Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania, neurosurgeon, scientist, innovator, advancing clinical trials to meet unmet needs in neuro-oncology
Dr. Kati Kariko speaks from the heart as she relates the surprise at the 3:40 am call, tears in her eyes, how she started the seminal work on mRNA in the Dept. of Neurosurgery
@PennNSG
, the advocacy of David Langer,
@drdavidlanger
, "Neurosurgery needs a molecular biologist", the
Kudos to Muskaan Aggarwal! With an interest in immunology + oncology, she summarizes the science behind the Phase 3 trial, led by Dr. Linda Liau,
@UCLANsgy
,
@JAMAOnc
, "Dendritic Cell Vaccines: A New Frontier of Treatment for
#GBM
"
@PennNSG
#immunotherapy
The FUTURE OF NEUROSURGERY is in the hands of our medical students. Here are the Spectacular Seven, 5.14.2023, at their
#commencement
. All are headed to elite neurosurgical programs, destined for greatness. In the center, our chair,
@DanielYoshor
, prioritizing education.
@NeuroOnc
Currently, in (chilly) Philly, the temp = 42 degrees, Tampa = 75. Can't wait for the amazing meeting. Excited to be part of the Penn Brain Tumor Center team. Much attention on CTIM-27 (Liau LM...et al. Dendritic Cell vaccine) >2,000 views so far. Looking forward to our PVI-CME.
Superb lecture 10.27 by Dr. Linda Liau on targeting treatment-induced resistance in glioblastoma, organized by
@PennRadOnc
[Yi Fan], and
@PennNSG
[
@DanielYoshor
], elucidating the science behind the UCLA SPORE, glioblastoma treatment resistance, and exciting future clinical trials
@RS_Preprints
This is highly anticipated, supportive data —under review—by the team of Suyash Mohan, Sanjeev Chawla, and the work of Laiz de Godoy using a multiparametric (mp) MRI approach independently reporting increased survival using a separate U. Penn externally matched data base to show
@PennNSG
The exciting results of this Phase I/II study
support and extend the findings of our large Phase 3 study, published
@JAMAOnc
, led by Dr. Linda Liau, Keyoumars Ashkan, MD, Dr. Marnix Bosch and the
#DCVax
team.
A quick preview of CTIM-27, abstract published 11.14 in
#NeuroOncology
dendritic cell vaccine improves survival...results of a phase 3 trial. (Liau L, Ashkan K, Brem S... Bosc M, et al), scheduled for Sunday, 8:20 to 8:30 a.m. presented by Dr. Linda Liau.
#immunotherapy
#vaccine
The complexity, heterogeneity of the overlapping pathways (redundancy) as well as the mutational drift (oncoplasticity) contribute to glioblastomas being resistant to therapy. Excited that the
#dendritic
cell vaccine could be part of the future solution.
There's still time to register for the CME, , developed in partnership with ABTA, Thursday, 11.17.22, 5:15 PM, dinner, Ballroom D, Tampa Convention Center, organized by
@PeerView
, featuring
@BrainTumorDoc
and Suriya Jeyapalan. Will preview CTIM-27, DCVax
🎆🎇7/1/2021: Penn Neurosurgery rolls out the red (and blue) carpet for Dr. Brian Jankowitz, who now leads our Cerebrovascular Surgery Division. In addition to extraordinary surgical skills, he has >190 articles (PubMed) and led many groundbreaking trials.
@BrianJankowitz
Looking forward to the White House Moonshot Forum on Brain Cancer in one hour (1:00 PM E.T.) Rumor has it that our own Dr. Donald M. O'Rourke from the Penn Brain Tumor Center will be in attendance, as well as potential speakers,
@MichaelLimMD
and Shawn-Hervey-Jumper, MD.
The validation of the mp-MRI based prediction model to differentiate pseudoprogression from true progression is described in the current issue of the Journal of Translational Medicine. Ongoing work was presented this week
@TheASNR
In addition, the all-important "tail" of the survival curves, 7/37 patients (5/7 GBM) were still alive at the time of publication. Long-term survivorship, and the other data, support the continued development of dendritic cell vaccines in the treatment of high-grade gliomas.
A major unmet need in
#neurooncology
is the ability to differentiate progression from pseudoprogression. Using histopathology as the "ground truth", there was an overall concordance rate of 76.5%.
Analysis reported independently by Amy A. Pruitt, MD, FAAN, William N. Kelley Professor of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, an esteemed colleague, master clinician, an extraordinary educator, and a true pioneer in neuro-oncology. Kudos!
