New therapies at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center are offering extended survival and improved quality of life for cancer patients, including those with advanced or previously incurable diseases. The center is introducing treatments that boost the immune system and precisely target cancer cells, reflecting ongoing advances in oncology.
Immunotherapy is a key development, used alongside traditional methods like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to harness the body’s own defenses against cancer. Joe B. Putnam, Jr., MD, FACS, thoracic surgeon and medical director at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, stated: “Immunotherapy has changed the disease process. Many patients even with advanced stage or metastatic disease who previously would have a very short survival of weeks to months are now seeing their lives extended from months to years based on the response they have to this treatment. We’re making progress every day. We see people living longer and that’s so rewarding.”
John Vu, MD, an oncologist specializing in skin and lung cancers, added: “Immunotherapy has changed the whole paradigm. Many of these patients go on to have stable cancer or no signs of cancer for many years.” Dr. Vu noted that immunotherapy has significantly increased life expectancy for those with metastatic melanoma.
The benefits of immunotherapy also extend to gynecologic cancers. Jenny Whitworth, MD, gynecologic oncology surgeon, said: “I have several patients who, if treated 15 years ago, wouldn’t have survived this long, but are now in remission and have been for six or seven years since we have these new treatments to offer people.”
Baptist MD Anderson is also advancing care for blood cancers through its new Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program. This initiative follows the model of Houston’s MD Anderson Cancer Center and offers options such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T cell) therapy.
Maxim Norkin, MD, PhD—hematologist-oncologist and program medical director—explained: “There have been tremendous advances in oncology and specifically hematologic oncology, meaning blood cancers. A lot of blood cancers were incurable, and patients previously had a short life span. The outcomes have drastically changed. Life expectancy is now exceeding 10 years and the quality of life has dramatically improved with treatments, which not only became more effective but also less toxic.”
Dr. Norkin further described CAR T cell therapy as particularly beneficial for aggressive lymphomas: “We are talking about hard-to-treat blood cancers,” he said. “We’ve seen significant improvement and duration of remission with these lines of treatment, which would be impossible otherwise.”
The cellular therapy program began serving select patients in 2025; stem cell transplants will be available starting late summer 2026.
Tom Dragovich, MD, PhD—head of Division of Cancer Medicine—commented on the impact: “Cellular therapy…is really transformative in terms of cancer care,” he said. “I believe that some of the most impactful advances will be made in that area in the next five to 10 years…that means access to life-saving therapies here at home without having to go somewhere else and be in an unfamiliar setting.”
Other targeted treatments include hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), known as “hot chemotherapy,” which delivers heated drugs directly into the abdomen for certain abdominal cancers while reducing side effects elsewhere in the body.
Niraj Gusani, MD, FACS—chief of Surgical Oncology—noted: “Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy allows us the best chance to eradicate the tumor…and it may provide the best hope to those who have complex and advanced abdominal cancers.” He added that hepatic artery infusion can make liver tumors more operable by shrinking them through high-dose localized therapy.
Advances also include molecular profiling using next-generation sequencing technology to tailor treatment plans based on genetic mutations within each tumor rather than applying uniform approaches across all cases.
Robert Zaiden, MD—director of Infusion Centers—said: “Treatments have evolved from one-size-fits-all to more precise mutation-driven personalized care which is often less toxic and more effective than traditional chemotherapy.” Dr. Vu highlighted that matching specific mutations with targeted therapies results in better patient outcomes.
For breast cancer patients specifically benefiting from molecular profiling techniques Laila Samiian ,MD,FACS — chief Breast Surgical Oncology — commented :“Molecular profiling …provides more accurate information at DNA level …to determine whether patients would benefit from chemotherapy or if they can just take endocrine therapy alone.”
In prostate cancer care ,the center offers comprehensive support from diagnosis through survivorship .Sumit Isharwal ,MD — urologic surgical oncologist — explained focal therapy :“Focal therapy …targets only cancer portion …aiming preserve surrounding healthy tissue reduce side effects associated surgery radiation…” Dedicated men’s health services led by Lael Stieglitz ,MD assist recovery after prostate procedures .
The expansion into cellular therapies was supported by donations from Bob & Patricia Paquette .
For additional information about services offered visit BaptistMDAnderson.com or call 1-844-632-2278.
