Top Cancer Research Institutions in the United States

In the last few centuries, cancer research has advanced tremendously, with many pioneering medical institutions leading the way. The United States has many notable medical institutions that have been leaders in cancer prevention, research, and treatments. These renowned institutions have changed the way cancer has been treated.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, founded in 1884 by couple John Astor and Charlotte Gibbes, is known for its collective 120 research laboratories. Their two main branches are Sloan Kettering Institute, which prioritizes biomedical research, and Memorial Hospital, serving patients. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s focus areas in research are human oncology and pathogenesis, epidemiology and biostatistics, and translational labs. Their current clinical trials identify more effective cancer therapies, with more than 1,200 clinical protocols being pursued by Memorial Sloan Kettering medical investigators in 2020. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center collaborates with Cornell University and Rockefeller University with their MD and Ph.D. programs in chemical biology, computational biology and medicine, and other medical sciences. They offer postgraduate clinical and research fellowships training physicians who want to specialize in a particular field of study in cancer.

The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland spans over 34 departments and 5 schools across Johns Hopkins University. Their various research programs focus on discovering genomes that are linked to the development of cancer, screening stool tests for colon cancer, and mapping the genome for colon, breast, and pancreatic cancers. Patient Response to Immunotherapy using Spliceosome Mutational Markers (PRISMM), a Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center’s clinical trial, investigates the development of advanced breast cancer in patients. Known as one of the United State’s most advanced centers for cancer research, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center continues to advance in cancer research in its mission to cure cancer.

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is one of fifteen medical research institutes associated with Harvard Medical School. Founded in 1947 by Sidney Farber, a pediatric pathologist, it was originally called the Children’s Cancer Research Foundation. Sidney Farber is known today as the father of modern chemotherapy for pioneering the beginning of a medical breakthrough. When studying the detrimental effects of leukemia in patients, Farber realized chemotherapy drugs could be in the fight against leukemia. Later in his life, Farber along with other medical investigators achieved the first ever remissions of Wilms’ tumor in patients. Wilms’ tumor is a type of kidney cancer mainly diagnosed in children. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s various specialized centers and programs focus on many areas of cancer research. Among many, the Blood Cancer Research Partnership focuses on developing clinical trials for cancer patients at home. Dana-Farber’s Program in Regulatory Science’s research is on developing more effective therapies and biomarkers by analyzing clinical trial designs. The Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care Services supports patients and families battling cancer and research survivorship issues post-treatment. The Cancer Care Equity Program promotes outreach, diversity, inclusion, and equity for patients and medical professionals at Dana-Farber.

Another notable cancer institute is Mass General Cancer Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Their primary focus areas are immunology and early detection technology of cancers. In immunology, Mass General is currently developing CAR T-Cell therapies for adult patients with lymphoma or multiple myeloma. In early cancer detection, Mass General’s Center for Innovation in Early Cancer Detection drives to create technology to screen for earlier signs of cancer. Mass General has many educational programs for cancer patients and caregivers. Patient care for all types of cancer is an important cornerstone of Mass General with three main departments: Radiation Oncology, Surgical Oncology, and Supportive Care. Supportive care is crucial for patients and their families to understand the realities of cancer. The Maxwell V. Blum Cancer Research Program seeks to educate patients and families on how to live and take care of someone diagnosed with cancer through providing workshops, support groups, and conferences with cancer patients and their families. Oncology social workers are mental health professionals who counsel cancer patients, survivors, and their families through the long and hard process.

Although cancer continues to affect the lives of millions across the world, the work of medical professionals to advance the effectiveness of cancer therapies and treatments have saved billions of lives. Cancer researchers will never stop striving towards their goal: curing cancer.

Sources

• https://www.newsweek.com/worlds-best-specialized-hospitals-2021/oncology

• https://www.mskcc.org/about/history-milestones

• https://eng.amc.seoul.kr/gb/lang/main.do

• https://www.massgeneral.org/cancer-center/news/lauren-hindman-story-project

• https://www.mdanderson.org/

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/oncology/home/orc-20198222

• https://www.dana-farber.org/