Research Overview

Dr. Susan Chi's clinical research focuses primarily on pediatric brain tumors, specifically in malignant infant tumors such as atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT), high risk medulloblastoma and choroid plexus tumors.

 

Research Background

After graduating from Princeton University, Dr. Susan Chi received her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine (New York, NY) and completed her pediatric residency at Yale/New Haven Hospital (New Haven, CT). After an additional chief residency year in New Haven, she then completed a Pediatric Hematology-Oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY), followed by a pediatric and adult neuro-oncology fellowship at NYU Medical Center (New York, NY).

Education

Undergraduate School

Princeton University
1990 Princeton NJ

Medical School

Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
1994 New York NY

Residency

Pediatrics Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital
1998 New Haven CT

Fellowship

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
2001 New York NY

Fellowship

New York University Medical Center
2002 New York NY

Publications

  1. Radiographic and visual response to the type II RAF inhibitor tovorafenib in children with relapsed/refractory optic pathway glioma in the FIREFLY-1 trial. Neuro Oncol. 2024 Dec 19. View Abstract
  2. Author Correction: Molecular profiling of 888 pediatric tumors informs future precision trials and data-sharing initiatives in pediatric cancer. Nat Commun. 2024 Aug 22; 15(1):7218. View Abstract
  3. Molecular profiling of 888 pediatric tumors informs future precision trials and data-sharing initiatives in pediatric cancer. Nat Commun. 2024 Jul 11; 15(1):5837. View Abstract
  4. Clinical utility of DNA methylation profiling for choroid plexus tumors. Neurooncol Adv. 2024 Jan-Dec; 6(1):vdae097. View Abstract
  5. Author Correction: The type II RAF inhibitor tovorafenib in relapsed/refractory pediatric low-grade glioma: the phase 2 FIREFLY-1 trial. Nat Med. 2024 May; 30(5):1500. View Abstract
  6. Correction to: Cancer survivorship programs at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. J Cancer Surviv. 2024 Apr 12. View Abstract
  7. Off-label prescribing of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy at a single pediatric cancer center. Cancer Med. 2024 Apr; 13(8):e7154. View Abstract
  8. Cancer survivorship programs at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. J Cancer Surviv. 2024 02; 18(1):34-41. View Abstract
  9. A Pilot Study Omitting Radiation in the Treatment of Children with Newly Diagnosed Wnt-Activated Medulloblastoma. Clin Cancer Res. 2023 12 15; 29(24):5031-5037. View Abstract
  10. Sustained Survival Benefit in Recurrent Medulloblastoma by a Metronomic Antiangiogenic Regimen: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. JAMA Oncol. 2023 Dec 01; 9(12):1688-1695. View Abstract
  11. The type II RAF inhibitor tovorafenib in relapsed/refractory pediatric low-grade glioma: the phase 2 FIREFLY-1 trial. Nat Med. 2024 Jan; 30(1):207-217. View Abstract
  12. Tazemetostat for tumors harboring SMARCB1/SMARCA4 or EZH2 alterations: results from NCI-COG pediatric MATCH APEC1621C. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2023 11 08; 115(11):1355-1363. View Abstract
  13. ALK Amplification and Rearrangements Are Recurrent Targetable Events in Congenital and Adult Glioblastoma. Clin Cancer Res. 2023 07 14; 29(14):2651-2667. View Abstract
  14. Recent progress and novel approaches to treating atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor. Neoplasia. 2023 03; 37:100880. View Abstract
  15. Current advances in immunotherapy for atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT). Neurooncol Pract. 2023 Aug; 10(4):322-334. View Abstract
  16. p53 Pathway Inactivation Drives SMARCB1-deficient p53-wildtype Epithelioid Sarcoma Onset Indicating Therapeutic Vulnerability Through MDM2 Inhibition. Mol Cancer Ther. 2022 11 03; 21(11):1689-1700. View Abstract
  17. Upfront molecular targeted therapy for the treatment of BRAF-mutant pediatric high-grade glioma. Neuro Oncol. 2022 11 02; 24(11):1964-1975. View Abstract
