About UNC Lineberger
UNC Lineberger brings together some of the most notable physicians and scientists in the country to:
- Investigate the causes of cancer at the cellular and genetic levels
- Conduct groundbreaking research leading to discoveries that drive new innovative approaches to treatment
- Identify environmental and behavioral factors that impact cancer risk and outcomes
- Translate findings into pioneering and innovative clinical trials

NCI Designation
As one of only 58 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, UNC Lineberger is rated as exceptional – the highest category – by the National Cancer Institute.
UNC Lineberger’s members hail from more than 40 departments from across the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, including experts in the following UNC Schools:
UNC Health Cancer delivers compassionate, whole-person care across North Carolina — and the power behind that care is UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Learn more about how UNC Lineberger and UNC Health Cancer work together.
For the People

With support from the state of North Carolina through the University Cancer Research Fund, our cancer researchers investigate the causes of cancer and develop new approaches to cancer treatment, develop and direct statewide programs in cancer prevention, and train the next generation of cancer investigators and providers.
To learn more about the discoveries and impact that UNC Lineberger investigators are making, review the latest UCRF legislative report.
Additionally, the UCRF helps fuel our work with communities across the state to develop targeted strategies to increase cancer screening, advance cancer prevention initiatives, and partner with local health care providers to improve cancer therapies.

The Lineberger Name
The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center was named for the Lineberger family of Belmont, NC, who were pioneers in the textile industry with a long, distinguished association with the University.
Four Lineberger brothers — Archibald ’21, Henry ’24, Harold ’26, and Joe ’33 — were instrumental in the creation of the Lineberger Cancer Research Center, beginning with the establishment of the Lineberger Foundation in 1944.
In 1977, the foundation pledged $1 million to a building fund for a proposed cancer research center building. This gift spurred others to contribute, and more than $4 million was raised. This funding provided the core financing for the original three-story research building that opened in 1984.