Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC)

Since 1976, UCLA’s cancer center has been officially designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a comprehensive cancer center with exemplary programs across the broad spectrum of basic research, clinical investigations, patient care, and cancer control and prevention. Today, the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 57 comprehensive cancer centers in the nation, the highest designation possible from the NCI. UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) receives this honor for maintaining the highest standards of excellence in patient care, education, basic science, clinical research and cancer prevention. Specialized outpatient care includes both surgical and medical oncology. According to the mission of UCLA JCCC, as defined by the NCI, NCI-designated cancer centers are a major source of discovery of the nature of cancer and of the development of more effective approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy. They also deliver medical advances to patients and their families, educate healthcare professionals and the public and reach out to underserved populations. They are characterized by strong organizational capabilities; institutional commitment; trans-disciplinary, cancer-focused science; experienced scientific and administrative leadership and state-of-the-art cancer research and patient care facilities. JCCC has established an international reputation in a number of areas, such as developing new cancer therapies, providing the best in experimental and traditional treatment, and expertly guiding and training the next generation of medical researchers.  

Numerous successful targeted therapies were developed based on basic science done in UCLA laboratories and later clinical research with UCLA patients. A few of the more well-known therapies include: Herceptin, a targeted breast cancer drug and the first approved treatment that attacks cancer at its genetic roots; Gleevec, a once-a-day pill that targets a common form of adult leukemia called chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML; Sprycel, also a pill that targets CML; Tarceva, a targeted lung cancer drug; and Avastin, a targeted drug for colorectal cancer and lung cancer. These treatments are just the most well-known of JCCC’s firsts. Since 2014, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved 22 therapies that were developed through research conducted in UCLA labs or clinical trials in UCLA Health clinics. With a membership of more than 500 physicians and scientists, JCCC is one of the largest comprehensive cancer centers in the nation. The UCLA Health JCCC has over 500 active cancer clinical trials at any given time that are enrolling patients, and offers many of these trials not only to residents of Los Angeles County but at partner institutions and affiliate sites across the country. The Center’s depth allows them to offer a wide array of benefits to patients. In 2024, UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has once again been recognized as a top 10 center in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report and has a long record of excellence by this and other measures. 

For more information, please visit the JCCC site.

Last updated
January 24, 2025