Top Cancer Research Advances at MSK in 2025 | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Sloan Kettering Institute Marks 75 Years of Pioneering Cancer Research
The Sloan Kettering Institute (SKI) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) is celebrating 75 years of significant advancements in cancer research, marked by its dedication to understanding human biology and innovating cancer treatments. When it officially opened on April 16, 1948, it was hailed as “the world’s greatest cancer center" by an Associated Press report.
Throughout its history, SKI researchers have made groundbreaking discoveries, including the identification of cancer-associated genes, pathways regulating cell growth, and immune response regulators. Their work has been influential in the development of seminal chemotherapy drugs and modern immunotherapies. Joan Massagué, PhD, Director of SKI and Chief Scientific Officer of MSK, expresses optimism that the most impactful research contributions are still pending, driven by both current projects and the future endeavors of scientifically trained individuals who have emerged from the institute.
SKI operates as a hub of biological research, merging fundamental and translational science focused on both enhancing scientific understanding and developing innovative cancer therapies. This dual focus has resulted in notable recognitions, as SKI members frequently publish in top scientific journals and have received prestigious awards such as the Nobel Prize and the Lasker Award.
The institute's roots can be traced back to a 1945 announcement by philanthropist Alfred P. Sloan and inventor Charles F. Kettering, who helped establish SKI with a generous donation. Initially separate from Memorial Hospital, SKI and the hospital formally united in 1980.
A hallmark of the Sloan Kettering Institute is its unwavering commitment to basic science. Researchers work without a strict requirement to focus exclusively on cancer, allowing for a broad exploration of biological processes. SKI’s collaborative environment, featuring around 100 specialized laboratories, encourages innovative interactions across diverse research fields, fostering discoveries that can lead to significant breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
Training new scientists is another critical facet of SKI, exemplified by the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Science, which has enrolled over 200 students since its inception. The recent introduction of a doctoral program in cancer engineering reflects a commitment to integrating technological advances into cancer research.
As SKI looks ahead, Dr. Massagué emphasizes a renewed focus on enhancing basic research support, strategic technological investments, and expediting the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical applications. "As we approach the next 75 years, the collaborative spirit and caliber of research at the institute have never been stronger,” she states, reinforcing the integration of extensive clinical resources and exceptional scientific inquiry in the ongoing effort against cancer.