Looking ahead at the next 50 years

  On behalf of our faculty, researchers and staff, we are honored to present the 2024 annual report for Mays Cancer Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The year 2024 marked an important milestone for Mays Cancer Center – our 50th year of exceptional cancer care and research in […]

Elevating Our Mission: UT Health San Antonio alumnus chosen to be new executive director of Mays Cancer Center

Patient care and research are at the forefront of Zheng’s goals In September 2024, Lei Zheng, MD, PhD, alumnus of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), was appointed executive director of Mays Cancer Center and vice president for oncology for the health science center. Zheng was also […]

Promising drug for treating brain tumors stemming from breast cancer

“We knew that the drug has been effective in the treatment of breast cancer, but its usefulness in the treatment of resulting brain tumors has been unclear. Our trial, however, revealed that it could achieve concentrations of inhibitors inside the tumors sufficient to benefit patients, and with minimal side effects, which is very promising for […]

Breaking new ground with BRCA1 research at UT Health San Antonio

A study led by the UT Health San Antonio sheds light on a novel role of breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) in tumor suppression for breast and ovarian cancers. Individuals with inherited mutations in BRCA1 are predisposed to breast, ovarian and other cancers. BRCA1 helps prevent cancer by repairing damaged DNA, but how it does […]

UT Health San Antonio awarded $12.6 million grant for cancer research, understanding drug resistance

“This investment in research is a commitment to pioneering treatments in cancer care. The funding supports our mission to make significant strides in bringing hope and fighting cancer.” – Lei Zheng, MD, PhD, executive director of Mays Cancer Center.   The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio received a collaborative $12.6 million […]

UT Health San Antonio’s world-renowned expert in BRCA research honored for global contributions

Patrick Sung, DPhil, director of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute and associate dean for research at UT Health San Antonio, is the latest recipient of the 2024 Basser Global Prize. A leading researcher in DNA damage repair and cancer biology, Sung has been awarded the […]

Mays Cancer Center identifies possible markers to detect metastatic lung cancer sooner

Researchers at Mays Cancer Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have identified protein markers that could signal the development of metastatic lung cancer sooner – making it possible for new treatment. The findings led to a five-year, $1.6 million grant from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes […]

Mays Cancer Center partners with American Cancer Society to diagnose lung cancer sooner in South Texans

“This support is invaluable in helping our multidisciplinary team provide early detection and life-saving care to those at risk. We are improving outcomes and saving lives in the fight against lung cancer in a way that no other integrated academic health system in our region can do.” – Ramon Cancino, MD, MBA, MS, FAACP, executive […]

Gene-mutation pathway discovery paves way for targeted blood cancer therapies

About 30% of people with myeloid malignancy diseases have a mutation in a gene called tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2). This gene is known to have a tumor-suppressive function. “There currently is no specific, targeted treatment or therapy for these TET2-mutated cancers. This pathway opens a door for targeted therapeutics and targeted prevention,” said Mingjiang […]

UT Health San Antonio creates innovative method for advancing understanding of pancreatic cancer

“Learning how to prevent cancers from happening or figuring out how to stop them in their early stages is potentially more important than treatment itself. For pancreatic cancer, the biggest problem is that we find the cancer too late.” – Pei Wang, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy at UT […]

New breathing technique at Mays Cancer Center protects healthy tissue from radiation treatment

“We know that there is a dose response relationship with tumors, where higher doses yield better outcomes approaching surgery. Usually, the bowel limits the ability to go this high, but this technique can yield more room to dose escalate. I like to offer higher doses when possible, and that only happens comfortably with DIBH.” – […]

Concentrated approach to chemotherapy gives some metastatic cancer patients hope

In late 2023, Mays Cancer Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio became the only center in South Texas to offer a specialized chemotherapy delivery system called hepatic artery infusion, or HAI pump therapy. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, HAI therapy is intended for colorectal cancer patients […]