Oncology

We are dedicated to transforming cancer care through innovative treatment approaches, striving to enhance the quality of life for patients and their loved ones facing the challenge of cancer.

Two women embrace, expressing Astellas’ commitment to therapies that have transformed the lives of millions of patients.

Oncology is Astellas’ largest area of focus and investment. We have delivered medicines that have made a significant impact on the cancer treatment landscape.

Cancer is one of the world’s biggest healthcare challenges.1 Almost everyone has a close experience of cancer in their lifetime, whether as a patient, relative or caregiver.

person-scanner icon

One in five people worldwide will develop cancer during their lifetime.1

globe icon

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. One in nine men and one in 12 women will die from cancer.1

plus sign safe

While vastly improved with modern medicine, survival rates for some cancers is still low.1

Red blood cells, illustrating Astellas’ commitment to deliver medicines that make an impact on the cancer treatment landscape.

Cancer is complex and persistent. It can evade the immune system or hide from it, disabling the body’s immune response.2 This is why we don’t rely on a single scientific platform or treatment modality and aim to increase the number, efficacy and safety of treatment options available to physicians.

Therapeutic disease areas

Patients are central to everything we do. Our goal is to apply unique patient perspectives to every phase of medicine development – from early research to development and ultimately, delivery. Our commitment spans across the patient journey from early diagnosis to education and support programs and onto access, meeting the diverse needs of the patients we serve.
 

Today, Astellas' portfolio includes therapies for prostate, bladder and stomach/GEJ cancer and acute myeloid leukemia.

When prostate cancer spreads beyond the prostate to other parts of the body, or returns after treatment, it is known as advanced prostate cancer.3 While advanced prostate cancer is not usually curable, treatments can help manage the disease, ease symptoms, and improve quality of life.4
 

Prostate cancer often grows slowly. In many cases, it can take years to grow large enough to be detected, and even longer to spread outside the prostate.5
 

In the United States, about 97% of people diagnosed with prostate cancer live at least five years. When the cancer is found early—while it is still local or regional—the five-year survival rate is nearly 100%. However, if it has already spread to distant parts of the body, the five-year survival rate drops to approximately 32%.7
 

These figures reflect outcomes in the U.S., where early detection and treatment are widely available. Survival rates may vary in other countries depending on access to healthcare, awareness, and resources. For example, European data from the EUROCARE-5 study shows a 5-year survival rate ranging from 76% to 88%, depending on the region.8

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is the most common type of bladder cancer, accounting for approximately 90% of all cases.9,10 It begins in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract.10
 

Bladder cancer is the 7th most prevalent cancer worldwide and ranks among the top 10 cancers by incidence in many countries, particularly affecting men.11,12 Globally, the 5-year prevalence estimates that over 1,700,000 men and women are living with bladder cancer within five years of a past diagnosis.13 The 5-year age-standardized survival rate for bladder cancer survival is 69% for men and 66% for women.14

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer globally, with nearly 970,000 cases diagnosed in 2022.15 Oftentimes, stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, meaning the cancer develops from the gland cells in the innermost lining of the stomach. Other types of cancers that start in the stomach include gastrointestinal stromal tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, lymphoma of the stomach, and types of squamous cell carcinoma in the stomach.16 Advanced or metastatic gastric cancer means it has spread from the tumor’s origin to other body tissues or organs.17
 

Globally, gastric cancer ranks fifth among the combined population for incidence and are twofold higher in men than women worldwide.18 Gastric cancer ranks fifth for mortality globally, with an estimated 659,805 deaths in 2022.14 Globally, overall five-year relative survival rate for people diagnosed with gastric cancer at any stage is 20%.17
 

Gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) tumors start at the area where the esophagus joins the stomach and tend to behave like cancers in the esophagus and are treated like them.19 Sometimes, people diagnosed with GEJ cancer are diagnosed once the cancer has already advanced and metastasized. 

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow but often quickly moves into the blood. It can sometimes spread to other parts of the body, as well.20 Most often, AML develops from cells that would turn into white blood cells, but sometimes it develops in other types of blood-forming cells.20 AML is deemed “acute,” meaning that this type of leukaemia can progress quickly and, if not treated, would probably be fatal within a few months.21
 

AML is one of the most common types of leukaemia in adults, but it’s still rare.22 The global incidence of AML increased from 79,372 in 1990 to 144,645 in 2021. However, the age standardized incidence rate (ASIR) decreased from 1.77 per 100,000 persons in 1990 to 1.73 per 100,000 population in 2021. The 5-year relative survival rate for adults with AML is only 32.9% in the United States.24,25 AML is most common in people aged 65 years and older, however, overall cure rates are significantly lower for patients over the age of 60 (5-15%) versus patients under 60 (35-40%).26  Patients with AML whose disease is refractory to or relapses after induction chemotherapy have a dismal prognosis with standard chemotherapy.27

Keep exploring

A scientist drops liquid into a petri dish under a microscope, advancing Astellas' R&D for innovative, patient-centered therapies.

R&D: Primary focuses

Through our research and development programs in Immuno-Oncology and Targeted Protein Degradation, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for cancer patients. Learn more about our Primary Focuses.

A patient surrounded by loved ones shows Astellas’ focus on improving quality of life with real-world treatment impact.

Patient centricity

We support the development of innovative health solutions through a deep understanding of the patient experience, real-world evidence, medical needs and behavioral drivers of care. Learn more about how we are mobilizing teams across Astellas to improve patient outcomes.

A group of healthcare professionals in discussion, highlighting Astellas’ commitment to collaborative, patient-focused care.

Healthcare professionals

We invite healthcare professionals to visit our HCP portal, where you will find valuable information and resources that reflect our commitment to collaboration and addressing unmet medical needs.