#Neurology
#Pennneurology
At 30M, survival was 11.1 vs 5.1% (controls). The study is deemed important because: i) addition of DCVax to SOC resulted in clinically meaningful and statistically significant extension of survival compared to matched, contemporaneous, external controls receiving SOC alone.
Historic day today, 3.21.23, marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the American Brain Tumor Association,
@theABTA
by Susan Kramer. Kudos to other members of the Scientific Advisory Council, seeking a cure. Meet Hope Head On. H
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-v5xrZ93eA
Kudos to Saba Haile Tegegne! With an interest in immunology, for her capstone project as a medical student in
@PennNSG
, she summarizes the recently published work of a Phase I/II
#clinicaltrial
of allogeneic
#dendriticell
#vaccine
targeted
The article notes Median OS for 232 patients with nGBM on DCVax = 19.3M from randomization (22.4M from surgery) vs 16.5M from controls; Survival at 48 M = 15.7% vs 9.9%; mOS at 60M, 13.0M vs 5.7%. Survival for 64 patients with rGBM =13.2M vs. 7.8 M, controls. At 24M, 20.7 vs 9.6%
The 11th Neuro-Oncology
#braintumor
Symposium.
We have attendees From Around the World, 16 countries and 30 states.
It is still possible for you to register and receive our educational materials for up to one year. Click below to register.
ii) noteworthy tails of long-term survivors; iii) novel elements including: a) trial design with external matched controls; b) therapy based on the concept of provoking a broader, anti-tumor immune response than is available from conventional therapies of checkpoint blockade
Kudos to
@StephenBagleyMD
, Zev Binder, Donald M. O'Rourke and our team of collaborators for the publication today
@NatureCancer
on the Phase 1 study of CAR T cell therapy with
#pembrolizumab
, showing biological activity in the
#TME
, but limited clinical efficacy, pointing to
Key points of the Lepski et al. study: i) GDC - Genomic Data Commons as an external control population; ii) OS 75% greater in vaccinated GBM group (82% RRR-relative reduction in risk- of death at any timepoint); iii) 200% greater OS in the vaccinated astrocytoma 4 group (47% RRR)
Historic day today with a unique blend of inspiration, and celebration marking the 2023 Nobel Prize Awards to Dr. Katalin (Kati) Kariko
@kkariko
and Dr. Drew Weissman.
Wonderful celebration today led by
@DanielYoshor
to celebrate our
@PennNSG
7 medical students who had exceptional success in
#MatchDay
,
#Match
2023. Special cameo appearance and congratulations from Suzanne Rose, MD, MSEd, Senior Vice
Excited that PENN just opened a new trial (PURSUE) for brain metastases after Radiation Therapy requiring neurosurgical resection. PET scanning with F18-Fluciclovine can distinguish between necrosis (Treatment effect) vs. Progression. We previously published using F18-PET for GBM
So grateful for our partners at NBTS
@NBTStweets
,
@dfarons
and Kirk Tanner, PhD,
@NBTSCSO
, for their generous educational grant in support of tomorrow's 11th Neuro-Oncology Brain Tumor Symposium. Register today to learn about the five technological
Kudos to the all-star team,
@QOstrom
,
@NCIJBSloan
,
@KristinWaite
, Carol Kruchko, Mackenzie Price, Corey Neff, Gino Cioffi, who today published the 2023 CBTRUS Statistical Report- the most widely cited article in our field of neuro-oncology.
#SNO2023
@NeuroOnc
@NCITomMisteli
@NCIResearchCtr
@NIHDirector
@NIH
@NCI
The appointment of Dr. Monica Bertagnolli is great news for the NIH, the scientific and cancer communities. With her experience/ expertise in clinical trials, as well as her research focus on inflammation and how it underscores cancer development, as well as many other human
Tremendous, historic event last night to honor Dr. Sean Grady and Dr. Bert O’Malley for their incredible leadership and growth of the departments, respectively, Neurosurgery/ ENT-Head & Neck Surgery. Many classic photos, speeches to be “unveiled”. A moment that will live forever.
This week we honor the brave patients who are fighting valiantly against
#glioblastoma
. Dr. Donald O'Rourke and I want you to hear the story of Rachel Rabinowitz, robbed of a promising life by the beast, and whose mother Kathy Savitz has been an amazing advocate for research.
Looking forward to tomorrow's historic symposium honoring the contributions of M. Sean Grady, MD, a neurosurgical giant who has shaped American Neurosurgery and the work of countless neurosurgeons. The symposium starts at 1:30, ends at 4:30, but the Grady legacy lives forever.
