Research
Accelerating Progress through Diversity and Speed in Clinical Trial Accrual
Our network connects leading hospitals and health systems across the country through a coordinated clinical and research framework, enabling broad access to world‑class cancer care and innovative clinical research.
Our network of partners offers:
- Strong oncology programs, dedicated research staff and the infrastructure needed to conduct groundbreaking multicenter studies
- Ability to capture more early-stage disease, rare tumor types and to reach more patients, enabling discoveries that are more relevant to the populations impacted by the disease
About us
Partner institutions work strategically through our program to activate multicenter clinical trials that are scientifically rigorous, financially sustainable and aligned with the needs of local patient populations.
Each partner institution brings unique strengths and aligns clinically and operationally with UT MD Anderson, applying the same treatment approaches, protocols and practice standards set by UT MD Anderson.
Through this integration, patients benefit from a diverse range of research options—close to home.
Joint projects have opened, completed accrual and published quickly with excellent data quality and protocol compliance.
To streamline and accelerate study startup, a clinical trials agreements solution is in place to enable one single contract and one budget to simultaneously activate sponsored trials at UT MD Anderson in Houston and at our partner locations.
Together, we have a proven record to accelerate clinical trial accrual and new discoveries.
Partners
Our network combines the strengths of multiple institutions into a cohesive whole. See a listing of our current partner sites.
Impact & publications
The research trial pipeline is continually expanding, with new trials and site activations ongoing.
Recent network studies have launched more efficiently as a result of coordinated planning, clear communication and early identification of operational needs. The research environment is built for scale, speed and scientific excellence.
This integrated model grounded in UT MD Anderson’s scientific leadership and operational expertise supports faster decision‑making, improved trial readiness and more efficient enrollment.
Browse peer-reviewed publications and media highlighting results from trials in our network.
Our network by the numbers
- Seven high-performing partner institutions with 37,000 cases. Comprehensive, dedicated facilities are equipped and ready to conduct multicenter trials
- More than 800 actively engaged physicians across oven 60 participating locations: Greater access to treatment-naive patients and broader access to rare tumor types
- 5,000+ patients participated in nearly 30 UT MD Anderson-led research projects since 2017. Variety of populations enrolled with black, Hispanic, and female participation. Greater age distribution of participants.
Trusted Operations Support
Research in our network represents a productive engagement between partners and UT MD Anderson in Houston. The approach centers on managing a site-relevant, treatment-focused trial portfolio.
Site investigators and study teams receive programmatic support from our faculty-led, experienced, and dedicated team based at UT MD Anderson in Houston with a focus on:
- Scientifically -focused disease working groups to advance the most high-impact trials across multiple specialties
- Partner trial referral to improve local research access
- Educational opportunities to enhance innovation
- Partner collaborative meetings for making long-lasting connections
- Advisory services for strategic program growth, and more
For more information for research sponsors or to collaborate with the network, please contact CancerNetworkResearch@mdanderson.org.
UT MD Anderson PIs endorsing network collaboration
Extending Reach
“Together, our work [through our network] aligns with UT MD Anderson’s strategic plan, extending the reach of my clinical trial and facilitating breakthroughs from the knowledge gained from my practice-changing trial.”
Benjamin Smith, M.D.
Professor, Breast Radiation Oncology, UT MD Anderson
Accelerating Accrual
“Because of our cancer network’s involvement, trials reach accrual more quickly ensuring much needed high-quality results sooner for patients with breast cancer.”
Henry Kuerer, M.D., Ph.D., FACS
Professor, Breast Surgical Oncology, UT MD Anderson
Advancing Breakthroughs
“I believe our cancer network research program brings hope by helping discoveries reach patients sooner and giving more people access to promising new anticancer treatments through clinical trials.”
Ecaterina Dumbrava, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, UT MD Anderson
Published Trials in Our Network
About our publications
Last updated July 2026
Browse publications and media highlighting results from the 16 published trials in our network.
