Research at MD Anderson
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Research fuels our mission to end cancer
Many of the greatest minds in cancer research are at MD Anderson. They're here because MD Anderson offers a unique environment that accelerates their ability to end cancer. They collaborate with other cancer experts – in different research areas and with the world's leading cancer doctors. Bright students and trainees contribute further to our dynamic research environment. Discoveries are fueled by vast research support and resources. Tomorrow's medicine is available to our patients first since we have the most cancer clinical trials in the world. These research efforts work in parallel to fight cancer through prevention, early diagnosis, effective therapies and scientific breakthroughs.
FY21 Research Quick Facts
195
patents awarded to MD Anderson
1,600
clinical trials
$1B+
invested in research
MD Anderson's FY21 annual report highlights the impactful research being conducted here, as well as how the organization is continuing its forward momentum in 2022 and beyond.
View more MD Anderson quick facts
NIH Funding
MD Anderson's research and training are aided by more than $168 million in NIH grant funding, which helps power our mission to end cancer.
View our NIH award summaryDepartments, Labs and Institutes
MD Anderson has many parts, including departments, labs and institutes, but the sum of those parts is ending cancer. MD Anderson's reach is comprehensive when it comes to eliminating cancer.
Research Areas
Since 1941, MD Anderson has been home to some of the brightest minds across a variety of cancer research areas.
Resources
MD Anderson provides research tools and resources to fuel the discoveries of our scientists.
Moon Shots Program
Inspired by an unprecedented era of scientific discovery a generation ago, the Moon Shots Program® was launched by MD Anderson as an ambitious plan to make a giant leap in cancer research to benefit patients.
Learn more about the Moon Shots ProgramResearch Highlights
Leaps of faith
Gold nanoparticles
MUSIC approach
Lymphoma treatment
Presurgical FOLFIRINOX
Deconvolution tool
ASCO 2022
Pralsetinib study
How collaboration drives MD Anderson research
Immunology researcher Michael Curran, Ph.D., credits MD Anderson's collaborative culture with allowing his lab's discoveries to reach patients faster. Curran's lab has already seen several of its discoveries studied in clinical trials, and Curran worked with clinical colleagues on an upcoming trial examining ways to make radiation therapy a better activator of the immune system.
"Here, when you find a colleague with a similar interest, the instinct is to work together. We combine forces. I’ve had some great experiences with 50/50-type projects that would’ve been hard to accomplish alone," Curran says.