Research
Our faculty investigators and researchers in Radiation Oncology focus on some of the most innovative discoveries and impactful areas in oncology to help bring quality treatment care options to our patients.
We have a broad-ranging clinical research portfolio of approximately 74 therapeutic trials, many that are supported by federal and state sponsors, industry partners, philanthropy and institutional awards.
Our research areas align with our clinical priorities and expertise, including but not limited to:
- Proton Therapy
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Treatment (SBRT)
- Brachytherapy
- Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery
- Immuno-Radiation Therapy
- Chemo-Radiation Therapy
Radiation Oncology Strategic Initiatives
The MD Anderson Radiation Oncology division faculty leadership have prioritized several key discovery and educational areas to focus, guide and advance translational research toward improving radiation therapies.
This vision is represented in the Radiation Oncology Strategic Initiatives (ROSI), which comprises six pillars: Advanced Imaging, Global Radiation Treatment Access, Immuno-Radiation Therapy, Particle Therapy, FLASH Radiation Therapy and X-Met.
These priority pillars are supported by six cross-cutting infrastructure platforms, including: the computational modeling program; predictive biomarkers; data science; clinical trials; education; and value, access and quality.
Radiation Oncology Clinical Research Council
Our clinical research portfolio management and study prioritization for the division is guided by the specialty sections’ leadership and the Clinical Research Council (CRC), co-chaired by Zhongxing Liao, M.D., professor in the Radiation Oncology department, and Sam Beddar, Ph.D., professor in the Radiation Physics department.
Access to Clinical Trials
Our experienced and compassionate clinical research teams support Radiation Oncology trials at the Main campus, as well as in the Houston Area Locations (HALs) including West Houston, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, League City and UTMB Galveston.
Patients who are interested in participating in a clinical trial should contact their provider for guidance and additional information.
Physician Scientist and Translational Research Group
The Radiation Oncology division supports the Physician-Scientist and Translational Science Program, which bridges research efforts from diverse departments to translate to the clinic.
We facilitate robust collaboration between the clinical departments: Breast Radiation Oncology, Experimental Radiation Oncology, Gastrointestinal (GI) Radiation Oncology, Genitourinary (GU) Radiation Oncology and Radiation Oncology, along with the departments of Radiation Physics and other departments to bring exciting discoveries to our patients.
Beyond expanding our research efforts, the program provides mentorship to trainees, residents and junior faculty to grow their research careers. This includes providing senior mentorship and more granular assistance with grants and administration. An overarching goal of the program is to serve as a beacon of excellence for translational research in Radiation Oncology, not only for our institution, but for the global community.
This program is deeply connected to the institution’s mission to end cancer through innovative basic and translational research done both in parallel and embedded in cutting edge clinical trials.
Physicians Scientists Group Interests
Microbiome
Investigators are exploring how the microbiome may influence the ability of the body’s own immune system to attack HPV-laden cancer cells. Our physician scientists are assessing how changes in the microbiome affect patient outcomes to cancer therapy, such as radiation therapy. Their findings raise the possibility of manipulating the microbiome to “engineer” health and to improve responses to cancer therapies.
Immune System
Radiation therapy has been shown to negatively affect the immune system. Conversely, radiation therapy has also been shown to enhance positive responses to immunotherapy. Research on the immune-modulating effects of radiation therapy on tumors will ultimately lead to new combinations of cancer treatments and treatment regimens.
Radiation Treatment Modalities
Standard and emerging treatment modalities of radiation therapy delivery, including particle therapy (e.g., proton therapy), Gamma Knife®, brachytherapy, stereotactic body radiation treatment (SBRT), which was pioneered by our physician scientist Albert Koong, M.D., Ph.D. for treating pancreatic cancer; intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and FLASH radiation therapy. This research will help overcome significant hurdles for cancer patient’s well-being and life-extending treatment options.
FLASH Radiation Therapy
One of the latest advances in radiation therapy, FLASH delivers radiation at ultra-high dose rates, which are approximately 100 times faster than conventional radiation therapy delivery methods. FLASH radiation therapy may be one of the greatest breakthroughs in radiation therapy in decades. FLASH radiation therapy research will facilitate the translation of this paradigm-shift radiation therapy delivery method to the clinic.
Particle Therapy
Using high-energy charged particles, such as protons, in radiation therapy is considered cutting-edge due to its healthy tissue-sparing effects. It is an attractive therapeutic option for many cancer patients. A wide variety of cancers can be treated with proton therapy. MD Anderson Cancer Center was the first institution in the United States and second in the world to implement intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT).
Predictive Biomarkers
Biomarkers can be used to diagnose cancer as well as to predict cancer patient outcomes. Research on biomarkers will help identify which type of radiation therapy is best for each patient. Biomarker research in the division will lead to planning safer and more efficacious radiation therapy for cancer patients and more precisely diagnose cancer subtypes.
Divisional Laboratories
The Division of Radiation Oncology laboratories include representation from our departments: Radiation Oncology, Breast Radiation Oncology, Gastrointestinal Radiation Oncology, Genitourinary Radiation Oncology, Thoracic Radiation Oncology, Radiation Physics and Experimental Radiation Oncology.
Department of Breast Radiation Oncology
Department of Radiation Oncology
- Caroline Chung, M.D.
- Lauren E. Colbert, M.D.
- Clifton D. Fuller, M.D., Ph.D.
- David Grosshans, M.D., Ph.D.
- Wen Jiang, Ph.D.
- Ann Klopp, M.D., Ph.D.
- Devarati Mitra, M.D., Ph.D.
- Amy C. Moreno, M.D.
- Michael Spiotto, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Gastrointestinal Radiation Oncology
Department of Genitourinary Radiation Oncology
Department of Radiation Physics
- Sam Beddar, Ph.D
- Sang Hyun Cho. Ph.D.
- Laurence Court, Ph.D.
- Rebecca Howell, Ph.D.
- Stephen Kry, Ph.D.
- Radhe Mohan, Ph.D.
- Mohammad Salehpour, Ph.D.
- Gabriel Sawakuchi, Ph.D.
- Emil Schueler, Ph.D.
- Oleg Vassilieuv, Ph.D.
- Jinzhong Yang, Ph.D.
- Xiaodong Zhang, Ph.D.
Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology
- Junjie Chen, Ph.D.
- Boyi Gan, Ph.D.
- Marian Kalocsay, Ph.D.
- Khandan Keyomarsi, Ph.D.
- Li Ma, Ph.D.
- Pawel Mazur, Ph.D.
- Marvin Meistrich, Ph.D.
- Jae-Il Park, Ph.D.
- Helen Piwnica-Worms, Ph.D.
- Di Zhao, Ph.D.