Listed authors include UT MD Anderson lead principal investigator if author, first author if different from UT MD Anderson lead principal investigator, and authors representing all sites in the network at the time of the study.
Peer-reviewed articles: trials conducted in our network
DISEASE SITE: COLORECTAL
MiRDA - clinicaltrials.gov page: NCT04739072
Minimal residual disease assessment in colorectal cancer (MiRDA-C)
Dasari, Arvind; Acoba, Jared David; Dragovich, Tomislav; Zaiden, Robert Anthony, et al.
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2022, Vol.40 (4_suppl), p.TPS236-TPS236
DISEASE SITE: BREAST
Exceptional Responders - NCT02945579
Selective Elimination of Breast Surgery for Invasive Breast Cancer: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial
Kuerer, Henry M, et al.
JAMA Oncology, 2025-03
Patient-Reported Outcomes of Omission of Breast Surgery Following Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial
Johnson, Helen M.; Kuerer, Henry M, et al.
JAMA Network Open, 2023-09, Vol.6 (9), p.e2333933
Eliminating Breast Surgery for Invasive Cancer with Exceptional Response to Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy: Prospective Multicenter Clinical Trial Planned Initial Feasibility Endpoint
Johnson, Helen M; Kuerer, Henry M, et al.
Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 2023-07, Vol.237 (1), p.101-108
Eliminating breast surgery for invasive breast cancer in exceptional responders to neoadjuvant systemic therapy: a multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 trial
Kuerer, Henry M; Samiian, Laila; Lesnikoski, Beth-Ann; Chong, Clayton; Loveland-Jones, Catherine, et al.
The Lancet Oncology, 2022, Vol.23 (12), p.1517-1524
Financial Toxicity - NCT04592250
Financial toxicity in breast cancer patients receiving regional nodal irradiation: Variation by cancer subtype
Smith, Grace L., et al.
Breast (Edinburgh), 2024-12, Vol.78, p.103813-103813, Article 103813
OPAL I – NCT03077841
Optimizing Preventive Adjuvant Linac-Based (OPAL) Radiation: A Phase 2 Trial of Daily Partial Breast Irradiation
Reddy, Jay P.; Smith, Benjamin D.; Weed, Daniel W; Anderson, Cynthia, et al.
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 2023, Vol.115 (3), p.629-644
Registry - Axillary Nodal Metastases
Evaluation of traditional targeted axillary dissection eligibility criteria for node-positive breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a prospective multicenter registry
Loveland-Jones, Catherine; Murphy, Brittany; Samiian, Laila; Byrum, Stephanie; Kuerer, Henry, et al.
European Journal of Surgical Oncology, 2024-04, Vol.50 (4), p.108245-108245, Article 108245
SAPHIRe - NCT02912312
Primary Outcome Analysis for Shortening Adjuvant Photon Irradiation to Reduce Edema (SAPHIRE): A Randomized, Phase III Trial of Hypo- vs. Conventionally Fractionated Regional Nodal Irradiation (RNI)
Hoffman, K.E., et al.
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 2024-10, Vol.120 (2), p.S14-S15
DISEASE SITE: HEAD & NECK
3D Stent - NCT06898021
Response to recent comments on “Development and clinical implementation of a digital workflow utilizing 3D-printed oral stents for patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy”
Tino, Rance B.; Mezera, Megan; Mann, Justin M.; Augspurger, Mark; Lee, Anna, et al.
Oral Oncology, 2025-03, Vol.162, p.107220-107220, Article 107220
Development and clinical implementation of a digital workflow utilizing 3D-printed oral stents for patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy
Tino, Rance B.; Mezera, Megan; Mann, Justin M.; Augspurger, Mark; Koay, Eugene; Lee, Anna, et al.
Oral Oncology, 2024-10, Vol.157, p.106944-106944, Article 106944
DISEASE SITE: LUNG
LEAP
The LEAP Study: A Multicenter Biospecimen and Imaging Resource for Lung Cancer Screening
Dennison, Jennifer B.; Godoy, Myrna C.B.; Michael; Grainger, Andrew; Shersher, Putnam, Joe B., et al.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 2025-11, Vol.35 (1), p.39
PACIFIC-4 - NCT03833154
Phase 3 study of durvalumab with SBRT for unresected stage I/II, lymph-node negative NSCLC (PACIFIC-4/RTOG3515)
Robertson, Clifford; Lin, Steven H, et al.
