HOUSTON, NOV. 12, 2025 ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today launches its historic $2.5 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign, Only Possible Here, The Campaign to End Cancer. The campaign represents the largest fundraising effort in MD Anderson's 84-year history, bringing together philanthropic support from around the world to advance the institution's mission to end cancer. Initial donor support already has raised $1.9 billion toward the campaign goal.

One person’s side effect could be another person’s treatment if we expand our perspective on small molecule drug targets, according to a new study published November 5, 2025, in npj Precision Oncology.

“Small molecules can have different targets and effects depending on the disease and cell type, and we can use this knowledge to repurpose more drugs to treat more patients,” said lead author Sanju Sinha, PhD, an assistant professor at Sanford Burnham Prebys.

Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have uncovered unexpected traces of bacteria within brain tumors. This discovery offers new insights into the environment in which brain tumors grow and sets the stage for future studies seeking to improve treatment outcomes.  

Published today in Nature Medicine, the data revealed that bacterial genetic and cellular elements were present inside brain tumor cells and across the tumor microenvironment. These bacterial components appeared biologically active, potentially influencing tumor behavior and progression in patients with gliomas and brain metastases.   

A new study reveals that impaired brain fluid flow in regions opposite the tumor predicts shorter survival in glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Using advanced MRI techniques, researchers found that dysfunction of the brain’s clearance system, known as the glymphatic system, may worsen patient outcomes. These findings suggest that monitoring whole-brain fluid dynamics could help personalize treatments and identify new targets to restore brain health.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, responsible for thousands of deaths each year; but early detection can dramatically increase survival rates. Now, scientists have developed an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) model that can detect melanoma more accurately by combining skin images with patient metadata. The study achieved 94.5% accuracy, marking a breakthrough in AI-powered early detection of melanoma, thereby advancing smart healthcare systems.

Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are emerging as a transformative tool in colorectal cancer (CRC) research, offering unparalleled insights into tumor biology, drug resistance, and personalized treatment approaches. These models, created by transplanting fresh human tumor tissue into immunodeficient mice, faithfully replicate the genetic, histological, and molecular features of the original tumors. As such, they serve as invaluable resources in the study of tumor heterogeneity and in the development of precision oncology.

Researchers have developed a biomimetic mRNA delivery system that enhances the efficacy of PTEN mRNA in colorectal cancer immunotherapy. By using metal-ion coordination and cell-membrane coating, the system improves mRNA loading, cytosolic delivery, and stability, outperforming traditional lipid nanoparticles. The study also identifies a patient subgroup likely to benefit from PTEN-based treatment, provides an effective mRNA delivery system and conceptual proof for precise cancer immunotherapy.