Texas Children’s Hospital and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have announced a new joint venture aimed at advancing pediatric cancer treatment.  

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 24 percent of Texas' population is under 18 years old, and Texas Oncology reports that over 1,700 children under the age of 20 are diagnosed with cancer, with nearly 200 losing their lives to the disease annually. This makes the need for life-saving treatments more crucial than ever. 

By combining the expertise and resources of two of the nation’s leading medical institutions, the partnership will expand access to clinical trials, catalyzing innovative discoveries that can bring treatments to young patients faster. 

“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,” Dr. Peter WT Pisters, president of MD Anderson, said in a press release. “MD Anderson and Texas Children’s offer unique strengths that when brought together will accelerate improved outcomes for patients in Texas and around the world.” 

Set to launch in early 2026, the joint venture will prioritize the creation of new facilities designed to enhance the overall patient experience, featuring state-of-the-art medical technology and a “best-in-class healing environment.” 

The care team will include 200 Texas Children’s pediatric oncology specialists who are full-time faculty with Baylor College of Medicine and more than 100 MD Anderson pediatric clinicians and researchers. 

“This groundbreaking collaboration between two proven leaders in pediatric and cancer care marks the beginning of a new era in the fight against childhood cancer,” Debra Sukin, president and chief executive officer of Texas Children’s, said in the release. “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.” 

The initiative will also invest in pediatric oncology education programs, ensuring that the next generation of medical professionals is equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to continue advancing pediatric cancer treatment. 

The partnership between Texas Children’s and MD Anderson showcases Houston’s dedication to advancing cancer research and pioneering life-saving treatments. In line with this commitment, MD Anderson furthered its efforts last year through a partnership with Rice University to establish the Cancer Bioengineering Collaborative. This collaboration focuses on both fundamental and translational cancer research, developing cutting-edge technologies for cancer detection and therapy, and securing external funding to support continued research and training. 

Learn more about Houston’s life sciences ecosystem.