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2023 41:16_suppl, TPS8607-TPS8607
VESPA
Ventilatory Strategy to Prevent Atelectasis During Bronchoscopy Under General Anesthesia: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (Ventilatory Strategy to Prevent Atelectasis -VESPA- Trial)
Salahuddin, Moiz; Sagar, Ala-Eddin S; Casal, Roberto F, et al.
Chest, 2022, Vol.162 (6), p.1393-1401
DISEASE SITE: PROSTATE
EXTEND - NCT03599765
Continuous Androgen Deprivation Therapy with or Without Metastasis-directed Therapy for Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer: The Multicenter Phase 2 Randomized EXTEND Trial
Sherry, Alexander D.; Tang, Chad; Ha, Chul S., et al.
European Urology, 2025-11, Vol.88 (5), p.496-509
Integrating systemic therapy and metastasis-directed therapy in oligometastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer
Shi, Xiaolei; Tang, Chad, et al.
Prostate Cancer And Prostatic Diseases, 2025-10
Adding Metastasis-Directed Therapy to Standard-of-Care Systemic Therapy for Oligometastatic Breast Cancer (EXTEND): A Multicenter, Randomized Phase 2 Trial
Reddy, Jay P.; Weed, Daniel; Tang, Chad, et al.
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 2025-03, Vol.121 (4), p.885-893
Metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for oligometastatic prostate cancer (omPC): Primary results of the EXTEND continuous ADT (cADT) basket plus combined analysis with the updated intermittent ADT (iADT) basket and immune correlatives
Haymaker, Cara L; Tang, Chad, et al.
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2025-02, Vol.43 (5_suppl), p.140-140
Addition of Metastasis-Directed Therapy to Systemic Therapy for Oligometastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (EXTEND): A Multicenter, Randomized Phase II Trial
Ludmir, Ethan B.; Tang, Chad, et al.
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2024-08, p.JCO2400081
Addition of Metastasis-Directed Therapy to Intermittent Hormone Therapy for Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer: The EXTEND Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trialv
Tang, Chad, et al.
JAMA Oncol. 2023 Jun 1;9(6):825-834. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.0161.
Definitive Local Consolidative Therapy for Oligometastatic Solid Tumors: Results From the Lead-in Phase of the Randomized Basket Trial EXTEND
Sherry, Alexander D.; Tang, Chad, et al.
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 2022, Vol.114 (5), p.910-918
DISEASE SITE: UTERINE
LEVER - NCT02397083
LEVER: Phase II Trial of Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Device Alone or in Combination with the Mtorc1 Inhibitor Everolimus for the Treatment of Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia and Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer
Reddy, Ravali; Westin, Shannon, Warshal, David; Clements, Aine; Soliman, Pamela, et al.
International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 2025-11, Vol.35 (11), p.102141, Article 102141
Prospective phase II trial of levonorgestrel intrauterine device: nonsurgical approach for complex atypical hyperplasia and early-stage endometrial cancer
Westin, Shannon N.; Fellman, Bryan; Sun, Charlotte C.; Broaddus, Russell R.; Woodall, Misty L.; Pal, Navdeep; Urbauer, Diana L.; Ramondetta, Lois M.; Schmeler, Kathleen M.; Soliman, Pamela T.; Fleming, Nicole D.; Burzawa, Jennifer K.; Nick, Alpa M.; Milbourne, Andrea M.; Yuan, Ying; Lu, Karen H.; Bodurka, Diane C.; Coleman, Robert L.; Yates, Melinda S.
