The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (for short, UT MD Anderson) is a comprehensive cancer center and autonomous university of the University of Texas System in Houston, Texas, United States. It is the largest cancer center in the world and one of the original three NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country. It is both a degree-granting academic institution and a cancer treatment and research center located within the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center and life sciences destination in the world. As of 2023, MD Anderson Cancer Center is home to the highest number of cancer clinical trials in the world and has received more NCI-funded projects than any other U.S. institute. For 2024, Newsweek placed MD Anderson at #1 in their annual list of the World's Best Specialized Hospitals in oncology.
History The cancer center is named after Monroe Dunaway Anderson, who feared that in the event of one of the partners' deaths, his cotton trading company would lose a large amount of money to estate tax and be forced to dissolve. To avoid this, Anderson created the MD Anderson Foundation with an initial sum of $300,000. In 1939, after Anderson's death, the foundation received $19 million.
In 1941, the Texas Legislature had appropriated $500,000 to build a cancer hospital and research center. The Anderson Foundation agreed to match funds with the state if the hospital were located in Houston in the Texas Medical Center (another project of the Anderson Foundation) and named after Anderson.
Since 1945 the Texas Medical Center was formed largely due to the efforts of the M.D. Anderson Foundation, which provided significant financial support and land. This initiative, coupled with the establishment of the M.D. Anderson Hospital for Cancer Research, laid the groundwork for what would become the largest medical center in the world.
Using surplus World War II Army barracks, the hospital operated for 10 years from a converted residence and 46 beds leased in a Houston hospital before moving to its current location in Texas Medical Center in 1954. This move allowed for significant expansion and the development of state-of-the-art facilities. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the center continued to expand its research capabilities and patient care services.
In 2015, the university was placed on a censure list issued by the American Association of University Professors for denying tenure to two professors. As part of the investigative process, the university questioned the AAUP's credentials and their ability to adjudicate tenure disputes.
Organization Status MD Anderson Cancer Center is part of the University of Texas System, and is managed as a non-profit. However, it also has for-profit agreements.
Education and training MD Anderson enjoys independent university status within the University of Texas System by providing postdoctoral fellowships, medical internship, and residency. These programs are designed for Ph.D., M.D., or M.D./Ph.D holders and medical professionals in basic and translational sciences and clinical practice, aiming to train the next generation of scientists and medical professionals in cancer care and research. MD Anderson offers a vast number of medical residency and fellowship programs across a comprehensive range of specialties in cancer treatment, diagnostics, and complex surgery. The institution offers M.S., Ph.D.s and dual M.D./Ph.D. degrees to students enrolled in The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, which it operates with McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). Areas of study include biochemistry and cell biology, cancer biology, genetics and epigenetics, immunology, medical physics, microbiology and infectious diseases, neuroscience, quantitative sciences, and therapeutics and pharmacology. Additionally, the institution offers bachelor's and master's degrees to students enrolled in The UT MD Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions. Areas of study include clinical laboratory science, cytogenetic technology, cytotechnology, diagnostic imaging, diagnostic medical sonography, healthcare disparities, diversity and advocacy, histotechnology, medical dosimetry, molecular genetic technology, diagnostic genetics, radiological sciences and radiation therapy.
Recognition In addition to its No. 1 ranking in cancer care by U.S. News & World Report, the cancer center ranks first in the number of National Cancer Institute grants and invested $1.2 billion in research in FY 2023. The cancer center also has received Magnet Nursing recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has consistently ranked as the world's #1 hospital in oncology care and research. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has been ranked #1 in cancer care by U.S. News & World Report for the 2024-2025 period. This ranking marks the tenth consecutive year that MD Anderson has achieved the top position, maintaining its leading status since 2014.
In May 1996, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) established the Collaborating Center for Supportive Cancer Care at the Pain Research Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The terms of reference engage the MD Anderson Center in the development of palliative care programs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.De Lima L1, Bruera E.The Pan American Health Organization: its structure and role in the development of a palliative care program for Latin America and the Caribbean.J Symptom Manage 2000 Dec;20(6):440-8.
Presidents MD Anderson has had five full-time presidents in its history: R. Lee Clark, M.D. (1946–1978) Charles LeMaistre, M.D. (1978–1996) John Mendelsohn, M.D. (1996–2011) Ronald DePinho, M.D. (2011–2017) Peter W. T. Pisters, M.D. (2017–present)
Locations and campuses
Texas Medical Center (TMC) in Houston, Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Center is located at the Texas Medical Center, a "Medical Mini-City" in Houston, Texas."Locations." University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Retrieved on April 4, 2010. The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical center and life sciences hub in the world with one of the highest densities of clinical facilities for patient care, basic science, and translational research.
