In 1978, the University of California, San Diego Cancer Center was founded as one of just 45 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Centers in the U.S. and the only one in the San Diego region.

In 2001, the Center achieved the status of comprehensive cancer center. The Center was renamed the Moores Cancer Center (MCC), and in 2005 a new 270,000 square-foot Cancer Center building was opened to consolidate cancer research and patient care under one roof.