF-2α inhibitor, WELIREG.
At Merck, every day, we follow the science as we work to discover innovations that can help patients, no matter what stage of cancer they have. As a leading oncology company, we are pursuing research where scientific opportunity and medical need converge, underpinned by our diverse pipeline of more than 25 novel mechanisms. With one of the largest clinical development programs across more than 30 tumor types, we strive to advance breakthrough science that will shape the future of oncology. By addressing barriers to clinical trial participation, screening and treatment, we work with urgency to reduce disparities and help ensure patients have access to high-quality cancer care. Our unwavering commitment is what will bring us closer to our goal of bringing life to more patients with cancer.
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities.
Source: Merck
