UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
America's Leading Cancer Center โ Where Breakthroughs Begin
About UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of the most distinguished cancer research and treatment institutions in the United States. As an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, it brings together the full spectrum of cancer care โ prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and cutting-edge research โ under one integrated program at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, Los Angeles.
The center has pioneered more than 21 FDA-approved cancer treatments since 2003, spanning immunotherapy, targeted therapy, cell therapy, and novel drug combinations. With over 600 researchers and clinicians, it is a global leader in translational oncology โ moving discoveries rapidly from the laboratory bench to the patient bedside. Its clinical trial portfolio spans virtually every cancer type, offering patients access to therapies unavailable anywhere else.
UCLA Jonsson is particularly recognized for its work in cell therapy. It developed CAR-NKT (chimeric antigen receptor natural killer T-cell) therapy as an off-the-shelf alternative to conventional CAR-T โ a potentially transformative advance that reduces the need for patient-specific manufacturing. The center is also home to established FDA-approved CAR-T programs and conducts investigational CAR-T trials for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
Ranked #8 in the United States and #1 in Los Angeles by U.S. News & World Report (2024), UCLA Jonsson draws patients from across North America and around the world. Its multidisciplinary tumor boards, precision medicine programs, and internationally recognized specialists make it the leading choice for patients with complex or advanced cancers seeking world-class care in the USA.
| Center at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Designation | NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| National Ranking | #8 USA, #1 Los Angeles (U.S. News 2024) |
| FDA Approvals Developed | 21+ since 2003 |
| Researchers & Clinicians | 600+ |
| Parent Institution | UCLA Health / Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center |
| Location | Westwood, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Accreditations | NCI, FACT, ACOS CoC, Joint Commission |
| Clinical Trials | 100+ active studies across cancer types |
Why Patients Choose UCLA Jonsson for Cancer Care
UCLA Jonsson combines unmatched research depth with compassionate, individualized patient care โ offering therapies and clinical trials that define the future of oncology.
Cancer Specialties & Advanced Capabilities
UCLA Jonsson offers comprehensive oncology care across all cancer types, with particular strength in immunotherapy, cell therapy, hematologic malignancies, breast cancer, neurological tumors, and pediatric oncology.
Advanced Treatment Capabilities
World-Renowned Oncology Leadership
UCLA Jonsson is led and staffed by internationally recognized oncologists, researchers, and surgeons who are not only expert clinicians but also active investigators advancing the science of cancer. The center's faculty regularly publish in top-tier journals, lead landmark clinical trials, and serve on national guideline committees.
Key leadership includes Dr. Michael Teitell (Director, UCLA Jonsson), Dr. Aditya Bardia (Deputy Director of Clinical Sciences, leading breast cancer research), Dr. Beth Glenn (cancer prevention and health disparities), and Dr. Mina Sedrak (geriatric oncology and cancer biology). Each division is staffed by subspecialty-trained faculty with deep expertise in their cancer domain.
For international patients, UCLA Jonsson provides dedicated international patient services, including multilingual coordinators, medical interpreter services, and a global patient liaison office to facilitate access from outside the United States.
CancerFax can help coordinate a second opinion or treatment consultation with UCLA Jonsson oncologists โ including case review, report preparation, and appointment facilitation.
World-Class Research & Treatment Infrastructure
Located within Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Jonsson integrates one of the nation's most advanced hospital systems with dedicated cancer research laboratories, cutting-edge imaging, and state-of-the-art treatment facilities.
- Level I Trauma Center
- 331-bed academic medical center
- LEED Silver certified facility
- 24/7 tertiary cancer care support
- Co-located with Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA
- Dedicated cancer research building (CHS tower)
- GMP-certified cell therapy manufacturing lab
- Genomics & bioinformatics core
- Translational oncology research suites
- NCI P30 Cancer Center Support Grant
- PET-CT and PET-MRI scanners
- 3T MRI including intraoperative MRI
- Digital pathology and molecular diagnostics
- Liquid biopsy and circulating tumor DNA testing
- Interventional radiology suite
- TrueBeam linear accelerators
- CyberKnife stereotactic system
- MRI-guided radiation therapy (MR-Linac)
- IMRT and VMAT planning
- Total body irradiation (TBI) suite for BMT conditioning
- FDA-approved CAR-T infusion program (axicabtagene, tisagenlecleucel)
- CAR-NKT investigational therapy platform
- Allogeneic and autologous HSCT program
- FACT-accredited transplant center
- Apheresis and stem cell processing lab
International Patient Services at UCLA Jonsson
UCLA Health welcomes patients from around the world seeking access to America's top-ranked cancer care. A dedicated international patient program provides end-to-end coordination โ from initial case review to treatment completion and follow-up.
