Neuro-Oncology Research
Research in the Neuro-Oncology department focuses on extending our understanding of the genetic abnormalities and molecular events responsible for the development, progression and spread of brain tumors. By translating laboratory findings into new treatments, we can offer more effective therapies and improve survival rates and quality of life for brain tumor patients.
We employ researchers recognized for their expertise in the areas implicated in the development and progression of central nervous system tumors. These researchers work closely with physician-scientists to integrate laboratory discoveries and clinical observations into treatment innovations.
In addition, our researchers participate in multi-institutional research efforts and collaborate with world-renowned brain tumor treatment programs.
Our Research Programs
Brain Cancer SPORE
Juan Fueyo, M.D., is the co-PI of this Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) for brain cancer at MD Anderson. Vinay Puduvalli, M.D., and Frederick Lang, M.D., are the co-Directors of the Brain Tumor Center, which established the SPORE. The center established the SPORE for the study of brain cancer under the leadership of principal investigator W. K. Alfred Yung, M.D. and co-principal investigator Oliver Bögler, Ph.D., in July of 2008. Since that time the SPORE grant has been renewed under the leadership of Lang and Fueyo, making MD Anderson one of only five programs in the nation with a Brain SPORE grant. This grant supports an outstanding multidisciplinary group of investigators whose research is both innovative and translational.
Brain Tumor Research Program
Neuro-Oncology faculty lead and participate in the Brain Tumor Research Program, a multidisciplinary collaboration. The Program (within the Brain Tumor Center) is co-led by Vinay Puduvalli, M.D., and Frederick Lang, M.D., and promotes collaborations among its members for laboratory and clinical research, treatment strategies for brain, skull base, and spinal tumors. This program spans 22 departments and involves more than 100 research and clinical scientists who focus on discovering the molecular changes that drive brain and spinal tumors and developing effective new treatments for these devastating tumors. The Brain Tumor Research Program supports interactions among its diverse group by sponsoring scientific retreats, meetings, training opportunities, and collaborative projects.
Glioblastoma Moon Shot
Vinay Puduvalli, M.D., is a leader of this Moon Shots Program. Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor in adults and the most frequent solid tumor in children. These aggressive tumors can occur in any lobe of the brain, but most commonly occur in the frontal and temporal lobes. While they don't metastasize outside of the brain, they are very infiltrative and spread into other parts of the brain quickly.
Current treatments for glioblastoma are few in number and short on effectiveness, but the Glioblastoma Moon Shot® is working to change that with a passionate, multidisciplinary team of experts who have helped shape the field. Through coordinated laboratory and clinical research, the Moon Shot is finding new vulnerabilities, testing new therapies and implementing better treatment approaches in the clinic to improve the lives of patients.
Cancer Neuroscience Program
The Cancer Neuroscience Program is a cross-disciplinary program led by Vinay Puduvalli, M.D., chair of Neuro-Oncology, Frederick Lang, M.D., chair of Neurosurgery, and Jim Ray, Ph.D., director of the Belfer Neurodegeneration Consortium. Jian Hu, Ph.D., associate professor of Cancer Biology, is the scientific director. Future endeavors will encompass brain tumor research, neuroscience and neuro-mental health, as well as the toxic side effects of cancer treatment. A generous private donation from Howard and Susan Elias to accelerate brain tumor and cancer neuroscience research is helping to fund the program.
As the program develops, program leadership is pleased to announce the appointment of Lance Kawaguchi as a member of its Program Advisory Board. Kawaguchi has been a transformative figure in brain cancer research and advocacy. His global leadership has brought significant advancements in the fight against brain tumors, including in his current role as the CEO of Cure Brain Cancer Foundation in Australia, securing substantial funding that enabled the initiation of innovative clinical trials. Kawaguchi’s passion and strategic vision makes him an exceptional addition as an advisor to the Cancer Neuroscience Program and to accelerate the mission of the program to rapidly move transformational research in neuroscience and nervous system tumors into clinical trials and new treatments for patients with cancer.
The NeuroHealth Initiative
Cancer treatments can cause toxicities to the nervous system, which can result in functional limitations for patients. Such toxicities can include severe pain and numbness in the extremities, memory problems, decreased attention span and difficulty with decision making, impacting quality of life.
The NeuroHealth Initiative (NHI) aims to prevent and address these nervous system toxicities, improve patient outcomes and set new care standards through research and clinical advancements.
Key goals of the NHI include developing a standardized workflow to assess neural health, conducting research on how frequently neurotoxicities happen with various cancer therapies, and discovering biomarkers that can predict patient outcomes.
