Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center receives renewal of NCI designation

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has renewed the comprehensive designation for the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine for another five years. The renewal includes $18 million in grant funding.

The NCI’s comprehensive designation recognizes the center for its depth and breadth of clinical and basic science research, clinical research trials and service to cancer patients from diverse populations in the community. The Duncan Cancer Center is one of only three NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in Texas. It first received NCI designation in 2007 and comprehensive designation in 2014. Since the initial designation, the center has grown to 278 faculty members and research funding exceeds $148 million, with more than $43 million coming from the NCI.

In the last five years, the center's clinicians and researchers have made important scientific accomplishments to improve cancer care. The center implemented lung cancer screenings to catch disease at the earliest stage, launched the country’s first cell therapy unit in a safety net hospital, and introduced new tools to rapidly diagnose cancer during surgery.

“Our center is driven by the needs of our patients and community to pursue scientific breakthroughs that will reduce cancer burden for all,” said Dr. Pavan Reddy, director of the Duncan Cancer Center.

In the next five years, center leaders hope to accelerate translation and implementation of discoveries from the bench to provide innovative personalized care in clinics, enhance access to world-class cancer care to all in the community and state, and continue to train the next generation of leaders that will push the frontiers of discovery and clinical care.

“The faculty in the Duncan Cancer Center are leaders in their field. With this renewed funding, they will continue to make advancements in cancer research and care that benefit people in Houston and around the world,” said Dr. Paul Klotman, president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor.

Duncan Cancer Center physicians provide patient care at multiple Baylor-affiliated hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, including Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Ben Taub Hospital and the Michael E. DeBakey Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center. The catchment area includes Harris County and eight surrounding counties, encompassing nearly 8 million people. The center is dedicated to providing cancer services and education to all in the catchment area, especially the underserved.