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Brain Trust FOR MORE TH A N a quarter of a century, the Brain Tumor Cell Bank at Upstate Medical University has maintained a collection of brain tumor samples. Recently, researchers from Upstate Medical University and Cornell University have formed the Brain Tumor Research Group to use this valuable resource to test new treatments for brain cancer. "We perform leading-edge research into finding the causes of brain tumors," says Lawrence Chin, MD, Chair of Neurosurgery and Robert B. and Molly G. King Endowed Professor of Neurosurgery at Upstate Medical University. "Using an advanced molecular diagnostic test, we analyze every brain tumor to understand its genetics. Our goal is to draw on that information to find the best treatment for each patient." including the latest in clinical trials," Dr. Bogart says. "It's all delivered by a team that is dedicated to the patient's specific type of cancer." A STRONG TEAM Lawrence Chin, MD, Chair of Neurosurgery and Robert B. and Molly G. King Endowed Professor of Neurosurgery at Upstate Medical University, presides over some of the most crucial, and perhaps most frightening, events his patients will ever experience — surgery to remove and diagnose their tumors or other lesions. "For most patients, fears about brain surgery are unfounded. The majorit y of people do quite well a f ter a bra in tumor operation," Dr. Chin says. " We perform surgery in the safest way possible, using the best equipment available, and we're with patients every step of the way." The etiolog y and variety of brain lesions are numerous, and that variability is matched by the wide experience of Upstate Cancer Center's neurosurgeons. The center's large, highly skilled team and state-of-the-art equipment ensure that the Department of Neurosurgery has deep expertise to draw upon. "For brain, pituitary and skull-base tumors, the experience and expertise of an academic medical center — including the experience of the ICU nurses, which is critical — creates an environment where brain tumors are best treated," Dr. Chin says. "Here, there are always team members available, including pediatric and adult neurosurgeons, who are experts in dealing with brain tumors and whom I can consult with." Upstate Cancer Center is home to the only intraoperative MRI suite in upstate New York and is equipped to administer radiosurger y with the adva nced Ga mma Knife Perfexion system. The center also acquired a laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) system, which uses thermal energ y to treat tumors, epilepsy and other conditions. "Our ex perience in radiosurger y is unmatched in the region," Dr. Chin says. "I have been performing radiosurgery for nearly 25 years, treating thousands of patients. Studies show that patient results are directly dependent on the experience of the surgeon as well as the volume of procedures at the medical center." ACCESS TO CLINICAL TRIALS In addition to the depth of experience found at the academic medical center, Upstate Cancer Center o„ers unparalleled access to clinical trials, which can both benefit individual patients and further health care's ongoing mission to defeat cancer. Jason Wallen, MD, Chief of the Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology Program, helps ensure his program o„ers many such opportunities. Sta„ in the multidisciplinary center review the profiles of each patient, compare their situations against inclusion and exclusion criteria for trials, and make recom- mendations promptly for each person. "Many patients with advanced cancer will qualify for immu- notherapy," Dr. Wallen says. " We also have a trial where we are creating a panel of surgery patients who may be eligible for immunotherapy in the future if their condition changes." Some of the experts from different fields who make up the Brain Tumor Research Group. From left are: (front row) Ed Rice, Lawrence Chin, MD, Mariano Viapiano, PhD, and Russell "Rick" Matthews, PhD; (second row) Robert Corona Jr., DO, Charles Danko, PhD; (third row) Malvina Prapa, PhD, Sharon Longo and Nandhu Mohan Sobhana, PhD; (fourth row) Prajna Behera, Lina Barrera Arenas, Ashis Sinha and Geoffrey Eill. Rice and Danko are from Cornell, while the rest are from Upstate Medical University. M D N E W S .C O M /// M D N E W S C E N T R A L N Y ■ 2 017 0 7 Professor and Chair of Radiation Oncology and Upstate Cancer Center Interim Director, Jeffrey Bogart, MD