The MD Anderson campus is divided into the North Campus, Mid Campus and South Campus."New Construction." University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. December 20, 2005. Retrieved on April 4, 2010. The North Campus includes: The Main Building, which comprises Alkek Hospital,"MD Anderson to Expand 12-Story Alkek Hospital " Bates-Freeman Building, Clark Clinic, Gimbel Building, Jones Research Building, LeMaistre Clinic, Love Clinic and Lutheran Hospital Pavilion. Other facilities on this campus are the Dan L. Duncan Building, Clinical Research Building, Faculty Center, Mays Clinic, Mitchell Basic Sciences Research Building, Pickens Academic Tower, Radiology Outpatient Center and Rotary House International. The T. Boone Pickens Academic Tower, a 21-story, building, which opened in 2008, is named after T. Boone Pickens, who donated to the cancer center. It houses classrooms, conference facilities, and executive and faculty offices.DeStefano, DeDe. "$50 Million Gift Sets Record for M. D. Anderson ." Conquest at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Summer (northern hemisphere) 2007. Retrieved on April 4, 2010.
The South Campus is home to the McCombs Institute for the Early Detection and Treatment of Cancer,"McCombs Institute" which includes seven translational research centers focused on genomics, proteomics, screening, diagnostic imaging and drug development. The Mid Campus building, a 25-story building to support current office space and future growth needs, opened in 2011.
The MD Anderson Cancer Center's Houston campus houses multiple specialized institutes that enhance its comprehensive approach to cancer care. These include the James P. Allison Institute, dedicated to advancing immunotherapy; the Duncan Family Institute for Cancer Prevention and Risk Assessment, focusing on cancer prevention and risk analysis; the Institute for Applied Cancer Science, which drives the translation of scientific discoveries into new therapies; the Institute for Cancer Care Innovation, aimed at improving cancer care delivery and outcomes; the Institute for Data Science in Oncology, leveraging big data for cancer research; and the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, which tailors treatments to individual patients based on genetic and molecular profiling.
In 2023, MD Anderson Cancer Center broke ground on a new 600,000-square-foot facility in the Helix Park of the Texas Medical Center (TMC) to serve as the centerpiece of the institution's large south campus research park. This building will house several of MD Anderson's strategic research programs, including the newly established James P. Allison Institute. The TMC3 Collaborative Building in the Helix Park will also host commercial life sciences companies, industry leaders, and TMC Venture Fund.
MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the four founding institutions of the Helix Park campus of Texas Medical Center (TMC). At the TMC Helix Park campus, healthcare professionals, academics, and business leaders collaborate to develop new medicines, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health platforms, and treatment solutions. This accelerates the discovery and delivery of life-changing advancements. The TMC3 Helix Park hotel provides accommodations for life science researchers, industry executives, and venture capitalists, contributing to Houston's ambition to become a global leader in life sciences and human health. TMC Helix Park aims to make a $5.4 billion economic impact.
MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital is the pediatric unit of the MD Anderson Cancer Center system. The hospital treats infants, children, teens, and young adults even up to age 29 through their AYA cancer program. MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital is located on the 9th floor of the main building at the Texas Medical Center, Houston campus.
MD Anderson Cancer Center Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy In 2011, the President of the United Arab Emirates donated $150 million to MD Anderson Cancer Center. The donation was to start The MD Anderson Cancer Center Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy. This gift was in honor of the UAE president's father, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who led the UAE for over thirty years until his death in 2004. The institute focuses on research and clinical trials where doctors use a patient's tumor biopsy to find abnormal genes. They then choose treatments that target those specific genes to fight cancer. The MD Anderson Zayed Building for Personalized Cancer Care is located on the MD Anderson Cancer Center campus in Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas. The MD Anderson Cancer Center also includes the Khalifa Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy and the Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Emiratis can benefit from the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation's scholarship program to pursue fellowships, residency programs, postgraduate studies, and observerships at the center. Khalifa Scholars are chosen from faculty-level physicians and researchers at MD Anderson. They receive financial support equivalent to one to two years' salary to help with their independent research projects. The Zayed Building received 2016 R&D Magazine Lab of the Year Award.
James P. Allison Institute at MD Anderson Cancer Center