# MD Anderson Cancer Center

Source: https://onco.cc/institutions/md-anderson/  
OnCo record `md-anderson` (Institution). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

MD Anderson is the largest cancer centre in the world by patient volume, with the biggest phase 1 programme and a leading CAR-NK effort.

## Summary

MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, part of the University of Texas and founded in 1941, is the largest cancer centre in the world by patient volume and holds NCI comprehensive designation and second place in the Newsweek/Statista oncology ranking. It runs the biggest early-phase trial unit anywhere, the Moon Shots programme, a proton therapy centre and a leading CAR-NK effort with Takeda, and its breast group under Symmans defined the Residual Cancer Burden index used to grade response after neoadjuvant treatment. OnCo links it to LACC in cervical cancer and the ROAR anaplastic thyroid cohort, to work on the gut microbiome and dietary fibre in immunotherapy response, and to pathways from cancer neuroscience to cachexia. Whether its scale translates into faster answers than smaller centres remains a fair question. The people listed here show who leads which programme.

## Fields

- Kind: Institution
- Last checked: 2026-09-04
- City: Houston, US
- Type: cancer-center
- NCI designation: comprehensive
- Website: https://www.mdanderson.org

## Sources

- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MD_Anderson_Cancer_Center
- Official website: https://www.mdanderson.org
- PTCOG: particle therapy facilities in operation: https://www.ptcog.site/index.php/facilities-in-operation-public