What to Prepare Before Traveling to UCLA
- arrow_rightComplete medical records: pathology reports, biopsy slides, imaging CDs (CT, MRI, PET), lab results, operative notes
- arrow_rightMolecular/genomic profiling reports if available (next-generation sequencing, IHC)
- arrow_rightList of current medications, dosages, and prior treatment history
- arrow_rightValid passport and US B-1/B-2 visitor visa (or ESTA for eligible countries)
- arrow_rightTravel and health insurance with international coverage
- arrow_rightContact details for your treating oncologist at home for coordination
- arrow_rightArrange interpreter services in advance if needed (UCLA provides in-person and telephonic options)
CancerFax can prepare a structured oncology summary of your case records for UCLA review, help draft the appointment request, and guide your family through every step of the process.
Patient Care Facilities & Amenities
UCLA Jonsson patients are treated within the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center campus โ a world-class facility combining clinical excellence with thoughtfully designed patient spaces and comprehensive support services.
Family members and caregivers traveling with patients can access dedicated waiting areas, nearby hotel accommodations arranged through UCLA's international services team, and family support counseling throughout the treatment journey.
Location & Getting to UCLA Jonsson
UCLA Jonsson is located on the UCLA Health Westwood campus in Los Angeles, California โ easily accessible from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and well-connected to major freeways and public transit.
How CancerFax Helps
CancerFax is a specialist cancer access and patient-navigation platform. We help patients and families understand their options, organise medical records, coordinate hospital communication, and support cross-border treatment planning where appropriate.
We help collect and organise reports, scans, pathology, biomarker results, and treatment history for structured case review.
We communicate with hospitals or trial teams to assess whether a case may be suitable for further screening.
We support appointment coordination, document submission, translation, and direct communication with international departments.
For international patients, we help with practical coordination โ travel planning, hospital admission guidance, and local support.
If this option is not suitable, we help explore other relevant treatments, clinical trials, or advanced care pathways.
From inquiry through to follow-up, our coordinators provide a single point of contact for the family.
CancerFax does not guarantee treatment access, eligibility, or clinical outcome. Our role is to help patients access accurate information, structured review, and appropriate specialist pathways.
Frequently Asked Questions โ UCLA Jonsson for International Patients
International patients can initiate a consultation by contacting UCLA Health's International Services office directly, or through a patient navigation service like CancerFax. You will need to submit your complete medical records โ pathology, imaging, and lab reports โ for initial case review. CancerFax can prepare a structured oncology summary to facilitate this process.
Once records are reviewed, an appointment is scheduled with the relevant specialist. Telehealth consultations are available for initial opinions before travel, allowing patients to confirm their treatment plan before committing to the journey.
UCLA Jonsson offers comprehensive care across all cancer types, with particular strength in hematologic malignancies (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma), breast cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, genitourinary cancers, neuro-oncology, and melanoma. The center is especially recognized for cell therapy (CAR-T and CAR-NKT), immunotherapy, and precision oncology.
Its clinical trial program means that even for rare or refractory cancers, patients often have access to investigational treatments that are unavailable elsewhere.
CAR-NKT (chimeric antigen receptor natural killer T-cell) therapy is a next-generation cell therapy developed at UCLA Jonsson. Unlike conventional CAR-T therapy โ which requires manufacturing from the patient's own cells โ CAR-NKT uses an off-the-shelf platform derived from donor cells, potentially reducing manufacturing time, cost, and variability.
CAR-NKT is currently in clinical trials at UCLA. International patients who meet eligibility criteria may be able to enroll. CancerFax can help assess eligibility and coordinate the enrollment process for qualifying candidates.
UCLA Health works with many international insurance plans and can provide cost estimates for self-pay patients. International patients are strongly advised to arrange comprehensive travel and health insurance with international coverage before traveling. UCLA's financial counseling team can assist with insurance verification and payment planning.
CancerFax can provide guidance on estimated treatment costs and help coordinate with your insurer prior to travel.
The typical process involves: (1) submitting medical records for remote case review and receiving a treatment plan; (2) obtaining a US visa (B-1/B-2 or appropriate category) using the invitation letter from UCLA Health; (3) traveling to Los Angeles and completing any additional diagnostic workup on arrival; (4) beginning the treatment protocol (which may span several weeks to months); and (5) coordinating follow-up care with your home oncologist after return.
CancerFax provides end-to-end support through every step โ from record preparation and appointment scheduling to visa letters, accommodation, and follow-up coordination.
UCLA Jonsson maintains over 100 active clinical trials at any given time, spanning all cancer types and treatment modalities โ including early-phase first-in-human studies, immunotherapy trials, cell therapy protocols, targeted therapy combinations, and prevention studies.
International patients may be eligible for many of these trials. CancerFax can review your case details and identify which active trials may be relevant, then help coordinate the screening and enrollment process.
Send Your Medical Reports to UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center via CancerFax
CancerFax reviews your reports, coordinates your consultation with the UCLA Jonsson International Patient Services team, and supports you through every step โ from appointment scheduling and visa documentation to post-treatment follow-up care.