  18. PD-L1 and PD-1 expression in pediatric central nervous system germ cell tumors. Mod Pathol. 2022 12; 35(12):1770-1774. View Abstract
  19. An international study evaluating the epidemiology of intracranial germ cell tumors in the native versus immigrant Japanese populations: the need for an international registry. J Neurooncol. 2022 Sep; 159(3):563-570. View Abstract
  20. Structural variants shape driver combinations and outcomes in pediatric high-grade glioma. Nat Cancer. 2022 08; 3(8):994-1011. View Abstract
  21. Mass cytometry detects H3.3K27M-specific vaccine responses in diffuse midline glioma. J Clin Invest. 2022 Jun 15; 132(12). View Abstract
  22. DICER1 mutations in primary central nervous system tumors: new insights into histologies, mutations, and prognosis. J Neurooncol. 2022 May; 157(3):499-510. View Abstract
  23. Pearls & Oy-sters: Pivoting Treatment Regimens of Pediatric Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors to Optimize Care in Adult ATRT: A Case Report. Neurology. 2022 04 26; 98(17):726-730. View Abstract
  24. Comparison of toxicity following single versus tandem autologous transplant regimens for pediatric medulloblastoma. Pediatr Transplant. 2022 06; 26(4):e14229. View Abstract
  25. The challenges in treating embryonal tumors with multilayered rosettes (ETMR) and other infant brain tumors. Neuro Oncol. 2022 01 05; 24(1):138-140. View Abstract
  26. Multi-institutional analysis of treatment modalities in basal ganglia and thalamic germinoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 10; 68(10):e29172. View Abstract
  27. Temozolomide with irinotecan versus temozolomide, irinotecan plus bevacizumab for recurrent medulloblastoma of childhood: Report of a COG randomized Phase II screening trial. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 08; 68(8):e29031. View Abstract
  28. Retrospective evaluation of single patient investigational new drug (IND) requests in pediatric oncology. Cancer Med. 2021 Apr; 10(7):2310-2318. View Abstract
  29. Outcomes after first relapse of childhood intracranial ependymoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 08; 68(8):e28930. View Abstract
  30. Mass cytometry detects H3.3K27M-specific vaccine responses in diffuse midline glioma. J Clin Invest. 2020 12 01; 130(12):6325-6337. View Abstract
  31. A POETIC Phase II study of continuous oral everolimus in recurrent, radiographically progressive pediatric low-grade glioma. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 02; 68(2):e28787. View Abstract
  32. A phase II study of continuous oral mTOR inhibitor everolimus for recurrent, radiographic-progressive neurofibromatosis type 1-associated pediatric low-grade glioma: a Neurofibromatosis Clinical Trials Consortium study. Neuro Oncol. 2020 10 14; 22(10):1527-1535. View Abstract
  33. A modified IRS-III chemotherapy regimen leads to prolonged survival in children with embryonal tumor with multilayer rosettes. Neurooncol Adv. 2020 Jan-Dec; 2(1):vdaa120. View Abstract
  34. Trametinib for the treatment of recurrent/progressive pediatric low-grade glioma. J Neurooncol. 2020 Sep; 149(2):253-262. View Abstract
  35. Advancing biology-based therapeutic approaches for atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors. Neuro Oncol. 2020 07 07; 22(7):944-954. View Abstract
  36. Immune checkpoint inhibition for pediatric patients with recurrent/refractory CNS tumors: a single institution experience. J Neurooncol. 2020 Aug; 149(1):113-122. View Abstract
  37. Mechanisms and therapeutic implications of hypermutation in gliomas. Nature. 2020 04; 580(7804):517-523. View Abstract
  38. Genomic and Immunologic Characterization of INI1-Deficient Pediatric Cancers. Clin Cancer Res. 2020 06 15; 26(12):2882-2890. View Abstract
  39. Increasing value of autopsies in patients with brain tumors in the molecular era. J Neurooncol. 2019 Nov; 145(2):349-355. View Abstract
  40. Revisiting the Role of Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma. J Clin Oncol. 2019 12 10; 37(35):3335-3339. View Abstract
  41. Neuro-Oncology Practice Clinical Debate: targeted therapy vs conventional chemotherapy in pediatric low-grade glioma. Neurooncol Pract. 2020 Jan; 7(1):4-10. View Abstract
