Cardiovascular Diseases

The hematology department at MD Anderson Cancer Center is investigating blood‑related cardiovascular complications, notably venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients, to improve prevention and management strategies.

  • Venous thromboembolism in gastrointestinal cancers
  • VTE associated with hematologic malignancies
  • Cardiac safety of novel anti‑cancer agents
  • Coagulation abnormalities in solid tumors

With 143 active trials and 68 investigators, the site aims to reduce treatment‑related clotting risks.

Digestive System Diseases

Research focuses on improving outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies, testing new targeted therapies and combination regimens for colorectal cancer, gastric adenocarcinoma, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

  • Colorectal cancer with KRASG12C mutation
  • Advanced gastric and gastro‑esophageal junction cancer
  • Metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma
  • High‑risk hepatocellular carcinoma

The program supports over one hundred trials aimed at extending survival and enhancing quality of life for digestive system disease patients.

Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications

The site conducts extensive studies on gynecologic cancers, evaluating innovative immunotherapies and antibody‑drug conjugates for ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers, as well as assessing fertility‑preserving approaches.

  • BRCA‑mutated advanced ovarian cancer
  • High‑risk endometrial carcinoma
  • Recurrent cervical cancer
  • Uterine serous carcinoma with peritoneal spread

These efforts are part of the center’s commitment to address women’s health within its 143‑trial portfolio.

Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases

A core strength of the department is the investigation of blood‑related malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and various lymphomas, to develop more effective and less toxic treatments.

  • Acute myeloid leukemia with NPM1 mutation
  • High‑risk myelodysplastic syndrome
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Richter’s transformation
  • Diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma
  • Peripheral T‑cell lymphoma

With 68 dedicated investigators, the center advances precision medicine for hematologic cancers.

Hormonal Diseases

Clinical trials target hormone‑driven tumors, testing endocrine therapies, CDK4/6 inhibitors, and novel agents for estrogen receptor‑positive breast cancer and prostate cancer, aiming to improve progression‑free survival.

  • HR+/HER2‑negative early breast cancer
  • Metastatic castration‑resistant prostate cancer
  • Hormone‑refractory advanced breast cancer
  • Androgen‑dependent prostate cancer with DDR mutations

The research aligns with the center’s broader oncology mission, contributing to the 143 clinical studies underway.

Male Urogenital Diseases

Investigations include advanced prostate and bladder malignancies, focusing on novel immunotherapies and targeted agents to address disease progression and resistance.

  • Metastatic castration‑sensitive prostate cancer
  • Muscle‑invasive bladder cancer
  • Urothelial carcinoma resistant to platinum
  • Non‑muscle invasive bladder cancer unresponsive to BCG

These studies are part of the comprehensive oncology portfolio at MD Anderson.

Neoplasms

Across a broad spectrum of solid tumors, the center evaluates cutting‑edge therapies such as antibody‑drug conjugates, checkpoint inhibitors, and gene‑targeted agents for melanoma, non‑small cell lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma.

  • Advanced melanoma (stage III/IV)
  • EGFR‑mutated non‑small cell lung cancer
  • Clear cell renal cell carcinoma
  • Advanced solid tumors with KRAS G12C mutation
  • Metastatic triple‑negative breast cancer

The extensive trial network supports innovative treatments for a wide array of neoplastic diseases.

Respiratory Tract Diseases

The research agenda includes novel therapies for lung cancers, assessing efficacy of targeted inhibitors and immunotherapies in non‑small cell lung cancer and small‑cell lung cancer, with an emphasis on biomarker‑driven patient selection.

  • KRAS G12C‑positive NSCLC
  • EGFR‑mutated NSCLC after TKI failure
  • Extensive‑stage small‑cell lung cancer
  • Early‑stage non‑squamous NSCLC

These efforts contribute to the center’s goal of improving lung cancer survival rates.

Metabolism

Trials explore metabolic pathways that drive tumor growth, evaluating agents that modulate metabolic enzymes and pathways in cancers such as renal cell carcinoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

  • Metabolic inhibition in clear cell renal carcinoma
  • Targeting glycolysis in pancreatic cancer
  • mTOR pathway modulation in solid tumors
  • Biomarker studies of metabolic signatures

The metabolic research complements the broader oncology program at the site.

Physiological Processes

Investigations address the tumor microenvironment and immune regulation, testing combination regimens that enhance immune activation and overcome resistance in various malignancies.

  • Immune checkpoint blockade with chemotherapy
  • Fibroblast activation protein‑targeted therapies
  • Combination of CD20 antibodies and lenalidomide
  • Modulation of cytokine release syndrome in CAR‑T studies

By probing fundamental physiological mechanisms, the center aims to translate insights into more effective clinical interventions.