Division Chief of Neuro Oncology at UNC Health Dr. Sengupta hosts brain tumor symposium funded by the Weatherspoon family to discuss ongoing research and treatment options for malignant brain tumors.
Dr. Soma Sengupta, Division Chief of Neuro Oncology, Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Neurosurgery, and
Professor in the Department of Neurology, hosted the 2nd annual Weatherspoon Symposium at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, bringing together brain tumor physicians, researchers, students, and advocates to discuss emerging treatments for malignant brain tumors.
The standard of care for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma has remained unchanged since 2005. Presentations at the symposium highlighted the continued need for brain tumor research support to one day develop a cure for this deadly disease. The symposium was the first of its kind to showcase translational and clinical research talks from UNC Health, MD Anderson, Duke Health, Wake Forest University, Eastern Carolina University, and Mayfield Clinic.
Dr. Sengupta is a physician-scientist and clinical trialist specializing in brain tumor treatment and research. This is her second year organizing the Weatherspoon Symposium, an event made possible by philanthropic donations from the Weatherspoon family. “Having lost family and close friends to brain cancer, finding a cure, improving the quality of life, and decreasing financial toxicity are fundamental to my mission of being a neuro-oncologist and an integrative oncologist,” said Dr. Sengupta. “Patient care should be personalized, yet affordable, and give hope while prolonging life.”
Van and Kay Weatherspoon lost their son to a brain tumor at the age of 28. The Weatherspoon family supports brain tumor research at UNC Health, including multiple professorships and research funds. The family’s contributions have exceeded $10 million over time, specifically for the brain tumor program.
The event featured presentations from keynote speakers Dr. Jeremy Rich, Deputy Director of Translational Research & Chief Scientific Officer of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. Vinay Puduvalli, Chair and Professor in the Department of Neuro-Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Puduvalli is actively involved in patient care and clinical trials, and translational research. His team aims to develop novel therapies for patients with primary brain tumors, specifically malignant gliomas. He presented on emerging targets to uncover new therapeutic vulnerabilities in glioblastoma.
Dr. Rich spoke on leveraging stem cell biology in brain tumor therapeutic discovery. His laboratory has identified novel therapeutic paradigms in the treatment of advanced cancer, primarily malignant brain tumors. His research team aims to better understand the clinical relevance of cancer stem cells and the interaction with the tumor microenvironment and underlying genetic driver mutations in human cancers.
Jason Binder, a former Pharma Executive and current caregiver to his wife, Tracy, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma, also attended the event. “At the symposium, I saw a desire to truly understand the biology of the disease from multiple approaches,” said Jason. “I saw many experimental approaches with promise to treat someone like my wife. I believe these clinicians and scientists will stop at nothing to continue their pursuit.”
Jason also voiced his frustration with the slow progress, specifically when it comes to approval of potential treatments and
moving them forward to clinical trials. “There are a ton of options but will they see the light of day to go from safety to proof of concept to pivotal trial? For my wife, maybe not,” said Jason. “We’ve already surpassed our life expectancy. I see a hopeful future, but one that is severely uphill.”
The symposium also featured presentations from UNC Health faculty, including UNC Neurosurgery faculty members Dr. Sengupta, Dr. Daniel Pomeranz Krummel, Dr. Dominique Higgins, and Dr. Vibhor Krishna.
Dr. Nelson Oyesiku, Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and Van L. Weatherspoon, Jr. Eminent Distinguished Professor, and Dr. Matt Ewend, Chief Clinical Officer, President of UNC Physicians, and Kay M. and Van. L Weatherspoon Distinguished Professor of Neurosurgery, both supported the brain tumor symposium that was collaborative, interdisciplinary, and accessible for everyone. Dr. Robert Ferris, recently appointed Director of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, also gave his full support of the symposium and attended in-person.
Dr. Heather Calderone, Grant Director of Research and Grants at the American Brain Tumor Association also attended the event.
The event included poster presentations from lab members, residents, and fellows, including two attendees from the National Cancer Institute-NIH. Shreeya Bhonge from UNC Chapel Hill Department of Applied Physical Sciences won first place.
For more information on brain tumor research and current clinical trials at UNC Health, visit the brain tumor research page, or visit the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center website.
Written by Makenzie Hardy, Marketing Coordinator, Department of Neurosurgery