  42. Molecular profiling and targeted therapy in pediatric gliomas: review and consensus recommendations. Neuro Oncol. 2019 08 05; 21(8):968-980. View Abstract
  43. A Central Role of Radiation Therapy in Central Nervous System Germinoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2019 08 01; 104(5):970-971. View Abstract
  44. Phase I study of gene-mediated cytotoxic immunotherapy with AdV-tk as adjuvant to surgery and radiation for pediatric malignant glioma and recurrent ependymoma. Neuro Oncol. 2019 03 18; 21(4):537-546. View Abstract
  45. Renal medullary carcinomas depend upon SMARCB1 loss and are sensitive to proteasome inhibition. Elife. 2019 03 12; 8. View Abstract
  46. Cutaneous reactions to targeted therapies in children with CNS tumors: A cross-sectional study. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2019 06; 66(6):e27682. View Abstract
  47. Improvement of hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma with oral trametinib. Pediatr Dermatol. 2019 Jan; 36(1):e48-e49. View Abstract
  48. Prospective feasibility and safety assessment of surgical biopsy for patients with newly diagnosed diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Neuro Oncol. 2018 10 09; 20(11):1547-1555. View Abstract
  49. A phase 1/2 dose-finding, safety, and activity study of cabazitaxel in pediatric patients with refractory solid tumors including tumors of the central nervous system. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2018 09; 65(9):e27217. View Abstract
  50. Rethinking childhood ependymoma: a retrospective, multi-center analysis reveals poor long-term overall survival. J Neurooncol. 2017 Oct; 135(1):201-211. View Abstract
  51. Clinical targeted exome-based sequencing in combination with genome-wide copy number profiling: precision medicine analysis of 203 pediatric brain tumors. Neuro Oncol. 2017 Jul 01; 19(7):986-996. View Abstract
  52. A pediatric trial of radiation/cetuximab followed by irinotecan/cetuximab in newly diagnosed diffuse pontine gliomas and high-grade astrocytomas: A Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators' Consortium study. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2017 Nov; 64(11). View Abstract
  53. A Phase I Study of the CDK4/6 Inhibitor Ribociclib (LEE011) in Pediatric Patients with Malignant Rhabdoid Tumors, Neuroblastoma, and Other Solid Tumors. Clin Cancer Res. 2017 May 15; 23(10):2433-2441. View Abstract
  54. Long-term neuropsychological follow-up of young children with medulloblastoma treated with sequential high-dose chemotherapy and irradiation sparing approach. J Neurooncol. 2017 05; 133(1):119-128. View Abstract
  55. Pediatric oncology enters an era of precision medicine. Curr Probl Cancer. 2017 May - Jun; 41(3):194-200. View Abstract
  56. Pediatric malignant germ cell tumors: A comparison of the neuro-oncology and solid tumor experience. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2016 12; 63(12):2086-2095. View Abstract
  57. Central Versus Extraventricular Neurocytoma in Children: A Clinicopathologic Comparison and Review of the Literature. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2016 08; 38(6):479-85. View Abstract
  58. Clinical, Pathological, and Molecular Characterization of Infant Medulloblastomas Treated with Sequential High-Dose Chemotherapy. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2016 09; 63(9):1527-34. View Abstract
  59. Disseminated glioneuronal tumors occurring in childhood: treatment outcomes and BRAF alterations including V600E mutation. J Neurooncol. 2016 06; 128(2):293-302. View Abstract
  60. Building a new process: Nursing verification of pediatric oral chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2016 Mar; 34(7_suppl):199. View Abstract
  61. Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors-current concepts, advances in biology, and potential future therapies. Neuro Oncol. 2016 06; 18(6):764-78. View Abstract
  62. Myxopapillary ependymomas in children: imaging, treatment and outcomes. J Neurooncol. 2016 Jan; 126(1):165-174. View Abstract
