“Our rise reflects years of commitment to building a truly comprehensive cancer center where scientific discovery and exceptional patient care advance hand in hand,” said Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., director of Sylvester. He said the center’s multidisciplinary teams are increasingly equipped to deliver experimental therapies and specialized treatments to patients with complex or difficult-to-treat cancers. This model links laboratory research with clinical practice, allowing discoveries in areas such as tumor biology, molecular diagnostics and therapeutic development to move more efficiently toward patient care.

Sylvester is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in South Florida, a designation that recognizes institutions with substantial research activity, advanced cancer programs and a commitment to reducing the burden of cancer. Its work spans basic science, population research, clinical investigation and direct treatment. This integrated structure is designed to improve the accuracy of diagnosis, identify biological differences between tumors and match patients with therapies that are more precisely suited to the molecular characteristics of their disease.

A central component of that effort is Sylvester’s academic Phase 1 Clinical Trials Program, described as the only program of its kind in South Florida. Phase 1 trials are generally the first studies in which a new drug, biologic therapy or treatment combination is tested in people. Researchers primarily evaluate safety, tolerability, dosage and how the treatment behaves in the body, although early signals of effectiveness may also emerge. For patients whose cancers have resisted standard therapies, these studies can provide access to treatments years before they become broadly available, while generating data needed for later-stage clinical development.

The center’s research capacity expanded substantially with the opening of the 12-story Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building in 2025. The facility doubled Sylvester’s research space and brought scientists, physicians, clinical investigators and data specialists into closer proximity. Such physical and organizational integration is important in translational medicine, which seeks to convert discoveries from laboratory models into diagnostic tools, clinical trials and treatments. Shared research environments can accelerate the analysis of tumor samples, the testing of candidate therapies and the development of data-driven approaches to predicting treatment response.

Sylvester is also extending cancer research and prevention beyond its main clinical facilities. Its Game Changer mobile program brings cancer screening, education and research opportunities to medically underserved communities across South Florida. Mobile outreach can help reduce barriers related to transportation, geography and access to specialty care, while screening programs may identify disease at earlier and more treatable stages. The center also leads a nationally recognized firefighter cancer initiative focused on research, prevention, screening and advocacy, addressing occupational exposures and other factors that may influence cancer risk in firefighting populations.

Additional programs target cancer survivorship and prevention. An NCI-funded effort is working to strengthen survivorship care through community health centers, where patients may receive long-term monitoring and support closer to home after completing treatment. Sylvester is also advancing lifestyle medicine and research on human papillomavirus-associated cancers. HPV can contribute to the development of several malignancies, including cervical, anal, oropharyngeal and other cancers. Combining vaccination, screening, behavioral interventions and molecular research may help reduce preventable disease and improve outcomes for people already diagnosed.

The latest rankings reflect performance across the wider UHealth system as well. Four additional programs earned national rankings, including ophthalmology, neurology and neurosurgery, geriatrics, and cardiology, heart and vascular surgery. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute retained the nation’s No. 1 position in ophthalmology for the 25th consecutive year. UHealth’s neurology and neurosurgery program ranked No. 14 nationally and includes more than 70 research and clinical faculty working across neurological subspecialties. Five other specialties—urology, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology and lung surgery—received high-performing designations, placing them among the top 10% of hospitals nationwide.

Together, the results point to an expanding health system built around specialized care, research infrastructure and long-term patient management. “We are proud of what these results say about our progress, but our focus remains on what comes next,” said Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., chief executive officer of UHealth. He said the system would continue investing in people, innovation and specialized services. For Sylvester, the national rise is both a measure of recent progress and a sign of the competitive importance of connecting advanced cancer biology, early-phase clinical research, community prevention and comprehensive care within a single academic health system.

Subject of Research: Cancer research, clinical oncology, cancer prevention, Phase 1 clinical trials and translational medicine.

Article Title: Sylvester Cancer Center Rises to No. 23 Nationwide in 2026 U.S. News Rankings

News Publication Date: August 4, 2026

Web References: Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center: https://umiamihealth.org/en/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center; Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building: https://umiamihealth.org/en/locations/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center-kenneth-c-griffin-cancer-research-building; UHealth rankings report: https://news.med.miami.edu/uhealth-highest-us-news-hospital-rankings-2026/

References: U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Hospitals rankings; National Cancer Institute cancer center designation information; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center announcement.

Image Credits: Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Keywords: Cancer, cancer research, clinical research, oncology, Phase 1 clinical trials, translational medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, UHealth, University of Miami, National Cancer Institute, cancer prevention, survivorship care

Dr. Robert Bast, a luminary in experimental therapeutics, is being honored with the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research. His seminal discovery of the ovarian cancer biomarker CA-125 revolutionized early detection and disease monitoring, significantly improving patient outcomes globally. Beyond this breakthrough, Dr. Bast’s dedication to cultivating the next generation of physician-scientists and clinical investigators through meticulously designed mentoring and career development programs has resulted in a remarkable success rate. His leadership in translational research career development has propelled many trainees toward independent research careers, thus perpetuating a legacy of excellence in cancer education and mentorship.

Distinguished cancer biologist Dr. Ronald DePinho receives the AACR-Princess Takamatsu Memorial Lectureship in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms linking aging and cancer. Employing sophisticated genetically engineered models, Dr. DePinho illuminated the pivotal role of telomere biology—a chromosomal protective mechanism—in genomic instability and carcinogenesis. His research unveiled how telomere attrition drives age-related epithelial cancers and revealed reversible pathways of aging, challenging long-held notions and opening new therapeutic avenues for age-associated diseases and malignancies. His forthcoming lecture promises to shed further light on the intricate interplay between cellular senescence and tumorigenesis.

