Massey Cancer Center

Massey Cancer Center
Name	Massey Cancer Center
Established	1974
Type	Comprehensive Cancer Center
Parent	Virginia Commonwealth University
Location	Richmond, Virginia
Leader	Edward L. Truell

Massey Cancer Center is a comprehensive cancer center affiliated with Virginia Commonwealth University and located in Richmond, Virginia. The center conducts basic, translational, and clinical research while providing oncology services, integrating efforts across institutions such as VCU Health, Children's Hospital of Richmond, and regional partners. It participates in national consortia including the National Cancer Institute and collaborates with organizations like the American Cancer Society, the National Institutes of Health, and regional health systems.

History

The center was founded amid a wave of institutional designations following the creation of the National Cancer Act of 1971 and the expansion of the National Cancer Institute network. Early leadership drew faculty from Johns Hopkins Hospital, Duke University School of Medicine, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to build programs in surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. Over decades it established programs linked to landmark initiatives such as multicenter trials coordinated by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and partnerships with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Major expansions paralleled construction projects at VCU Medical Center, integration with clinical systems like Richmond VA Medical Center, and alignment with research efforts at institutions such as Rutgers University and University of Pennsylvania.

Mission and Research Programs

The center's mission aligns with priorities set by the National Cancer Institute and the American Association for Cancer Research: to advance discovery, translate science, and improve patient outcomes. Research programs cover molecular oncology, immuno-oncology, cancer prevention, and survivorship studies, with investigators publishing in journals like Nature, Science, and The New England Journal of Medicine. Collaborative research networks include the Cancer Genome Atlas initiatives, precision medicine consortia connected to NIH Common Fund programs, and trials through groups such as the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. Core facilities support genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and translational pharmacology, linking to regional biorepositories and technology platforms at University of Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Clinical Services and Patient Care

Clinical services encompass multidisciplinary care in medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, hematology, and supportive care, coordinated through clinics at VCU Medical Center and community sites. Specialized programs address breast cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal malignancies, and pediatric oncology in collaboration with Children's Hospital of Richmond. The center participates in clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, cooperative groups like SWOG Cancer Research Network, and pharmaceutical partnerships including trials with firms like Pfizer and Merck & Co.. Support services integrate palliative care teams modeled after initiatives at Dana–Farber Cancer Institute and survivorship programs influenced by standards from the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Education and Training

Training programs include oncology fellowships accredited through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, postdoctoral research positions funded by National Institutes of Health grants, and graduate education linked to the VCU School of Medicine and VCU School of Pharmacy. The center mentors residents from programs like Richmond University Medical Center and hosts visiting scholars from institutions including Mayo Clinic and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Continuing medical education events feature speakers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and national meetings such as the ASCO Annual Meeting and the AACR Annual Meeting.

Community Outreach and Prevention

Community engagement initiatives partner with statewide organizations such as the Virginia Department of Health, local chapters of the American Cancer Society, and grassroots groups in the Greater Richmond Region. Prevention programs emphasize tobacco cessation modeled on CDC campaigns, HPV vaccination efforts following guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and screening initiatives aligned with recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force. Outreach includes mobile screening units, partnerships with federally qualified health centers inspired by programs at Geisinger Health System, and education campaigns coordinated with the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Funding and Affiliations

Funding sources include grants from the National Cancer Institute, awards from the National Institutes of Health, philanthropic support from regional foundations and donors, and contracts with industry sponsors such as Novartis and Roche. Institutional affiliation with Virginia Commonwealth University provides academic appointments and infrastructure, while clinical integration with VCU Health facilitates patient care. The center maintains collaborative agreements with regional hospitals including Bon Secours Health System, academic partners like University of Virginia, and research consortia such as the Clinical and Translational Science Awards program.

Category:Cancer research institutes in the United States Category:Virginia Commonwealth University