  63. Classification of treatment-related mortality in children with cancer: a systematic assessment. Lancet Oncol. 2015 Dec; 16(16):e604-10. View Abstract
  64. A phase I trial and PK study of cediranib (AZD2171), an orally bioavailable pan-VEGFR inhibitor, in children with recurrent or refractory primary CNS tumors. Childs Nerv Syst. 2015 Sep; 31(9):1433-45. View Abstract
  65. Rhabdoid tumors: integrating biological insights with clinical success: a report from the SMARCB1 and Rhabdoid Tumor Symposium, Paris, December 12-14, 2013. Cancer Genet. 2014 Sep; 207(9):346-51. View Abstract
  66. Recurrence after gross-total resection of low-grade pediatric brain tumors: the frequency and timing of postoperative imaging. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2014 Oct; 14(4):356-64. View Abstract
  67. Phase I individual dose titration trial of the human corticotropin-releasing factor (hcrf), corticorelin acetate injection (xerecept) in pediatric patients with peritumoral edema of the brain. Neuro Oncol. 2014 Jul; 16 Suppl 3:iii23. View Abstract
  68. Long-term outcome of 4,040 children diagnosed with pediatric low-grade gliomas: an analysis of the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2014 Jul; 61(7):1173-9. View Abstract
  69. A phase II trial of a multi-agent oral antiangiogenic (metronomic) regimen in children with recurrent or progressive cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2014 Apr; 61(4):636-42. View Abstract
  70. Predictors of neoplastic disease in children with isolated pituitary stalk thickening. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2013 Oct; 60(10):1630-5. View Abstract
  71. Profiling pathway-specific novel therapeutics in preclinical assessment for central nervous system atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (CNS ATRT): favorable activity of targeting EGFR- ErbB2 signaling with lapatinib. Mol Oncol. 2013 Jun; 7(3):497-512. View Abstract
  72. Absence of oncogenic canonical pathway mutations in aggressive pediatric rhabdoid tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2012 Dec 15; 59(7):1155-7. View Abstract
  73. Sleep dysfunction in long term survivors of craniopharyngioma. J Neurooncol. 2012 Jul; 108(3):543-9. View Abstract
  74. Brain tumors in children. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care. 2012 Apr; 42(4):80-103. View Abstract
  75. Genome-wide analyses identify recurrent amplifications of receptor tyrosine kinases and cell-cycle regulatory genes in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. J Clin Oncol. 2011 Oct 20; 29(30):3999-4006. View Abstract
  76. Prospective collection of tissue samples at autopsy in children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Cancer. 2010 Oct 01; 116(19):4632-7. View Abstract
  77. Germinoma with malignant transformation to nongerminomatous germ cell tumor. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2010 Sep; 6(3):295-8. View Abstract
  78. Lack of efficacy of bevacizumab plus irinotecan in children with recurrent malignant glioma and diffuse brainstem glioma: a Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium study. J Clin Oncol. 2010 Jun 20; 28(18):3069-75. View Abstract
  79. Biological modification strategies following marrow ablative, high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous hematopoietic stem cell rescue (AHSCR) for pediatric brain tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010 Apr; 54(4):654-6. View Abstract
  80. Introduction to a special issue on pediatric neuro-oncology. J Child Neurol. 2009 Nov; 24(11):1341-2. View Abstract
  81. A prospective, blinded analysis of A-PROTEIN (recoverin or CAR protein) levels in pediatric patients with central nervous system tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2009 Sep; 53(3):343-7. View Abstract
  82. Medical, psychological, cognitive and educational late-effects in pediatric low-grade glioma survivors treated with surgery only. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2009 Sep; 53(3):417-23. View Abstract
  83. Pediatric Neuro-Oncology: Back to the Basics. 2009. View Abstract
  84. Tumors of the Brain and Spinal Cord. Oncology of Infancy and Childhood (Orkin, Fisher, Look, Lux, Ginsbrug, Nathan, eds). 2009; 601-720. View Abstract