This innovative initiative is led by a multi-disciplinary team including medical professionals in Neuro-Oncology, Cancer Neurology, Pain Medicine, Neuroradiology, Diagnostic Imaging, Imaging Physics, the Belfer Neurodegeneration Consortium, Prime-TR, ORION and other institutional cores focused on enhancing patient care and outcomes in cancer treatments. The program is funded by STRIDE, an internal sponsored research program designed to create breakthroughs in patient care.
We anticipate that the successful outcomes of this project will lead to a better understanding of how baseline neurologic status can influence the development of neurotoxicities during treatment and what factors can help predict which patients will develop treatment related neurotoxicities. Such discoveries can potentially transform the care of patients with cancer and identify ways to protect and support the nervous system during cancer treatment.
Vinay Puduvalli, M.D.
Co-Director, NeuroHealth Initiative
Professor and Chairman, Neuro-Oncology Department
Beau Biden Endowed Chair in Brain Cancer Research
Co-Director, Brain Tumor Center
Leader, MD Anderson CCSG Cancer Neuroscience Program
Co-Program Director, Cancer Neuroscience Program
Jim Ray, Ph.D.
Co-Director, NeuroHealth Initiative
Executive Director, Belfer Neurodegeneration Consortium
Chetna Wathoo, M.D., CCRP
Clinical & Data Director, NeuroHealth Initiative
Associate Director Research Planning & Development, Neuro-Oncology Department
Ben Anderson, M.H.A., M.B.A.
Finance Administrator, NeuroHealth Initiative
Department Administrator, Neuro-Oncology Department
Jasmine Blackmon, B.S.N., M.B.A., R.N.
Clinical Administrator, NeuroHealth Initiative
Clinical Administrative Director, Brain and Spine Center
NHI Executive Team
Professor, Chief, Section of Neuropsychology
Department of Neuro-Oncology
Patrick Dougherty, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Pain Medicine-Research
Max Wintermark, M.D., M.S., M.B.A
Professor, Chair
Department of Neuroradiology
Christopher Gibbons, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Symptom Research
Anne Kleiman, D.O.
Associate Professor
Department of Neuro-Oncology
Anuj Patel, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Neuro-Oncology
NHI Project Team Leads
Caroline Chung, M.D.
Chief Data Officer
Associate Professor
Radiation Oncology and Diagnostic Radiology
Jennifer Wargo, M.D.
Professor
Department of Surgical Oncology
Section of Melanoma Surgery
Larissa Meyer, M.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine
Ryan Huey, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology
Jonathan Nguyen, M.S.
Director of Research
Radiation Oncology
Kevin Nead, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Epidemiology
NHI Advisory Board Members
Albert C. Koong, M.D., Ph.D., FACR, FASTRO
Advisory Board Member, NeuroHealth Initiative
Division Head, Division of Radiation Oncology
Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology
Professor
Olga Keith and Harry Carothers Wiess Distinguished University Chair in Cancer Research, Division of Radiation Oncology
Richard Gorlick, M.D.
Advisory Board Member, NeuroHealth Initiative
Division Head, Division of Pediatrics
Chair, Department of Pediatrics Patient Care
Mosbacher Pediatrics Chair
Professor
Director, Department of Pediatric Sarcoma Research Laboratory
Salahadin Abdi, M.D., Ph.D., CBA
Advisory Board Member, NeuroHealth Initiative
Chair, Department of Pain Medicine
Tenured Professor
Clinical Medical Director
Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph.D., FACP
Advisory Board Member, NeuroHealth Initiative
Deputy Chair for Translational Research, Department of Gastrointestinal (GI) Medical Oncology
Professor
Leader, Department of Cancer Center Support Grant, GI Program
TRACTION Medical Director, Division of Therapeutics Discovery Division
Associate Vice President for Translational Integration
Program Partners
The NHI seeks to benefit all patients undergoing cancer therapies, especially those that place patients at high risk to develop toxicities of the nervous system. Such therapies include platinum compounds, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, oxaliplatin, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. The NHI will partner initially with medical oncology clinics and expand to radiation oncology and investigational therapeutics. Target home clinics may include Gynecological Oncology, GI oncology, Breast, Prostate, and Head and Neck.
Meetings
The NHI plans a quarterly seminar series beginning in FY25 featuring a combination of internal and external speakers. The NHI will host a research symposium on toxicities that arise from cancer therapies.
Clinical Program Overview & Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more about the advantages of participating in the program, patient appointments with the NeuroHealth care team, and how return visits are scheduled, view or print the MD Anderson program brochure and/or flyer.
Contact
For inquiries or additional information, please email NHIteam@mdanderson.org