In the realm of hematologic malignancies, Dr. Christopher Flowers is distinguished with the AACR-Minorities in Cancer Research Jane Cooke Wright Lectureship for his substantive clinical and population-based research in lymphoma. Dr. Flowers has provided critical insights into disparities affecting lymphoma patients, transforming the understanding of how sociodemographic factors influence disease presentation and treatment outcomes. Through large cohort studies and detailed epidemiological analysis, his work has enhanced risk stratification models and informed more equitable and effective management strategies. His dual role as a clinician-scientist and mentor fosters a vibrant scientific community dedicated to improving outcomes for underserved populations.

Advances in cancer genomics and bioinformatics are exemplified by Dr. Han Liang, who receives the AACR Award for Outstanding Achievement in Basic Cancer Research. A computational biologist by training, Dr. Liang pioneered pan-cancer analyses that integrate multi-omic data to delineate molecular vulnerabilities across diverse tumor types. His development of The Cancer Proteome Atlas and the TANRIC platform, which facilitate open-access exploration of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and RNA editing events in cancer cells, has provided invaluable resources for the global research community. Dr. Liang’s investigations into A-to-I RNA editing elucidate post-transcriptional modifications that influence tumor behavior and resistance mechanisms, spotlighting novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

Emerging as a promising figure in experimental radiation oncology, Dr. Di Zhao is recognized as the NextGen Star for the AACR Annual Meeting 2025. Her integrative research employs cutting-edge genetically engineered models combined with single-cell multi-omic analyses to unravel the complex biology of advanced prostate cancer. By characterizing therapeutic vulnerabilities and delineating effective combinatorial treatment strategies, Dr. Zhao bridges bench-to-bedside translational efforts and collaborates extensively with clinicians to accelerate the adoption of novel therapies. Her work exemplifies the future of precision oncology, leveraging highly granular biological insights to individualize patient care.

These recognitions come at a pivotal moment when the cancer research community increasingly emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. MD Anderson’s President, Dr. Peter WT Pisters, lauded the awardees as exemplars of scientific rigor, transformative discovery, and mentorship that together drive forward the frontiers of oncology. The constellation of honored scientists reflects a spectrum of expertise—from molecular biology and computational analytics to clinical investigation and therapeutic development—underscoring the institution’s integrative approach to combating cancer.

Echoing this sentiment, MD Anderson’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Giulio Draetta highlighted how these accolades serve as testament to the institution’s uniquely collaborative research ecosystem. The confluence of basic science, clinical research, and educational initiatives within MD Anderson provides fertile ground for breakthroughs in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, ultimately translating into meaningful improvements for patients worldwide.

In conjunction with these Scientific Achievement Awards, another notable development is the recognition of Dr. Timothy Yap, professor of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics and vice president and clinical development head of Therapeutics Discovery. Dr. Yap’s recent appointments as editor-in-chief of AACR’s prestigious journal Clinical Cancer Research and election to the AACR Board of Directors amplify his leadership influence within the oncology research community. His research focuses on the innovative development and clinical trial acceleration of molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapies, harnessing novel predictive biomarkers that promise to refine therapeutic efficacy and patient selection profoundly.

The upcoming AACR Annual Meeting 2025, an epicenter for cutting-edge scientific dialogue, will feature award lectures from these distinguished researchers, offering an unparalleled opportunity for the broader oncology community to engage with pioneering findings. These presentations are anticipated to catalyze novel hypotheses and foster collaborations aimed at conquering the multifaceted challenges posed by cancer.

MD Anderson’s sustained prominence in cancer innovation reflects a strategic commitment to translational research—moving discoveries from the laboratory into clinical practice efficiently and effectively. The research topics covered by these laureates span critical areas including tumor biomarker discovery, telomere dynamics, cancer health disparities, computational cancer genomics, and next-generation radiation therapies. These areas are instrumental in progressing toward precision medicine paradigms that tailor interventions based on individual tumor biology and patient-specific factors.

Collectively, this cohort of scientists embodies a vision for cancer research wherein education, mentorship, and interdisciplinary inquiry converge to drive transformative patient outcomes. Their achievements not only highlight distinct scientific domains but also exemplify the impact of fostering talent pipelines, leveraging computational advances, and embracing diverse perspectives to tackle the global cancer burden.

As the scientific community eagerly awaits the AACR Annual Meeting 2025, the announcements affirm that MD Anderson Cancer Center remains at the forefront of oncology leadership. The honored investigators’ work continues to illuminate pathways toward prolonged survival, improved quality of life, and ultimately, the prevention and eradication of cancer.

Subject of Research: Cancer translational research, molecular oncology, cancer genomics, biomarker discovery, telomere biology, lymphoma clinical research, bioinformatics, experimental radiation oncology, cancer therapeutics development.

Article Title: MD Anderson Scientists Receive Prestigious AACR Scientific Achievement Awards Ahead of the 2025 Annual Meeting

News Publication Date: Not specified

Web References:

• https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/aacr–five-md-anderson-researchers-honored-with-2025-scientific-achievement-awards.h00-159775656.html
• https://www.aacr.org/meeting/aacr-annual-meeting-2025/

Keywords: Cancer research, translational oncology, cancer biomarkers, telomere biology, lymphoma disparities, bioinformatics, cancer genomics, precision medicine, experimental therapeutics, radiation oncology, AACR awards, MD Anderson