^Oncology

Dana Tlais, MD

Examining novel treatment approaches to improve outcomes for pediatric patients with high-grade glioma

Overview

To effectively improve the way we treat a tumor, we must first elevate our understanding of the tumor. To do so, it is essential to gather and incorporate information at the molecular level. Accordingly, I aim to identify new molecular drivers in aggressive pediatric brain tumors and to ultimately translate my findings into therapeutic targets.

Tlais Research Summary

High-grade gliomas are rapidly growing brain tumors that are generally resistant to standard therapeutic approaches. To introduce new treatment strategies, my aim is to understand the molecular characteristics of these tumors.

One focus of mine is pediatric diffuse hemispheric glioma (DHG), H3G34-mutant, a recently molecularly characterized and classified pediatric brain tumor. In collaboration with Dr. Jason Chiang, Dr. Asim Bag, and Dr. Christopher Tinkle, I am working on characterizing and understanding the clinical, radiographic and molecular characteristics of this tumor type with the goal of introducing new therapies.

Additionally, in collaboration with Dr. Suzanne Baker and Dr. Giles Robinson, I am exploring novel ways to target molecular vulnerabilities in diffuse midline glioma, H3K27-altered, and aiming to launch a clinical trial tailored towards patients with these tumors.

Beyond research in molecular vulnerabilities in high-grade gliomas, I have a specific interest in the use of immunotherapy in pediatric brain tumors. To this end, I am collaborating with Dr. Bertrand in her work in CAR T-cell therapy through the Loc3CAR clinical trial, and we are looking forward to the promising future of immunotherapy in neuro-oncology.

Selected Publications

CAR T cell therapy for pediatric central nervous system. tumors: a review of the literature and current North American trials

Ronsley et al. Cancer Metastasis Rev, 2024

Improving time to antibiotic administration for pediatric oncology patients with new-onset fever

Chintagumpala et al. JCO Oncol Pract, 2024.

CHEK2 mutations in pediatric brain tumors

Partap et al. Neurooncol Adv, 2023.

A toddler with new seizures, progressive white matter lesions, and multifocal microhemorrhages

Lai et al. Pediatrics, 2022.

ZFTA-RELA dictates oncogenic transcriptional programs to drive aggressive supratentorial ependymoma

Arabzade et al. Cancer Discovery, 2021

See all publications from Dr. Tlais

About Dana Tlais

Dr. Dana Tlais is an instructor in the Department of Oncology, Division of Neuro-Oncology. She earned her MD from the American University of Beirut and completed pediatric residency training at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. With fellowships in pediatric hematology-oncology at Baylor College of Medicine and pediatric neuro-oncology at Stanford University, her medical training has primed her to lead clinical research programs at St. Jude that will advance the paradigm of care for children with brain tumors.

Faculty bio