Blood cancer
Driven by discovery,
guided by compassion
Pfizer is working to advance research, drive innovation, and support the unique needs of patients living with blood cancers. Together, we can redefine what’s possible.
We’re moving ahead but are far from finished
The number of people living with blood cancer is going up, in part due to a growing and aging U.S. population. Meanwhile, breakthroughs like bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates are helping to potentially improve outcomes. At Pfizer, we know there's more we can do. We are aiming to improve the lives of people impacted by blood cancer with the latest resources, information, and support.
- Every
3 min
a person in the U.S. learns they have leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma - Up to
15
Pfizer clinical trials are ongoing for blood cancer - More than
2X
increase in leukemia survival rates from 1975 to 2019 - Over
1.5 million
people in the US are living with or in remission from blood cancer
A focus on blood cancer
Nearly 200,000 cases of blood cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2024. At Pfizer, we focus on all the main types of blood cancer—leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma—by providing information, resources, and targeted treatments for patients.
Learn more about the blood cancers we treat.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in cells that are a part of the body’s immune system. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In 2024, an estimated nearly 90,000 new cases of lymphoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. Due to improvements in medicines, the survival rate has been increasing both for Hodgkin lymphoma and NHL.
Pfizer offers a targeted antibody drug conjugate (ADC) medicine for certain types of lymphoma, including Hodgkin lymphoma.
Leukemia is a broad term for blood cancer. Leukemia causes the bone marrow to produce large amounts of abnormal blood cells, which make it hard for healthy cells to do their jobs. There are several types of leukemia, which are classified based mainly on whether the leukemia is acute (fast growing) or chronic (slower growing), and whether it starts in myeloid cells or lymphoid cells. In 2024, an estimated over 60,000 new cases of leukemia will be diagnosed in the U.S. Different types of leukemia have different treatment options and outlooks, but survival is increasing every year.
Pfizer has a robust selection of blood cancer medicines, including several approved medicines that treat a range of leukemia types in special need of treatment. We are also investigating a number of medicines in early development that may have the potential to treat certain types of leukemia and other blood cancers.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a blood cancer that affects cells made in the bone marrow, specifically plasma cells, that are an important part of the body’s immune system. More than 35,000 people are diagnosed with MM in the U.S. every year, making it the second most common type of blood cancer. Currently there is no cure for MM, leaving a difficult journey ahead for the people impacted by MM. An additional challenge is that MM is likely to progress quicker after each line of treatment.
Pfizer has an approved bispecific medicine to treat advanced MM that is no longer responding to previous medicines. We are continuing to study how it may help people with other stages of MM, including earlier stages. New medicines are also being explored to provide effective options when other medicines no longer work.
Science with purpose, people who care
Learn about multiple myeloma and its risk factors
Being over 50 is not the only risk factor for multiple myeloma. Find out what else might put you at higher risk, including exposure to certain chemicals.
How fast does leukemia progress?
Find out the difference between acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Learn what it means for the speed of blood cancer progression.
Taking care of mental health after a blood cancer diagnosis
It’s not easy when a diagnosis of blood cancer is given to you or a loved one. Find out what you can do about feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation.
A call for change to improve health equity
We’re addressing health disparities so people with blood cancer can benefit from these breakthroughs
Black and Hispanic patients with lymphomas were significantly underrepresented in clinical trials between 2011 and 2021
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia has a higher incidence and worse overall survival in the Hispanic population
Multiple myeloma is twice as common—and twice as deadly—for Black patients compared to white
Black and Hispanic people have a higher mortality rate from acute leukemia cases than non-Hispanic white people
Expanding access & empowering lives
Support that lights the way
Light the Night is a series of fundraising campaigns by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) that help ensure access to treatments for all blood cancer patients.
Truth be told
Multiple Myeloma Told True is a Pfizer initiative to support and advocate for people living with multiple myeloma.
Striving for deeper understanding
We're proud to partner with the HealthTree Foundation, which advances health equity for patients with blood cancer.
Promoting a better tomorrow
Pfizer collaborates with the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation to address racial and clinical disparities.
Sharing strength & support
Multiple Myeloma Told True pairs real people with multiple myeloma with artists to bring their unique stories to life. Hear Oya tell Jae, a spoken word artist, about the challenges he faced—and how he was able to overcome them.
Resources & community
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support.
Lymphoma Research Foundation
Funding the research, education, screening, and treatment needed to eradicate lymphoma.
International Myeloma Foundation
Dedicated to improving the quality of life for myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure.
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
The largest nonprofit of its kind in the world solely focused on accelerating a cure for each and every multiple myeloma patient.