The official page of the University of Colorado Cancer Center - Colorado's only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.
Located on the Anschutz Medical Campus, the University of Colorado Cancer Center is Colorado’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, a distinction recognizing its outstanding contributions to research, clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. CU Cancer Center is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network®, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers working to establish and deliver the gold standard in cancer clinical guidelines. NCI website: http://www.cancer.gov
National Comprehensive Cancer Network Website: http://www.nccn.org
09/30/2025
Estimates vary, but a 2024 study drawing on Medicare-claim data for 2008-2017 estimated that emergency departments in the United States were involved in the initial identification of cancer for 20% to 25% of patients with cancer.
Read further about patients learning they have cancer at the ED ⬇️
The emergency department is where a surprisingly large percentage of cancer cases are first diagnosed or suspected, says Gregory Adams, DO.
09/29/2025
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults. OS most commonly spreads to the lungs, called metastases, and these patients have very poor outcomes. This CSU Animal Cancer Center research addresses a significant unmet medical need to develop new and specific treatment options for patients with lung metastatic OS.
Dogs naturally develop OS and lung metastases and are the best non-human model of this cancer. In this canine clinical trial, they are testing a novel combination of orally delivered drugs targeting metastasis-promoting white blood cells (WBC), in combination with reprogramming the patient’s cancer fighting WBC to seek out and destroy OS. We hope that this research will lead to safer and more effective treatments for humans and dogs with this devastating disease.
09/26/2025
"For people taking GLP-1 agonist medications who are getting ready for a colonoscopy, it’s important to let the GI team know about this," says CU Cancer Center member Swati Patel, MD.
Learn more about the effects drugs like Trulicity and Ozempic can have on colonoscopy and endoscopy prep ⬇️
GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs like Ozempic slow emptying of the stomach and bowel, affecting colonoscopy and endoscopy prep.
09/26/2025
09/24/2025
National Advanced Practice Provider Week honors the contributions of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other advanced practice providers (APPs).
In recognition, here are three APPs helping to transform patient care at the CU Cancer Center ⭐ ⬇️
In recognition of National Advance Practice Provider Week for 2025, here are three APPs helping to transform patient care at the CU Cancer Center.
09/24/2025
Congratulations to Wells Messersmith, MD, associate director for clinical services at the CU Cancer Center, for being named the inaugural holder of the new Emily Coe Atherton Endowed Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Research!
The CU Anschutz Office of Advancement is pleased to announce that the LGA Family Foundation and Frank Atherton, director of the Foundation, have established the Emily Coe Atherton Endowed Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Research with gifts totaling $2 million.
Thanks to advances in research and treatment, five-year survival rates for childhood cancers have improved dramatically in recent years.
For , read about the research happening here at the CU Cancer Center that is working to continue care ⬇️
With pediatric cancer survival rates on the rise, researchers at Children’s Hospital Colorado are looking to help survivors with long-term side effects.
09/22/2025
Michael Oliphant, PhD, assistant professor of pharmacology and the latest holder of a CU Cancer Center Rising Star Endowed Chair, is coming back to CU to establish his own lab aimed at researching cancer evolution and drug resistance.
Read more about Oliphant and his new lab ⬇️
Michael Oliphant, PhD, rejoins Heide Ford, PhD, at the CU Department of Pharmacology to study cancer evolution and drug resistance.
09/21/2025
“Once I got the treatment plan, it became a very clear opponent,” said Denver Broncos pass game specialist Zack Grossi.
Read more about Grossi's cancer journey ⬇️
Diagnosed with a yolk sac tumor in 2024, Denver Broncos coach Zack Grossi was treated by Laura Graham, MD, after a chance meeting in the ER.
09/19/2025
Kick off your October with the Colorado Cancer Coalition’s 2025 Annual Symposium! Learn more and RSVP for this event here: https://bit.ly/4pwZOIo
09/18/2025
“She’s so confident, and she makes you feel like she can walk on water,” Ron Uecker says of CU Cancer Center member Manali Kamdar, MD.
For , read more about Uecker’s cancer story and how a clinical trial overseen by Kamdar has kept his cancer in remission ⬇️
After relapsing after a stem cell transplant and CAR T-cell therapy, Ron Uecker was put on a clinical trial for his B-cell lymphoma by Manali Kamdar, MD.
09/17/2025
We're looking forward to this new groundbreaking pancreatic cancer research program, which will uncover treatment breakthroughs and improve our patient outcomes ⬇️
In a bold move to transform care for one of the most lethal and least understood cancers, has launched a pioneering data science initiative focused on pancreatic cancer.
Fueled by a $15 million philanthropic investment from Tom and Cydney Marsico, the initiative – a partnership between CU Innovations and the University of Colorado Cancer Center – builds on our legacy of innovation and compassionate care, and positions the campus at the forefront of cancer research and precision medicine.
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Located on the Anschutz Medical Campus, the University of Colorado Cancer Center is Colorado’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, a distinction recognizing its outstanding contributions to research, clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. CU Cancer Center is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network®, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers working to establish and deliver the gold standard in cancer clinical guidelines. CU Cancer Center is a consortium of more than 400 researchers and physicians at three state universities and six institutions, all working toward one goal: Translating science into life.
Mission
To discover, develop and deliver breakthroughs in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention that improve cancer care locally, nationally and globally. These efforts form the basis of a comprehensive spectrum of translational prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and outreach programs and provide a framework for training the next generation of cancer researchers and physicians.
Vision
To transform cancer research and practice in the state of Colorado by creating an integrated interdisciplinary nexus of clinicians and scientists across our statewide consortium that can leverage, synergize, marshal and focus resources and expertise to discover new ways to prevent and treat cancer.
NCI website: http://www.cancer.gov
National Comprehensive Cancer Network Website: http://www.nccn.org
