Texas Children’s Hospital and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have announced a collaboration dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.
The first-of-its-kind joint venture, approved by both the Texas Children’s Board of Trustees and the UT System Board of Regents, marks a historic step toward building what leaders are calling the “world’s preeminent pediatric cancer center.”
The new collaboration, set to launch collaborative operations and patient care in early 2026, brings together the nation’s largest comprehensive pediatric system and one of the foremost comprehensive cancer centers.
With a singular mission to end childhood cancer, the partnership will merge the unique strengths of both institutions — combining clinical expertise, cutting-edge research and an expansive network of clinical trials to accelerate improved outcomes for young patients.
In the statement announcing the collaboration, Dr. Peter WT Pisters, president of MD Anderson, explained, “The scope and scale of our combined effort will build the world’s preeminent pediatric cancer center, addressing the growing need for excellent patient care and greatly benefiting children with cancer through increased access to care and to clinical trials.”
Related: International Childhood Cancer Day 2025 Calls for Progress in Pediatric Cancer Care
Texas Children’s Hospital said while “the two organizations have collaborated for years, this new effort will expand access while offering the nation’s largest complement of pediatric subspecialty care and services to children diagnosed with all types of cancer within a single entity.”
The collaborative force aims not only to expand access to innovative treatments but also to boost the number and scope of pediatric clinical trials by integrating the patient populations of Texas Children’s and MD Anderson, accelerating discoveries and improving access to cutting-edge treatments.
Texas has one of the youngest and most rapidly growing populations in the US and ranks second in the nation for pediatric cancer cases. This offers a unique opportunity for scientific progress through this collaborative effort, Texas Children’s explained.
At the heart of the venture is a comprehensive care model that integrates over 200 pediatric oncology specialists from Texas Children’s Hospital — many of whom are full-time faculty with Baylor College of Medicine — with more than 100 pediatric clinicians and researchers from MD Anderson.
Debra F. Sukin, president and CEO of Texas Children’s Hospital, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the initiative: “The combined force of our two iconic programs will be led with the nation’s top talent — from clinicians and researchers to nurses and administrative professionals — each committed to realizing the shared mission of eradicating pediatric cancer.”
Plans for new state-of-the-art facilities are already underway. Although specifics are still being developed, the envisioned centers will feature the latest medical technologies designed specifically for pediatric cancer care.
The collaboration is more than a regional initiative — it is a model that could redefine pediatric oncology care worldwide. By integrating the specialized services of Texas Children’s Hospital with MD Anderson’s renowned cancer research and treatment capabilities, the venture is expected to set new standards in patient care, research excellence and education. The strategic partnership is designed to serve not just Texas, but also communities across the nation and around the world.
In the coming months, further details regarding new facilities, integrated care pathways and expanded clinical trials will be revealed.
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