Mai T. Dang, MD, PhD

Washington University in St. Louis (WU)

Pediatric brain tumor is the leading cause of oncologic deaths in children. Those who do survive after intensive treatment are often confronted with neurologic complications that significantly lowers quality of life. Novel treatment strategies that cause less neurologic deficits to children are needed. My lab is investigating the immune tumor microenvironment of pediatric brain tumors to understand how we can optimally modulate components of the immune system to increase efficacy of standard treatment. Our current specific research goals are to 1) employ phagocytic microglia to enhance drug treatment, 2) identify reversible mechanisms of immune suppression in irradiated pediatric brain tumors, and 3) determine if safer radiation delivery can be achieved with cutting edge modalities such as FLASH radiation.