Claire Dawson
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK or MSKCC) is a cancer treatment and research institution in Manhattan, New York City. It was formed in 1980 through the merger of the Memorial Hospital for the Treatment of Cancer and Allied Diseases and the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research. The Sloan-Kettering Institute was founded in 1945 by Alfred P. Sloan and Charles F. Kettering, who made their fortunes creating and selling leaded gasoline, a known carcinogen. Today, MSK is one of the world's leading cancer centers, employing over 1,200 physicians and treating approximately 400 types of cancer annually.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK or MSKCC) |
| Type | Cancer treatment and research institution |
| Location | Manhattan, New York City |
| Number of physicians | Over 1,200 |
| Number of cancer types treated | 400 |
| Year established | 1980 |
| Founders | John Jacob Astor III and his wife Charlotte |
| Funding sources | John D. Rockefeller Jr., Alfred P. Sloan |
| Notable treatments | Immunotherapy, chemotherapy |
| Awards and recognition | Ranked as one of the top cancer hospitals in the world, TIME100 Health in 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center currently employs over 1,200 physicians and treats approximately 400 types of cancer annually. The center has several facilities, including the Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center, a standalone outpatient facility, the Center for Image-Guided Intervention, the Sillerman Center for Rehabilitation, and the New York Proton Center, which was the first proton therapy center in New York State.
The Sloan-Kettering Institute was founded by Alfred P. Sloan and Charles F. Kettering, who also created and sold leaded gasoline, now known to be carcinogenic. The institute was originally funded by the sale of this gasoline.
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has been recognised for its contributions to cancer treatment. For instance, in 2025, two of its physician-scientists were named to the TIME100 Health list of the 100 most influential individuals in health. However, the center has also faced criticism and ethical concerns, including issues related to data commercialisation and conflicts of interest with for-profit companies.
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Sloan-Kettering Institute
The Sloan-Kettering Institute was established with funding from Alfred P. Sloan, who donated $4 million (equivalent to $69.9 million in 2024) through his Sloan Foundation. Charles F. Kettering, vice president and director of research at General Motors, played a key role in overseeing the organisation of a cancer research program based on industrial techniques.
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is one of the world's leading cancer centres, treating approximately 400 types of cancer annually. It is recognised as one of 72 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centres. The centre has a rich history, with its origins tracing back to 1884 when it was founded as the New York Cancer Hospital. Over the years, it has made significant contributions to cancer research and treatment, including the development of immunotherapy and pioneering techniques in image-guided intervention.
The Sloan-Kettering Institute, now part of MSK, has faced some controversies and ethical concerns. There have been allegations of commercialisation of patient data and conflicts of interest with for-profit companies. Despite these issues, MSK remains a renowned cancer centre, consistently ranked among the top cancer hospitals worldwide. It employs over 1,200 physicians and continues to be a leader in cancer research and treatment, striving to provide the best care for its patients.
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Sloan-Kettering founders
Sloan Kettering, now known as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, is one of the world's leading cancer centers. The hospital was founded through the merging of the Memorial Hospital for the Treatment of Cancer and Allied Diseases and the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research in 1980. The Sloan-Kettering Institute was founded in 1945 by Alfred P. Sloan, the former chairman and CEO of General Motors, and Charles F. Kettering, GM's vice president and director of research. Sloan donated $4 million to a research center in Manhattan, with Kettering agreeing to oversee the organization of a cancer research program.
The two men who founded Sloan Kettering also created and sold leaded gasoline, which has been linked to cancer. Sloan and Kettering lived long lives, with Kettering passing away at 82 and Sloan at 90. Neither seemed to express regret for their role in creating and promoting a carcinogenic poison. Instead, they focused on their achievements as industrial titans and used their wealth and acclaim to craft enduring legacies. Sloan and Kettering also founded their own foundations, with the Kettering Foundation continuing to fund projects focused on responsibility, justice, and trust.
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Sloan-Kettering treatments
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK or MSKCC) is a cancer treatment and research institution in Manhattan, New York City. It was formed in 1980 from the merger of the Memorial Hospital for the Treatment of Cancer and Allied Diseases and the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research. The Memorial Hospital was founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital, while the Sloan-Kettering Institute was founded in 1945 through a $4 million donation from Alfred P. Sloan, the chairman of General Motors. Sloan's donation was made through his Sloan Foundation, and Charles F. Kettering, GM's vice president and director of research, personally agreed to oversee the organisation of a cancer research program.
Today, MSK treats approximately 400 types of cancer annually and employs over 1,200 physicians. The treatments offered by MSK include immunotherapy, surgery, and integrative medicine. In 2022, a small trial of an experimental treatment found that tumours vanished in all 14 patients diagnosed with early-stage rectal cancer who completed the study. MSK also offers an innovative immunotherapy treatment known as checkpoint inhibitors. In 1986, researchers at MSK purified human G-CSF and patented the method of producing and using it under the name "human hematopoietic pluripotent colony-stimulating factor" (P-CSF).
In addition to its main campus in Manhattan, MSK has expanded into regional sites in Westchester, New York, Commack, Hauppauge, Rockville Centre on Long Island, and Bergen County, Monmouth County, and Basking Ridge in New Jersey.
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Sloan-Kettering's reputation
Sloan Kettering, now known as the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), is one of the world's leading cancer centres. It was founded by two men, Charles F. Kettering and Alfred P. Sloan, who also created and sold leaded gasoline—a destructive, carcinogenic poison. The centre treats approximately 400 types of cancer annually and is routinely ranked as one of the top cancer hospitals in the world.
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center was formed in 1980 from the merger of the Memorial Hospital for the Treatment of Cancer and Allied Diseases and the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research. The two medical entities had formally coordinated their operations since 1960. The Memorial Hospital was founded in 1884 by a group that included John Jacob Astor III and his wife, Charlotte. The hospital appointed William B. Coley as an attending surgeon, who pioneered an early form of immunotherapy to eradicate tumours. The Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research was founded in 1945 with a $4 million donation from Alfred P. Sloan, the chairman of General Motors. Charles F. Kettering, GM's vice president and director of research, personally oversaw the organisation of a cancer research program based on industrial techniques.
The centre has a reputation for providing "the best cancer care anywhere". Many patients and their families have expressed their trust and devotion to MSK, and have shared stories of how the centre saved their lives. MSK's specialised care teams provide personalised, compassionate, and expert care to patients of all ages. The centre employs over 1,200 physicians and scientists who collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research. This research is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it.
However, MSK has also faced criticism and ethical concerns. In the 1950s and 1960s, Chester M. Southam conducted pioneering clinical research on virotherapy and cancer immunotherapy at MSK. However, he performed experiments on people without their informed consent, including prisoners. Additionally, there have been concerns about the centre's financial relationships with for-profit companies and potential conflicts of interest. Some patients have also shared negative experiences, including long wait times and issues with receiving timely responses from doctors.
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Frequently asked questions
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK or MSKCC) is a cancer treatment and research institution in Manhattan, New York City. It was formed in 1980 from the merger of the Memorial Hospital for the Treatment of Cancer and Allied Diseases and the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research.
Sloan Kettering was founded by Alfred P. Sloan and Charles F. Kettering, who also created and sold leaded gasoline, a destructive carcinogenic poison. Sloan and Kettering lived long lives, with Kettering dying at 82 and Sloan at 90.
Yes, Sloan Kettering is a cancer treatment and research institution that treats 400 types of cancer and is routinely ranked as one of the top cancer hospitals in the world.