## Connected records

- collections: [Newsweek/Statista World's Best Specialized Hospitals: Oncology](https://onco.cc/collections/newsweek-hospitals/)
- companies: [Alaunos Therapeutics (formerly Ziopharm Oncology)](https://onco.cc/companies/alaunos/), [Break Through Cancer](https://onco.cc/companies/break-through-cancer/), [Hitachi (particle therapy)](https://onco.cc/companies/hitachi/), [Moleculin Biotech](https://onco.cc/companies/moleculin/)
- technologies: [CAR-NK & CAR-macrophage](https://onco.cc/technologies/car-nk-macrophage/), [Dietary fibre and the gut microbiome for immunotherapy response](https://onco.cc/technologies/dietary-fibre-microbiome-io/), [Engineered exosomes as drug carriers](https://onco.cc/technologies/exosome-therapeutics/), [Gamma Knife](https://onco.cc/technologies/gamma-knife/), [MR-guided adaptive radiotherapy](https://onco.cc/technologies/mr-linac/), [Proton therapy](https://onco.cc/technologies/proton-therapy/), [Proton therapy machines: cyclotrons, synchrotrons and single-room systems](https://onco.cc/technologies/proton-therapy-systems/), [Stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife, CyberKnife, linac SRS)](https://onco.cc/technologies/radiosurgery-srs/)
- terms: [Residual cancer burden (RCB)](https://onco.cc/terms/rcb/)
- people: [Albert C. Koong](https://onco.cc/people/albert-koong/), [Anirban Maitra](https://onco.cc/people/anirban-maitra/), [Ashish M. Kamat](https://onco.cc/people/ashish-kamat/), [Christopher R. Flowers](https://onco.cc/people/christopher-flowers/), [Courtney D. DiNardo](https://onco.cc/people/courtney-dinardo/), [David H. Koch](https://onco.cc/people/david-koch/), [David M. Gershenson](https://onco.cc/people/david-gershenson/), [Debu Tripathy](https://onco.cc/people/debu-tripathy/), [Elias Jabbour](https://onco.cc/people/elias-jabbour/), [Emil "Tom" Frei III](https://onco.cc/people/emil-frei/), [Emil J Freireich](https://onco.cc/people/emil-freireich/), [Eric Jonasch](https://onco.cc/people/eric-jonasch/), [Ferdinandos Skoulidis](https://onco.cc/people/ferdinandos-skoulidis/), [Funda Meric-Bernstam](https://onco.cc/people/funda-meric-bernstam/), [Gabriel N. Hortobagyi](https://onco.cc/people/gabriel-hortobagyi/), [Ghayas C. Issa](https://onco.cc/people/ghayas-issa/), [Giulio Draetta](https://onco.cc/people/giulio-draetta/), [Hagop M. Kantarjian](https://onco.cc/people/hagop-kantarjian/), [Hussein A. Tawbi](https://onco.cc/people/hussein-tawbi/), [Jaffer A. Ajani](https://onco.cc/people/jaffer-ajani/), [James C. Yao](https://onco.cc/people/james-yao/), [James P. Allison](https://onco.cc/people/james-allison/), [Jan A. Burger](https://onco.cc/people/jan-burger/), [Jason R. Westin](https://onco.cc/people/jason-westin/), [Jeffrey E. Gershenwald](https://onco.cc/people/jeffrey-gershenwald/), [Jennifer A. Wargo](https://onco.cc/people/jennifer-wargo/), [Jennifer K. Litton](https://onco.cc/people/jennifer-litton/), [Joe Y. Chang](https://onco.cc/people/joe-chang/), [John V. Heymach](https://onco.cc/people/john-heymach/), [Katayoun Rezvani](https://onco.cc/people/katy-rezvani/), [Lei Zheng](https://onco.cc/people/lei-zheng/), [Maria E. Cabanillas](https://onco.cc/people/maria-cabanillas/), [Mariana Chavez-MacGregor](https://onco.cc/people/mariana-chavez-macgregor/), [Maura L. Gillison](https://onco.cc/people/maura-gillison/), [Michael L. Wang](https://onco.cc/people/michael-wang/), [Michael R. Migden](https://onco.cc/people/michael-migden/), [Monroe Dunaway Anderson](https://onco.cc/people/monroe-anderson/), [Naoto T. Ueno](https://onco.cc/people/naoto-ueno/), [Neil D. Gross](https://onco.cc/people/neil-gross/), [Padmanee Sharma](https://onco.cc/people/padmanee-sharma/), [Peter W. T. Pisters](https://onco.cc/people/peter-pisters/), [Rashmi K. Murthy](https://onco.cc/people/rashmi-murthy/), [Sattva S. Neelapu](https://onco.cc/people/sattva-neelapu/), [Scott Kopetz](https://onco.cc/people/scott-kopetz/), [Sean Parker](https://onco.cc/people/sean-parker/), [Shannon N. Westin](https://onco.cc/people/shannon-westin/), [Tina Cascone](https://onco.cc/people/tina-cascone/), [William G. Wierda](https://onco.cc/people/william-wierda/)
- cancers: [Bladder & urothelial cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/urothelial/), [Cervical cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/cervical/), [Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/dlbcl/), [Extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/extensive-stage-sclc/), [Multiple myeloma](https://onco.cc/cancers/multiple-myeloma/), [Renal cell carcinoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/rcc/), [Sarcomas (soft tissue, bone, GIST)](https://onco.cc/cancers/sarcoma/), [Small-cell lung cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/sclc/), [Thyroid cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/thyroid/)
- trials: [ADIUVO-2](https://onco.cc/trials/adiuvo-2/), [Gemcitabine, cisplatin and nab-paclitaxel phase 2 (MD Anderson and Mayo)](https://onco.cc/trials/gap-phase2-mdacc/), [GETUG 13](https://onco.cc/trials/getug-13/), [LACC (Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer)](https://onco.cc/trials/lacc/), [NCI-MATCH (EAY131)](https://onco.cc/trials/nci-match/), [NCI9673](https://onco.cc/trials/nci9673/), [ROAR (anaplastic thyroid cancer cohort)](https://onco.cc/trials/roar-atc/)
- pairings: [BRAF/MEK inhibition → surgery in anaplastic thyroid cancer](https://onco.cc/pairings/braf-mek-neoadjuvant-atc/)
- key papers: [A prospective, multi-institutional, pathologist-based assessment of 4 immunohistochemistry assays for PD-L1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-rimm-pd-l1-assay-comparison-jama-oncol-2017/), [AUGMENT-101: revumenib, the first menin inhibitor, in relapsed leukaemias driven by KMT2A rearrangement or NPM1 mutation](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-augment-101-revumenib-menin-nature-2023/), [Biliary cancer: utility of next-generation sequencing for clinical management](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-javle-biliary-ngs-cancer-2016/), [BREAKWATER: encorafenib plus cetuximab with chemotherapy as first treatment for BRAF V600E-mutated colorectal cancer](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-breakwater-nejm-2025/), [Circulating nucleic acids are associated with outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-bernard-ctdna-exodna-pancreatic-gastroenterology-2019/), [Classifying colorectal cancer by tumor location rather than sidedness highlights a continuum in mutation profiles and consensus molecular subtypes](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-loree-tumour-location-continuum-colorectal-ccr-2018/), [Clinical and pathologic characteristics of patients with BRCA-positive and BRCA-negative breast