  85. Intensive multimodality treatment for children with newly diagnosed CNS atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor. J Clin Oncol. 2009 Jan 20; 27(3):385-9. View Abstract
  86. Prognostic value of tumor microinvasion and metalloproteinases expression in intracranial pediatric ependymomas. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2008 Sep; 67(9):911-20. View Abstract
  87. Outcome of pediatric pineoblastoma after surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. J Neurooncol. 2008 Aug; 89(1):89-95. View Abstract
  88. Results from a single-arm, multi-institutional Phase II study Of multi-agent intrathecal and systemic Cchemotherapy with age- and risk-adapted radiation therapy for children with newly diagnosed CNS Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor. Neuro-oncol. 2008; 10(3):373. View Abstract
  89. Long-term medical, psychologicak and educational isues in pediatric low-grade gliomas treated with surgery only. Neuro-Oncol. 2007. View Abstract
  90. Outcome for young children newly diagnosed with ependymoma, treated with intensive induction chemotherapy followed by myeloablative chemotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2007 Jul; 49(1):34-40. View Abstract
  91. Moyamoya following cranial irradiation for primary brain tumors in children. Neurology. 2007 Mar 20; 68(12):932-8. View Abstract
  92. Newly diagnosed high-risk malignant brain tumors with leptomeningeal dissemination in young children: a final update on “Head Start” induction chemotherapy intensified with high-dose methotrexate. Proceedings of ASCO. 2007. View Abstract
  93. Pineoblastoma in the pediatric population: Review of a single institution’s experience. Neuro-Oncol. 2007; 9:201. View Abstract
  94. Glomerular filtration rate in comparison to serum creatinine and audiologic results in predicting toxicity in pediatric patients receiving vincristine and carboplatin. Neuro-Oncol. 2007; 9:175. View Abstract
  95. Does histologic grade correlate with clinical outcome in pediatric intracranial ependymoma?. Neuro-Oncol. 2007; 9:217. View Abstract
  96. Supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors: Final outcome for children enrolled on Head Start I and II. Neuro-Oncol. 2007; 9:192. View Abstract
  97. Oligodendroglial lineage marker expression in ependymal tumors. Neuro-Oncol. 2007; 9:218. View Abstract
  98. Phase II study of thalidomide and radiation in children with newly diagnosed brain stem gliomas and glioblastoma multiforme. J Neurooncol. 2007 Mar; 82(1):95-101. View Abstract
  99. Transverse myelitis after therapy for primitive neuroectodermal tumors. Pediatr Neurol. 2006 Aug; 35(2):122-5. View Abstract
  100. A feasibility trial of antiangiogenic (metronomic) chemotherapy in pediatric patients with recurrent or progressive cancer. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2005 Nov; 27(11):573-81. View Abstract
  101. Continuous remission of newly diagnosed and relapsed central nervous system atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor. J Neurooncol. 2005 Mar; 72(1):77-84. View Abstract
  102. Feasibility and response to induction chemotherapy intensified with high-dose methotrexate for young children with newly diagnosed high-risk disseminated medulloblastoma. J Clin Oncol. 2004 Dec 15; 22(24):4881-7. View Abstract
  103. The patterns of relapse in osteosarcoma: the Memorial Sloan-Kettering experience. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2004 Jan; 42(1):46-51. View Abstract
  104. Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program Fellows Manual. 2004. View Abstract
  105. Expression of SSX-2 and SSX-4 genes in neuroblastoma. Int J Biol Markers. 2002 Oct-Dec; 17(4):219-23. View Abstract
  106. Neuroblastic and Schwannian stromal cells of neuroblastoma are derived from a tumoral progenitor cell. Cancer Res. 2001 Sep 15; 61(18):6892-8. View Abstract
  107. Prognostic significance of GAGE detection in bone marrows on survival of patients with metastatic neuroblastoma. Med Pediatr Oncol. 2000 Dec; 35(6):632-4. View Abstract

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