American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2021-02, Vol.224 (2), p.191.e1-191.e15
DISEASE SITE: BREAST, OVARIAN, COLORECTAL
Genetic Test Result Variants
A multicenter study of clinical impact of variant of uncertain significance reclassification in breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer susceptibility genes
Makhnoon, Sukh; Samiian, Laila; Grana, Generosa; Grainger, Andrew; Peterson, Susan K., et al.
Cancer Medicine (Malden, MA), 2023, Vol.12 (3), p.2875-2884
A multicenter study of clinical impact of variant of uncertain significance reclassification in breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer susceptibility genes
Makhnoon, Sukh; Samiian, Laila; Grana, Generosa; Grainger, Andrew V.; Peterson, Susan K., et al.
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2022-06, Vol.40 (16_suppl), p.10512-10512
PHASE 1 CLINICAL TRIALS
TAPUR - NCT02693535
Olaparib in Patients With Solid Tumors With BRCA1/2 Alterations: Results From The Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) Study
Al Baghdadi, Meric-Bernstam, Funda, et al.
JCO Precision Oncology, 2025-10, Vol.9 (9), p.e2500649, Article e2500649
943P Atezolizumab plus Talazoparib (A+T) in patients (pts) with solid tumors with BRCA1/2 alterations (alt): Results from the Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) study
Hall, M.J.; Rothe, Meric-Bernstam, F., et al.
Annals of Oncology, 2025-09, Vol.36, p.S617-S618
Palbociclib in Patients With Soft Tissue Sarcoma With CDK4 Amplifications: Results From the Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry Study
Schuetze, Scott; Meric-Bernstam, Funda, et al.
JCO Precision Oncology, 2024-07, Vol.8 (8), p.e2400219
Nivolumab plus ipilimumab (N+I) in patients (pts) with solid tumors with high tumor mutational burden (HTMB): Results from the Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) Study
Chan, John K; Meric-Bernstam, Funda, et al.
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2024-06, Vol.42 (16_suppl), p.3130-3130
207P Palbociclib (P) in patients (pts) with solid tumors with CDK4 or CDK6 amplification (amp): Results from the Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) study
Khalil, M.F.; Meric-Bernstam, F., et al.
Annals of Oncology, 2023-10, Vol.34, p.S265-S266
Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab in Patients With Solid Tumors With ATM Mutations: Results From the Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) Study
Rohatgi, Nitin; Meric-Bernstam, Funda, et al.
JCO Precision Oncology, 2023-09, Vol.7 (7), p.e2300279
Cobimetinib Plus Vemurafenib in Patients With Solid Tumors With BRAF Mutations: Results From the Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry Study
Meric-Bernstam, Funda, et al.
JCO Precision Oncology, 2023-09, Vol.7 (7), p.e2300385
Pertuzumab Plus Trastuzumab in Patients With Colorectal Cancer With ERBB2 Amplification or ERBB2/3 Mutations: Results From the TAPUR Study
Gupta, Ranju; Meric-Bernstam, Funda, et al.
JCO Precision Oncology, 2022-10, Vol.6 (6), p.e2200306
98P Olaparib (O) in patients (pts) with solid tumors with BRCA1/2 mutation (mut): Results from the targeted agent and profiling utilization registry (TAPUR) study
Ahn, E.; Meric-Bernstam, F., et al.
Annals of Oncology, 2022-09, Vol.33, p.S583-S584
Cobimetinib plus vemurafenib (C+V) in patients (Pts) with solid tumors with BRAF V600E/d/k/R mutation: Results from the targeted agent and profiling utilization registry (TAPUR) study
Meric-Bernstam, Funda, et al.
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2022-06, Vol.40 (16_suppl), p.3008-3008
Palbociclib (P) in patients (pts) with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) with CDK4 amplification: Results from the Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) study
Schuetze, Scott; Meric-Bernstam, Funda, et al.
