On this page:

• Mission
• Heritage
• National Cancer Institute Designation
• Successes
• Members
• Research Programs and Resources for Researchers

Mission

Advancing knowledge, enhancing care is the mission of the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota. The Masonic Cancer Center fosters this mission by creating a collaborative research environment focused on the causes, prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer; applying that knowledge to improve quality of life for patients and survivors; and sharing its discoveries with other scientists, students, professionals, and the community.

Heritage

The Masonic Cancer Center was founded in 1991. It is part of the University's Academic Health Center, which also includes the Medical School, Dental School, College of Pharmacy, and Schools of Public Health and Veterinary Medicine. The Masonic Cancer Center's research partners include the University's Stem Cell Institute, Center for Immunology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and the Institute of Human Genetics; and its clinical research and treatment partners include the University of Minnesota Physicians; University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview; and University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, Fairview.

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National Cancer Institute Designation

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota a comprehensive cancer center in 1998, and in 2003, NCI renewed this designation. The Masonic Cancer Center is one of only 39 institutions in the United States to hold this designation. It is awarded only to institutions that make ongoing, significant advances in cancer research, treatment, and education. For more information, visit the NCI's Cancer Centers Program Web site.

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Successes

• Performed the world's first successful bone marrow transplant for Burkitt's lymphoma.
• Reached international prominence in umbilical cord blood transplantation and research.
• Led research that contributed to the increase in survival rates for childhood cancer from about 10 percent in 1959 to 80 percent today.
• Led research of medical and social issues faced by childhood cancer survivors through the Masonic Cancer Center's involvement with the Long-Term Follow-Up Study.
• Created the first animal model for studying and disabling cells responsible for causing bone cancer pain.
• Discovered techniques to more efficiently identify cancer genes.
• Initiated studies on how genetics, diet, lifestyle, family history, and other factors affect risk for breast and gynecologic cancers.
• Identified cancer-causing substances in tobacco and helped in proving nicotine is addictive. The Masonic Cancer Center's Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center is one of seven academic centers in the country designated by the federal government to stimulate integrated research across scientific disciplines in order to significantly advance our understanding of tobacco use, nicotine addiction, and tobacco harm reduction.
• Raised awareness in the community of cancer and cancer research through its educational and outreach programs, including involvement with Minnesota Cancer Alliance/Cancer Plan Minnesota.

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Members

The Masonic Cancer Center includes more than 500 faculty and staff members. It is home to some of the world's top cancer researchers in bone marrow transplantation, breast cancer, bone cancer, cancer genetics, tobacco research, immunology, new therapies development, pediatric oncology, chemoprevention, and epidemiology.

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Research Programs and Resources for Researchers

Please visit the Research section of this Web site for descriptions the Masonic Cancer Center's research programs and the resources available for Masonic Cancer Center members.

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