Proud to serve on the
@theABTA
Discovery Grant Review Committee chaired brilliantly by
@CraigHorbinski
, working with colleagues
@ManishKAghi
,
@KeithLigon5
, E. Antonio ("Nino") Chiocca, Minesh Mehta, and other superstars. Exciting new targets, technologies & translational science!
6.19.21 - Dr. Daniel Yoshor and Dr. Sean Grady gave a spirited tribute to our chief residents, Patti Zadnik Sullivan (Spine Fellowship, Brown), Tracy Ma Flanders (Pediatric NS Fellowship, CHOP), Ryan Salinas (U. Washington-Seattle), receiving their personalized Penn chairs.
NEUROSURGERY MATCH DAY - The Ides of March- The Ideas of March- The Yes of March
(Previously posted as an X Article) Today,
#MatchDay2024
, and fingers crossed for all the aspiring neurosurgeons. We will soon discover the fortunate few who matched to
@PennNSG
and other wonderful
@nickeworth
Remember what our Philly sports hero (Eagles QB) Jalen Hurts says, “I found my purpose before others formed their opinion.”
Neurosurgery is an exceptional profession. Maximize it. Maximize yourself. Ignore other’s biases, opinions, zingers. There will always be naysayers, and
Dr. Isaac Chen, Residency Program Director
@PennNSG
points to the graduates. Following 3 powerful, from-the-heart talks, from each of the graduating residents, Svetlana Kvint, Ashwin Ramayya, Saurabh Sinha, receive their precious, hard-earned, magnificent certificates.
@DrBonillaOnc
@DavidFajgenbaum
@EveryCure
@DefeatDIPG
Wow! This is an amazing story of the power of personalized genomic medicine coupled with targeted therapy and using a repurposed drug to cure an incurable disease. The young man should be the poster child for Every Cure and proof-of-concept for the recently awarded ARPA_H grant
Congratulations to Dr. Yi Fan,
@JDWinkler1956
, Stephen Bagley, MD, MSCE and Penn Team for exciting discovery of a small molecule, toosendanin, which suppresses IL-6, reverses macrophage-mediated immunosuppression to overcome
#GBM
resistance to
While the city of
#Philly
celebrates
#SuperBowlLVII
tonight, there are
#Eagles
and
@PennNSG
that serve the community 24/7/365. This week, we celebrate the historic ribbon-cutting and official, new home for the Penn Presbyterian (Presby) Medical Center- Neurosurgery Service
Dr. Katalin Kariko,
@PennNsgy
’s first
#NobelPrize
winner with our chair of
#Neurosurgery
,
@DanielYoshor
on 2.15.24 to hear an inspiring lecture from Dr. David Langer, a
@PennNsg
alumnus, and Grand Rounds speaker on “Invisible Forces that Shape the Medical Career”. (This grand
Weekend highlight was the 7.24.21 meeting of CBTRUS, its Board of Directors and the
@theABTA
leadership. Kudos to Carol Kruchko, President, and PIs
@NCIJBSloan
and
@QOstrom
who annually produce the widely cited CBTRUS report published in Neuro-Oncology.
@BrainTumorStats
Nothing is ‘hard,’ — it’s only your resistance to it that makes it so. by
@Alexmathers84
One of the better essays I have ever read. For your daily dose of inspiration. Happy Easter!
Exceptional, memorable evening last night to celebrate our three graduating neurosurgical residents at the Rittenhouse Hotel, honoring Svetlana Kvint, MD, Ashwin Ramayya, MD, PhD, and Saurabh Sinha, MD.
@PennNSG
@PennMedicine
#neurosurgery
Stellar lecture today
@PennNSG
Grand Rounds by Dr. Amy Pruitt: the unexpected neurological consequences of the I/O Revolution. A comprehensive review, timely, as the NRG-Brain-010 trial (Atezo + Toci + SRS) now open nationwide; next-gen of PENN CAR-T therapy set to open in 2022.
The first Kim Family Lectureship, brilliantly given by William J. Mack, MD, a sweeping lecture covering surgical nuances, translational studies of inflammation, blood-brain barrier, cognitive function, and the neurosurgical career.
@PennNSG
@PennMedicine
#carotid
#inflammation
6/25/22, 3 Chief Residents each give a poignant, memorable, emotional tribute to their family, friends, fellow residents, O.R. staff, and the faculty mentors.
