Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center

The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center is one of the first brain tumor research and clinical programs in the United States. The center has more than 250 full-time employees devoted exclusively to neuro-oncology. It encompasses basic, translational and clinical research, adult and pediatric clinical care services, and quality of life/supportive care programs.

Approximately 900 new adult brain tumor patients and 80 new pediatric brain tumor patients come to the Center each year from around the world. We care for all types of brain tumors, including glioblastomas, meningiomas, and benign brain tumors. We develop a personalized approach for each patient.

The pediatric neuro-oncology program has specific expertise in immunotherapy. We are part of the Pacific Pediatric Neurology Consortium (PNOC) and the COllaborative NEtwork for Neuro-oncology Clinical Trials (CONNECT). Together, we seek to develop new therapies and improve outcomes for children and young adults with brain tumors. 

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The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center's research program is dedicated to finding better outcomes for brain tumors. Novel immunotherapies, including cancer immunotherapy with viruses, immunotoxins, vaccines, and others, were co-developed at Duke to generate tumor immune surveillance fighting cancer in the brain. Through our clinical trials, you may be eligible for studies that use novel therapies to treat brain tumors.

We continue to explore ways to selectively target tumors, tame fast-growing and drug-resistant tumors, and design new therapies to destroy cancer. Our researchers are also studying ways to manipulate the genes and proteins that fuel tumor growth.

Our researchers receive approximately $14.4 million in grant and contract support. Three of the Center’s faculty members (Darrell Bigner, Henry Friedman, and Roger McLendon) are among the top 20 most cited authors on “glioblastoma” in the world.

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Training future neuro-oncology providers and scientists are part of the Center’s mission. The robust training program focuses on students at the high school, undergraduate, pre-doctoral, and post-doctoral levels. Most investigators train one or more students in their laboratories each year. We also offer fellowships in adult neuro-oncology and pediatric neuro-oncology. 

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