Dr. Maria Cancio

Dr. Maria Cancio, MD, is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist with specialized expertise in stem cell transplantation and gene therapy at MSK Kids, the pediatric program of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. As a member of the Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies (TCT) Service, she provides care for children and young adults with a broad range of life-threatening conditions, including cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes, bone marrow failure syndromes (both inherited and acquired), hemoglobinopathies, immunodeficiencies, and inherited metabolic disorders. She serves as Head of Clinical Operations for the Pediatric TCT program at MSK Kids, co-founder of the MSK Kids program for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (developed in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine), and Clinical Liaison with SUNY Downstate Medical Center. She also directs the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation educational series and participates actively in local and national committees.

Dr. Cancio's research is dedicated to advancing the field of stem cell transplantation through both clinical innovation and collaborative science. As principal investigator and co-investigator on multiple MSK and multicenter transplant and gene therapy clinical trials conducted in the United States and internationally, she designs treatment regimens aimed at reducing transplant-related toxicity through less aggressive chemotherapy combinations and precision dosing. Her work also explores modifying donor stem cells by removing cells that can trigger graft-versus-host disease, a serious post-transplant complication. She collaborates with other investigators on gene therapy approaches to cure hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell disease, and conducts research focused on improving transplant outcomes and reducing long-term effects in patients with Fanconi anemia and other bone marrow failure syndromes. Her studies also address severe transplant-related complications, including microangiopathy.

Dr. Cancio brings a deeply patient-centered philosophy to her clinical practice, taking pride in listening to each patient and treating them as an individual. She strives to deliver care grounded in current medical research and strengthened by multidisciplinary support, and she values the lasting relationships she builds with patients and their families over time. Outside of medicine, she enjoys attending sports events with her husband and son, reading, exploring other cultures, supporting the arts, and traveling with family and friends.