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2021-05, Vol.39 (15_suppl), p.11565-11565
CANCER AND COVID
International multicenter study comparing COVID-19 in patients with cancer to patients without cancer: Impact of risk factors and treatment modalities on survivorship
Issam I Raad, Bilal Siddiqui, Robert Somer, Edward Gorak, Arvinder Bhinder, Samuel Shelanski, Tomislav Dragovich, et al.
eLife, 2023, 12:e81127
Other network contributions
PEER REVIEWED SUMMARIES AT ANNUAL MEETINGS
EXTEND
Disease site: Prostate
2022 ASTRO annual meeting
Gourd, Katherine
The Lancet, Oncology, 2022, Vol.23 (12), p.1490-1491.
Page 1491, Metastasis-directed therapy EXTENDs progression-free survival, results presented by Chad Tang
NEWS RELEASES
3D Stent
Disease site: Head and Neck
Kallisio Patient-tailored Oral Stent for Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) Treatment Receives FDA Clearance
BioSpace, Jan 18, 2024
EXTEND
Disease site: Prostate
Radiation-hormone therapy combination may slow growth of oligometastatic prostate cancer
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) StaffASTRO targeting cancer care, 2022
ASTRO 2022: Addition of Metastasis-Directed Therapy to Intermittent Hormone Therapy for Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer (EXTEND): A Multicenter, Randomized Phase II Trial
UroToday
Sayyid, Rashid during 2022 American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASCO) annual hybrid meeting, San Antonio, TX, Sat, Oct 22 – Wed, Oct 26, 2022
EXTEND Trial: Metastasis-Directed Radiation Therapy Plus Hormone Therapy May Improve Progression-Free Survival in Patients With Advanced Prostate Cancer
The American Society of clinical oncology, inc. (ASCO®) post staff
The ASCO Post, 2022
POSTERS AND SLIDES
SAPHIRe
Disease site: Breast
Abstract PS6-02: Association of VMAT versus 3D-CRT Radiotherapy Treatment Technique with Acute Toxicity of Regional Nodal Irradiation: A Secondary Analysis of the SAPHIRe Phase III Randomized Clinical Trial
Goodman, Chelain; Hoffman, Karen E., et al.
Clinical Cancer Research, 2025-06, Vol.31 (12_Supplement), p.PS6-02-PS6-02
AxDev
Disease site: Lung and Thyroid
Optimizing Precision Medicine for Patients With Lung and Thyroid Cancer: Guidance for the Multidisciplinary Team
Subbiah, V, et al.
Slides from interdisciplinary workshop, released Nov 16, 2023
TAPUR
Disease area: Phase I
Abstract CT226: Sunitinib (S) in patients (pts) with solid tumors with FGFR2 alterations: Results from the Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) Study
Srkalovic, Gordan; Meric-Bernstam, Funda; et al.
Cancer Research (Chicago, Ill.), 2025-04, Vol.85 (8_Supplement_2), p.CT226-CT226
Abstract CT110: Olaparib (O) in patients (pts) with solid tumors with ATM mutation or deletion: Results from the Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) Study
Mileham, Kathryn F.; Meric-Bernstam, Funda, et al.
Cancer Research (Chicago, Ill.), 2022-06, Vol.82 (12_Supplement), p.CT110-CT110
UT MD ANDERSON INVESTIGATOR VIDEOS
EXTEND
Prostate
Dr. Tang on EXTEND trial in oligometastatic prostate cancer
Tang, Chad
Video, Urology Times, 2023
About the EXTEND trial of patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer
Tang, Chad
Video, Targeted Oncology, 2022
ASTRO 2022 | EXTEND: Combination therapy for oligometastatic prostate cancer
Tang, Chad
Video, The Video Journal of Oncology, 2022
LAY PRESS
Exceptional Responders
Breast
Rabin, Roni Caryn. Some Breast Cancer Patients Could Skip Surgery, Study Suggests: In a small trial, chemotherapy alone was sufficient to treat women with certain kinds of tumors. New York Times, Oct 25, 2022.
PEER REVIEWED ARTICLES - TRIALS WITH RELATED NETWORK COLLABORATION
Disease site: Hematologic
North American Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm Consortium: position on standards of care and areas of need
Pemmaraju, Naveen, et al.
Blood, 2023-02, Vol.141 (6), p.567-578