@PennNSG
@DanielYoshor
@sixers
@PennMedicine
Kudos to Dr. Amankulor for his surgical skills and to Georgina Weber for her bravery and trust in Penn Medicine. Where surgery is performed has a huge impact on the ultimate outcome and we are seeing more and more long- term survivors. For Georgina Weber, her expectant baby, and
Great celebration, 4.28.22, at the historic Union League to celebrate major birthday of H. Richard Winn, MD, organized by Sean Grady, Matthew Howard, and raise funds for the Winn Prize. Joined by David Kung and James Schuster.
@SNS_Neurosurg
,
@PennNSG
,
#AANS2022
,
#Neurosurgery
On a historic day (5.11.1751 Pennsylvania Hospital charter granted),
@PennNSG
makes history anew the KIM FAMILY Lectureship by Dr. Michael Lawton,
@mtlawon
(winner of 2023 AANS CUSHING AWARD). First, presentation by Dr. Susanna Howard,
#ECICBypassGraft
by Dr. Jan-Karl Burkhardt
@SameerShethMD
@BCMNeurosurgery
- great keynote talk: Psychiatric Neuromodulation. Note the expert panel & summaries. Take-home message: "Circuit- Based dissection provides a new world of opportunities in human neuroscience... Network disorders demand network-based therapies".
Kudos to the "Penn Pioneers" leading the way at
#AANS2023
, starting with
@DanielYoshor
, FAANS, Charles Harrison Frazier Professor and Chair, updating progress, Monday, 4.24.23, " Visual Cortex Prostheses"
Kudos to Grace Kimbaris, MD, Lovisa Ljungberg, MD who organized a successful Brain-Behavior course for Penn MS1 students featuring with hands-on demonstrations, including
#thrombectomy
taught by
@visishs
. We are all "On-Call" for the Cerebrovascular Division
@PennNSG
.
Kudos to GKS team
@PennNSG
for publication by
@MariaPunchak89
, Dmitriy Petrov
@cheesesndwch
, John Lee
@DrLeeBrainSurg
, on outcomes in patients with multiple metastases. Survival effects of surgery on "dominant" lesion, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy analyzed.
@PennNSG
proud to host
@MichaelLimMD
, 1.18.23, at the dinner in Dr. Lim's honor in Rittenhouse Square with many of the spirited, brain tumor/vascular neurosurgeons in attendance. Collegiality, mentorship, learning never gets old. In advance of the 27th Sandra Altman Lectureship.
Delighted to learn that our great colleague, Mark Gilbert, MD,
@MRGneuroonc
, Chief/Senior Investigator,
@NIHBrainTumor
, CCR (Deputy Director), NCI is the 2022 recipient of the Joel A. Gingras Award, the highest honor of
@theABTA
, for leadership of impactful clinical trials.
@DanielYoshor
spoke tonight at the Philadelphia Neurological Society, on developing next-gen visual cortical prosthetic devices (VCPs), e.g. the Orion VCP. Dynamic current steering showing promise to deliver visual information. restoring vision, and hope!
@PennNSG
welcomes Shreya Parchure, MSE, a second-year PSOM student who starts her neurosurgery rotation today at H.U.P. Her research interest is in engineering personalized
#neuromodulation
approaches for cognitive and psychiatric disorders.
@PennMedicine
@pennsurgery
@PennNSG
welcomes Muskaan Aggarwal, a Penn MD-PhD student. She attended
@MIT
, worked at Harvard, studied the immune response to flu, and co-authored work linking chromosomal aneuploidy, Myc oncogene to tumorigenesis & response to tamoxifen.
At 7.24.21
@theABTA
and CBTRUS meeting, Matt Tifft made a cameo appearance - incredibly inspiring story of personal courage and survivorship- told by a young
@NASCAR
racing star turning car No.78 into a fund-raising vehicle (!) for ABTA, truly heroic race for a cure.
@matt_tifft
Exciting article in
@nytimes
with
@elonmusk
and our own
@DanielYoshor
. Imagine if the vast resources of
@elonmusk
would synergize with the great wisdom of
@DanielYoshor
to create a device to gift vision to the blind. Science = "the art of the soluble."
25 (or more) years of work and today an "overnight success". Two of the most deserving colleagues whose work has led to the COVID mRNA vaccines-- saving millions of lives, the power of translational science, grit, and perseverance. Incredibly inspiring. Bravo!! Never Give Up!
Thrilled to learn today (7/2/21) that our NRG-BN010 clinical trial, targeting IL-6, is set for accrual as of 7.6.21. Kudos to Yi Fan and Steve Bagley who took a genomic-based hypothesis to the lab (YF) and then translated it to the clinic (SB). There is a new weapon to fight GBM.