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University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Celebrates 80 Years of Transforming Cancer Care
In an exclusive interview with Oncology Learning Network, Welela Tereffe, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Executive, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, highlights the center’s impact on the future of cancer care and immunotherapy research, as the center celebrates its 80th anniversary.
Oncology Learning Network: Please describe MD Anderson’s background.
Dr Tereffe: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the world’s most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention.
MD Anderson launched its operations in 1941 under the leadership of our first president, R. Lee Clark, MD, who believed in making “no small plans” when imagining the future of cancer care.
As we celebrate our 80th anniversary this year, I’m exceptionally gratified and proud to say that our team continues to embrace Clark’s mantra daily, as we advance discoveries in our mission to end cancer.
OLN: Give a quick company overview, what’s MD Anderson’s main mission/goal and functionality.
Dr Tereffe: The mission of MD Anderson is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world, through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research, and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees, and the public.
OLN: What programs does MD Anderson offer? Why are programs like this needed?
Dr Tereffe: Our programs are designed to reach the greatest number of patients possible through care, research, prevention, and education.
We have unmatched care centers and programs for comprehensive care of patients with all cancer types, from diagnosis to survivorship.
We also are leaders in cancer research, conducting impactful research across the spectrum of cancer science to drive breakthroughs that will benefit our patients. Institutional initiatives such as the Moon Shots Program and Rare Tumor Initiative are helping to accelerate those efforts.
We know that cancer prevention is key in our mission, and we offer a variety of clinical prevention and healthy lifestyle programs as well as educational outreach to the public. For example, we held 346 cancer prevention education programs within our community in the previous fiscal year.
We also educate our local and state leaders on the ways in which public policy—for example, protecting young people from the harms of tobacco products and tanning beds—can help improve population health and reduce the burden of cancer on our communities.
Finally, we are committed to training the next generation to join the fight to end cancer. We offer many educational and training programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees through our School of Health Professions or MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. In the past fiscal year, more than 4,800 trainees took part in various programs at MD Anderson.
We recognize the importance of stopping cancer in its tracks from all angles, and our programs are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer.
OLN: What are MD Anderson’s top achievements so far? What’s the biggest focus going into 2022 and beyond?
Dr Tereffe: Over the past 80 years, MD Anderson has radically transformed the paradigm of cancer care through groundbreaking scientific approaches and a relentless dedication to eliminating cancer.
In the previous fiscal year, 29 drugs tested at MD Anderson received FDA approval for cancer care. Additionally, we recently launched a visionary new research and innovation hub, the James P. Allison Institute, which builds on the foundational discoveries and legacy of Nobel Laureate Jim Allison, to bring the benefit of immunotherapy to all patients.
The institute will enable our researchers to deepen our understandings of immunobiology to unlock the full potential of science and medicine for human health.
OLN: How has MD Anderson impacted the future of immunotherapy research?
Dr Tereffe: MD Anderson is home to the brightest minds in trailblazing immunotherapy research. While immunotherapy has led to remarkable responses in nearly 2 dozen cancer types, we recognize that not all patients benefit equally.
The newly launched Allison Institute is dedicated to developing a deeper understanding of the immune system, advancing new synergetic treatment approaches, and unlocking the promise of immunotherapy so that all patients can benefit, regardless of tumor type.
With a deeper understanding of the immune system, the institute will devise combinations that work in synergy to bring cures to more patients in our community, and hopefully across the globe.
OLN: How about clinical research?
Dr Tereffe: MD Anderson conducts one of the world's largest clinical trials programs, currently offering over 1,600 clinical trials covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
Lately, research from MD Anderson in the last fiscal year has contributed to the development of 29 FDA-approved cancer drugs for public, clinical use. The launch of the Allison Institute will further build upon the unparalleled clinical trials infrastructure already present at MD Anderson to make new treatments available to patients rapidly and to accelerate the pace of discovery.
OLN: How does MD Anderson benefit patient care? How can patients get in touch to learn more?
Dr Tereffe: Ranked number 1 in cancer in the US News & World Report’s 2021-2022 annual “Best Hospitals” rankings, we are acutely aware that each patient’s cancer journey is unique. One of our greatest strengths is our ability to translate research findings into novel, more effective treatments and therapeutics for the patients we serve to provide the best possible treatment outcomes. Patients interested in learning more about MD Anderson and the care we offer can visit: https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/becoming-our-patient/why-md-anderson.html
OLN: What resources does MD Anderson offer to health care professionals (HCPs)?
Dr Tereffe: Our team collaborates with and serves as a resource for HCPs within our community and around the world to fuel some of the most compelling advancements in cancer research and care. We recognize that everyone’s cancer journey is unique, and that effective cancer care begins and ends with tailored treatment options and a trusted relationship with providers. To achieve seamless transitions of care and the best possible outcomes for patients, we offer cancer education materials tailored to HCPs as well as a robust referrals pathway program. Providers can learn more at: https://www.mdanderson.org/for-physicians/refer-a-patient/health-care-provider-resource-center.html.
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