The Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI) became an NCI Designated Cancer Center in 2007, and a Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2016. The Stanford Cancer Institute is located in the heart of Silicon Valley in California, and its mission is to reduce cancer mortality through comprehensive programs of cancer research, treatment, education, and outreach. Stanford has a long tradition of innovation in cancer research and translational medicine.

By leveraging the expertise of nearly 500 physicians and researchers, the SCI harnesses the vast intellectual and scientific resources of Stanford University, Stanford Health Care, and Stanford Children’s Health to advance the understanding of cancer and rapidly translate those research discoveries into improved prevention strategies, novel diagnostics, and safer, more effective therapies. Stanford’s cancer treatment programs combine new advances in precision medicine with compassionate care and supportive services.

Research

Investigators at Stanford are leading a revolution in cancer biology and transforming how we treat cancer patients. The SCI has over 250 available clinical trials across all types of cancer and all phases of trials, including a rapidly growing phase 1 clinical trials portfolio. Stanford is committed to diversity and inclusion in its research and is very interested in partnering with communities to remove barriers to participation.

The SCI has scientific strengths in cancer cell and stem cell biology, radiation biology, genetics and genomics, immunology and immunotherapy, and molecular imaging. Dating from the first use of the linear accelerator in 1955 and the pioneering work in the combined modality treatment of Hodgkin disease, Stanford has provided innovative ideas that have greatly advanced the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of cancers. Stanford faculty members have pioneered the development of genomic technologies, detection of circulating tumor DNA, and the application of monoclonal antibodies to cancer treatment, among many other major advances.

Programs and Initiatives

In addition to the eight research programs identified in our Cancer Center Support Grant, the SCI supports a number of key initiatives designed to foster discovery, application, and translation of scientific knowledge. Interdisciplinary teams of collaborative investigators partner to solve some of the most challenging questions in cancer research and patient care. Some of our key initiatives include:

• Pioneering work in the fields of blood and marrow transplantation and cancer cell therapy, including one of the first uses of a bivalent CAR T-cell therapy in patients.
• Large, multidisciplinary research and patient care programs in pancreatic and lung cancer.
• A dedicated Stanford Women’s Cancer Center focused on the treatment of breast and gynecologic cancers.

Website: https://med.stanford.edu/cancer.html