cancer](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-atchley-brca-status-triple-negative-jco-2008/), [Co-occurring genomic alterations define major subsets of KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma with distinct biology, immune profiles, and therapeutic vulnerabilities](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-skoulidis-kras-co-mutation-subsets-cancer-discov-2015/), [Depletion of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts and fibrosis induces immunosuppression and accelerates pancreas cancer with reduced survival](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-ozdemir-caf-depletion-accelerates-pancreatic-cancer-cancer-cell-2014/), [Diminished efficacy of programmed death-(ligand)1 inhibition in STK11- and KEAP1-mutant lung adenocarcinoma is affected by KRAS mutation status](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-ricciuti-stk11-keap1-kras-immunotherapy-jto-2022/), [INO-VATE: inotuzumab ozogamicin, a CD22 antibody-drug conjugate, versus chemotherapy for relapsed adult B-cell ALL](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-ino-vate-inotuzumab-all-nejm-2016/), [Leach, Krummel and Allison: releasing the CTLA-4 brake makes mice reject tumours](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-leach-allison-ctla4-blockade-science-1996/), [Lead-Time Trajectory of CA19-9 as an Anchor Marker for Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-fahrmann-ca19-9-lead-time-gastroenterology-2021/), [Long-Term Prognostic Risk After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Associated With Residual Cancer Burden and Breast Cancer Subtype](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-symmans-rcb-long-term-prognosis-subtype-jco-2017/), [Molecular subtypes of small cell lung cancer: a synthesis of human and mouse model data](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-rudin-sclc-molecular-subtypes-nat-rev-cancer-2019/), [Nivolumab in patients with metastatic DNA mismatch repair-deficient or microsatellite instability-high colorectal cancer (CheckMate 142)](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-overman-checkmate-142-nivolumab-dmmr-colorectal-lancet-oncol-2017/), [Non-V600 BRAF mutations define a clinically distinct molecular subtype of metastatic colorectal cancer](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-jones-non-v600-braf-colorectal-jco-2017/), [Patterns of transcription factor programs and immune pathway activation define four major subtypes of SCLC with distinct therapeutic vulnerabilities](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-gay-sclc-subtypes-inflamed-cancer-cell-2021/), [Phase II trial of cetuximab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin followed by chemoradiation with cetuximab for locally advanced (T4) pancreatic adenocarcinoma: correlation of Smad4(Dpc4) immunostaining with pattern of disease progression](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-crane-smad4-progression-pattern-locally-advanced-jco-2011/), [Population-Specific Immunogenomic Alterations in Gallbladder Cancer and Prognostic Significance](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-zhu-population-specific-immunogenomics-gallbladder-cancer-mod-pathol-2025/), [RELATIVITY-047: relatlimab plus nivolumab, the first LAG-3 checkpoint combination, in untreated advanced melanoma](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-relativity-047-nejm-2022/), [Response to neoadjuvant therapy and long-term survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-liedtke-neoadjuvant-response-survival-tnbc-jco-2008/), [Tumor location is a strong predictor of tumor progression and survival in T2 gallbladder cancer: an international multicenter study](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-shindoh-t2-gallbladder-cancer-tumour-location-ann-surg-2015/), [Using multiplexed assays of oncogenic drivers in lung cancers to select targeted drugs](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-kris-lung-cancer-mutation-consortium-jama-2014/), [VIALE-A: venetoclax plus azacitidine for older adults with acute myeloid leukaemia who cannot have intensive chemotherapy](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-viale-a-venetoclax-azacitidine-nejm-2020/), [ZUMA-1: axicabtagene ciloleucel for refractory large B-cell lymphoma, the first CAR-T approved for lymphoma](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-zuma-1-axi-cel-nejm-2017/), [ZUMA-2: brexu-cel CAR-T for mantle cell lymphoma that has failed BTK inhibitors](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-zuma-2-brexu-cel-mantle-cell-nejm-2020/)
- roadmaps: [Triple-negative breast cancer roadmap: from a remainder defined by three negative tests to immunotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates and the residual disease problem](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/tnbc-roadmap/)
- institutions: [Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas](https://onco.cc/institutions/cprit/), [Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center](https://onco.cc/institutions/houston-methodist-neal-cancer-center/), [Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center](https://onco.cc/institutions/koo-foundation-sun-yat-sen-cancer-center/), [Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio](https://onco.cc/institutions/mays-cancer-center/), [National Cancer Institute (NIH)](https://onco.cc/institutions/nci/), [National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)](https://onco.cc/institutions/nccn-org/), [Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy](https://onco.cc/institutions/parker-institute/), [The V Foundation for Cancer Research](https://onco.cc/institutions/v-foundation/)
- ideas: [Cut the nerve supply to tumours with old drugs](https://onco.cc/ideas/idea-nerve-tumour-blockade/), [Map metabolic dependencies in the patient, not the dish](https://onco.cc/ideas/idea-metabolic-vulnerability-mapping/), [Microbiome transplant as a routine immunotherapy adjunct](https://onco.cc/ideas/idea-microbiome-io-fmt/), [Randomise a cheap antihistamine alongside immunotherapy](https://onco.cc/ideas/idea-reg-antihistamine-plus-io-trial/), [Test a high-fibre diet as an immunotherapy adjunct](https://onco.cc/ideas/idea-bio2-fibre-diet-io-trial/)
- pathways: [Cancer cachexia](https://onco.cc/pathways/cachexia-biology/), [Cancer metabolism](https://onco.cc/pathways/cancer-metabolism/), [Cancer neuroscience (nerve-tumour signalling)](https://onco.cc/pathways/cancer-neuroscience/), [KEAP1-NRF2 antioxidant pathway](https://onco.cc/pathways/keap1-nrf2/), [Microbiome-tumour interactions](https://onco.cc/pathways/microbiome-tumour/), [Tumour microenvironment (TME)](https://onco.cc/pathways/tumor-microenvironment/)

---
JSON: https://onco.cc/api/v1/entities/md-anderson.json