Mays Cancer Center Annual Report Magazine
2025 issue
Our Mission
In 2025, the Mays Cancer Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio continued advancing its mission as the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in South Texas, expanding access to research, clinical innovation and patient-centered care across the region. This year marked significant momentum across our research and clinical enterprise. With more than […]
CPRIT awards UT Health San Antonio $6.6 million to accelerate cancer research
By Jane Alvarez-Hernandez The state agency, Cancer Research Prevention Institute of Texas (CPRIT), which focuses on the fight against cancer, has now awarded $167 million to UT Health San Antonio since 2010. Understanding obesity’s role in increasing liver cancer risk Masahiro Morita, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine and a researcher with […]
Cracking cancer’s code: New research identifies novel drug target for acute myeloid leukemia treatment
By Claire Kowalick Despite advances in cancer treatment in recent years, five-year survival rates for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain low at just 30% on average, according to the National Cancer Institute. Factors in the development of AML are diverse and have many different drivers. A longtime goal for scientists in this field is to […]
Drug-discovery breakthrough for large and polar drugs: Discovery of chemical endocytosis could redefine precision medicine
By Claire Kowalick A team of scientists, notably Zhengyu Wang, PhD, assistant professor in the department of pharmacology at The University of Texas at San Antonio and the Barshop Institute, led by Hong-yu Li, PhD, professor of medicinal chemistry and chemical biology with the department of pharmacology and the Barshop Institute, together with two other […]
San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program launches at UT Health San Antonio
By Steven Lee Firefighting is classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Occupational cancer has become the leading cause of death among firefighters. Studies have shown that firefighters face a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared […]
Targeted drug offers hope for safe, effective senolytic treatment for liver disease, cancer
By Claire Kowalick San Antonio has one of the highest rates of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in the United States, largely driven by high rates of obesity and diabetes in the region. This chronic liver condition can lead to serious health conditions including severe liver fibrosis or cirrhosis and liver cancer, posing a […]
Drug found to double survival time for glioblastoma patients
By Steven Lee A drug developed at The University of Texas at San Antonio has been shown to extend survival for patients with glioblastoma, the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Results of a trial led by the university revealed that a unique investigational drug formulation called Rhenium Obisbemeda (186RNL) more than doubled median […]
Uncovering how some cancers outsmart the immune system
By Claire Kowalick For years, scientists have found the overexpression of a specific protein called FOXM1 in a wide range of cancers, including ovarian, breast and pediatric cancers. A recent study by scientists at The University of Texas at San Antonio has now led to understanding its exact role in cancer development and is the […]
Key DNA complex connected to PARP inhibitor cancer-drug resistance discovered
By Claire Kowalick Scientists have made one of the most important discoveries to date in the study and treatment of BRCA1-deficient cancers and drug resistance. Approximately one in 300 Americans have a pathogenic mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, placing them at an elevated risk of developing certain cancers, especially breast and ovarian cancer. […]
Sometimes it’s something
By Claire Kowalick Angel Inocencio never expected a routine dental cleaning to change his life. At 31, with no family history of cancer and no obvious symptoms, the last thing on his mind was a serious medical diagnosis. But thanks to his dentist’s keen eye, he received the urgent care he needed in time. During […]
Siblings race to honor everyday cancer heroes — and each other
By Susan Anasagasti For Kathy Lozano and her brother, Larry Young, taking part in the 2025 Mays Cancer Center’s Give Cancer the Boot Survivorship 5K race and 1-mile walk was a celebration of their remission. The event, dedicated to honoring survivors and supporting those still in treatment, drew more than 1,300 participants and raised more […]