M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Overview

Trial Radar AI Insights

MD Anderson Cancer Center

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center stands as a global leader in cancer research and treatment, driving innovative clinical trials that advance patient outcomes through its extensive portfolio of phase I–III studies focused on oncology. As part of the University of Texas System, the center's patient-first approach emphasises personalised care and immunotherapy breakthroughs, offering trial participants access to cutting-edge therapies that have transformed survival rates for complex cancers.

• Institution Profile: Founded 1941 · Houston, Texas, United States · Public · mdanderson.org
• Therapeutic Strengths: Oncology, immunotherapy, cancer prevention
• Research standing: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (James P. Allison), 2018; Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award (James P. Allison), 2015; William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Tumor Immunology (Padmanee Sharma), 2018
• Partnerships: The University of Texas at Austin; Rice University; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy

Clinical Research Infrastructure

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center operates a comprehensive clinical-research ecosystem anchored in its main campus in Houston, Texas, which serves as a hub for multidisciplinary trials across oncology subspecialties. The center integrates advanced facilities for translational research, enabling seamless progression from bench to bedside, and collaborates with affiliated sites to expand trial reach domestically and internationally. Key affiliates include Ben Taub Hospital and Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, supporting diverse patient populations in trial recruitment.

Hospitals & Medical Centers include the flagship M.D. Anderson Cancer Center hospital, a 721-bed facility dedicated to cancer care, and key affiliates such as Baylor College of Medicine and Texas A&M University health networks for multi-site studies.

Specialty Institutes & Research Facilities encompass the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Building for Personalized Cancer Care, a state-of-the-art centre for precision medicine trials, alongside institutes focused on immunotherapy and cellular therapy.

Key Specialties and Therapeutic Focus

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center excels in oncology, with primary focus areas prioritised by its world-renowned expertise in immunotherapy, cellular therapy, targeted therapy, cancer prevention, and translational research. These efforts target prevalent conditions such as malignant solid neoplasms and hematopoietic and lymphoid cell neoplasms, addressing high-enrollment needs like depression and anxiety disorders in cancer patients, as well as genetic disorders. Therapeutic modalities span small molecules, biologics, radiation, and gene-based approaches, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and radiation therapies tailored to oligometastatic disease.

• Detailed disease areas and targeted conditions: Breast cancer, head and neck cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, genitourinary cancers, and gastrointestinal malignancies, with emphasis on metastatic and rare solid tumours
• Therapeutic modalities employed: Drugs (e.g., cyclophosphamide, venetoclax), biologicals, radiation therapy, behavioural interventions, and diagnostic tests integrated into multimodal regimens
• Leading specialists and their credentials: James P. Allison, PhD (immunology, Nobel laureate); Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD (genitourinary medical oncology and immunology); Anil K. Sood, MD (gynecologic oncology and cancer biology); Raghu Kalluri, MD, PhD (cancer biology and metastasis); Shubham Pant, MD (gastrointestinal medical oncology)
• Notable treatment breakthroughs and clinical outcomes: Demonstrated that metastasis-directed radiation can delay systemic treatment for patients with oligometastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (2025); developed the first immune checkpoint inhibitor drug, ipilimumab, approved by the FDA for metastatic melanoma (2011), leading to improved response rates in advanced cancers

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Clinical Trials Landscape

Trial Statistics

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center leads 1,064 active clinical trials as sponsor, encompassing recruiting, not yet recruiting, and active not recruiting statuses, with a total of 1,346,327 participants enrolled across its portfolio and 1,437 locations primarily in the United States. These trials predominantly involve adults and older adults (1,052 and 1,024 respectively), with a smaller focus on child populations (133), and emphasise interventional studies (882) over observational ones (182), targeting conditions like malignant solid neoplasms and hematopoietic neoplasms through diverse interventions such as drugs and questionnaires. Phase distribution highlights early-to-mid stage research, with 465 phase II trials and 238 phase I, reflecting the center's strength in innovative oncology development at sites like its Houston campus and select international partners in Canada and Italy.

Key Clinical Trial Updates

Recent developments at M.D. Anderson include 212 trials updated in the last month, signalling ongoing momentum in recruitment and data collection for immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Breakthrough findings from 2025 demonstrate the efficacy of metastasis-directed radiation in delaying systemic treatments for oligometastatic renal cell carcinoma, potentially reshaping management strategies with improved progression-free survival. Upcoming milestones feature primary completion dates for several phase II/III trials in breast and genitourinary cancers by late 2025, alongside anticipated regulatory submissions for novel checkpoint inhibitors, building on historical successes like the 2011 FDA approval of ipilimumab.

Trial Innovation

M.D. Anderson integrates novel trial designs, including adaptive platforms for immunotherapy combinations that adjust based on interim biomarkers, enhancing efficiency in phase I/II studies. Patient-centric approaches incorporate digital health tools for remote quality-of-life assessments via questionnaires and surveys, facilitating decentralized monitoring in cancer prevention trials. The center leverages real-world evidence from its vast observational studies to inform interventional designs, particularly in translational research linking cellular therapies to clinical outcomes in solid tumours.

Clinical Trial Participation Guide

Trial Radar's participation assistant simplifies exploring M.D. Anderson trials: use Simplify to get a clear summary of study goals, preview steps with What to Expect for enrolment processes, and confirm eligibility using Check Eligibility to match your profile against criteria like age or condition. In the Contacts & Locations tab, access detailed site information and connect directly with study teams at M.D. Anderson or affiliates for personalised guidance.

Explore M.D. Anderson Cancer Center clinical trials

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