Advances in Management of Pediatric Brain Tumors

Paul B. Fisher, MPh, PhD, FNAI, Professor and Chairman, Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Director, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine Thelma Newmeyer Corman Chair in Cancer Research in the VCU Massey Cancer Center, VCU, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, and Emeritus Professor, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY. Dr. Fisher is among the top 10% of NIH funded investigators over the past 35-years, published approximately 625 papers and reviews, and has 55 issued patents. He pioneered novel gene/discovery approaches (subtraction hybridization), developed innovative therapeutic approaches (Cancer Terminator Viruses), presented numerous named and distinguished lectures, founded several start-up companies, was Virginia Outstanding Scientist of 2014 and elected to the National Academy of Inventors in 2018. Dr. Fisher is a prominent nationally and internationally recognized cancer research scientist focusing on understanding the molecular and biochemical basis of cancer development and progression to metastasis and using this garnered information to develop innovative approaches for diagnosing and treating cancer. He discovered and patented novel genes and gene promoters relevant to cancer growth control, differentiation and apoptosis. His discoveries include the first cloning of p21 (CDK inhibitor), human polynucleotide phosphorylase, mda-9/syntenin (a pro-metastatic gene), mda-5 and mda-7/IL-24, which has shown promising clinical activity in Phase I/II clinical trials in patients with advanced cancers. Dr. Fisher alsohas a documented track record as a successful seasoned entrepreneur. He was Founder and Director of GenQuest Incorporated, a functional genomics company, which merged with Corixa Corporation in 1998, traded on NASDAQ and was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline in 2006. He discovered the cancer-specific PEG-Prom, which is the core technology of Cancer Targeting Systems (CTS, Inc.), a Virginia/Maryland-based company (at Johns Hopkins Medical Center) focusing on imaging and therapy (“theranostics ) of metastatic cancer (2014) by Drs. Fisher and Martin G. Pomper. He co-founded InVaMet Therapeutics (IVMT) and InterLeukin Combinatorial Therapies (ILCT) with Dr. Webster K. Cavenee (UCSD) (2017/2018).

David D. Limbrick Jr., MD, PhD is Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and VCU Health. He holds the James W. and Francis G. McGlothlin Chair in Neurosurgery. His clinical focus is on pediatric brain tumors and innovative surgical methods for brain tumors as they occur across the lifespan. Dr. Limbrick is internationally regarded for his expertise in neuro-endoscopic treatment of intracranial disease and for treating complex disorders of the craniovertebral junction, including the Chiari malformations. He has received the Public Service Citation from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons for international neurosurgical relief work, the Humanism in Medicine Award from Washington University School of Medicine, and the Innovator Award from the Hydrocephalus Association. Dr. Limbrick’s primary research focus is on cerebrospinal fluid disorders, where he is active in basic, clinical, and translational research. He serves as Principal Investigator for two major multicenter randomized controlled trials: Posterior Fossa Decompression with or without Duraplasty for Chiari Type I Malformation and Syringomyelia and Endoscopic Versus Shunt Treatment of Hydrocephalus in Infants. He is Chair of Biospecimens and Neuro-Imaging for the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network and has been the Principal Investigator for the Park-Reeves Syringomyelia Research Consortium since its inception. His research has been continuously funded by NIH, PCORI, and other federal agencies since he joined the faculty in 2008. Most recently, he was the recipient of a program project award (PPG) and an R25 educational grant with a long-term goal of increasing the diversity of the pediatric neurosciences workforce. Dr. Limbrick has authored more than 270 peer-reviewed journal articles and 15 book chapters and has given more than 150 national/international presentations. He has edited two books and serves on the Editorial Board of Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, Fluids and Barriers of the CNS, and Neurosurgery Practice, where he is the section editor for Pediatric Neurosurgery. He serves as Treasurer of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Joint Section for Pediatric Neurosurgery, Secretary of the Accreditation Council for Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowships (ACPNF), and on the Executive Committee of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons (ASPN). He is a member of the Academy of Neurological Surgeons and the Society of Neurological Surgeons and serves on the National Advisory Committee of the Neurosurgeon Research Career Development Program (NRCDP). Nationally, he serves on the boards of Cure Hydrocephalus, Bobby Jones Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation, Rudy Schulte Institute, and the Hydrocephalus Association, including the HA Washington Advocacy Committee. Edit

Mohamed S. Abdelbaki is Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine, MO, USA.