John Sampson

Robert H., M.D. and Gloria Wilkins Professor of Neurosurgery, in the School of Medicine
John Sampson
John Sampson

Overview

Current research activities involve the immunotherapeutic targeting of a tumor-specific mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor. Approaches used to target this tumor-specific epitope include unarmed and radiolabeled antibody therapy and cell mediated approaches using peptide vaccines and dendritic cells. Another area of interest involves drug delivery to brain tumors. Translational and clinical work is carried out in this area to formulate the relationship between various direct intratumoral infusion parameters and drug distribution within brain tumors and normal brain.

The Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program (BTIP) has an emphasis on translational research in Neuro-Oncology. There are two main areas of study. The first is novel mechanisms of delivery of large molecular weight molecules, such as monoclonal antibodies, throughout brain intersitial space using novel intracerebral infusion techniques developed by this laboratory. Studies exploring this technology are undertaken in both small and large laboratory animals and patients with brain tumors.

The other focus of the BTIP is translational immunotherapy. In this line of work, dendritic cell vaccination strategies and adoptive T-cell strategies have been developed to target novel and well-characterized tumor-specific antigens in patients with brain tumors. The BTIP integrates well with and works closely with the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke. The BTIP is well funded and currently holds seven NIH grants, including a SPORE in Brain Cancer grant. There are a large number of investigators at various levels so that students will get exposure to various levels of research and mentorship.

Positions

Robert H., M.D. and Gloria Wilkins Professor of Neurosurgery, in the School of Medicine in the School of Medicine

2009 School of Medicine

Professor of Neurosurgery in the School of Medicine

2009 School of Medicine

Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the Pratt School of Engineering

2013 Pratt School of Engineering

Professor of Integrative Immunobiology in the School of Medicine

2009 School of Medicine

Professor of Radiation Oncology in the School of Medicine

2009 School of Medicine

Professor of Pathology in the School of Medicine

2012 School of Medicine

Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery in the School of Medicine

2017 School of Medicine

Member of the Duke Cancer Institute in the School of Medicine

1990 School of Medicine

Education

M.D. 1990

1990 University of Manitoba (Canada)

Ph.D. 1996

1996 Duke University

M.H.S. 2007

2007 Duke University School of Medicine

M.B.A. 2011

2011 Duke University

Investigator in Cerebral Hydrodynamics Lab, Neurosurgery

1989 University of Manitoba (Canada)

Intern, Surgery

1991 Duke University

Resident in Neurosurgery, Surgery

1998 Duke University

Publications, Grants & Awards

Offices & Contact

1293 Orange Zone, Duke South, 200 Trent Dr
Durham, NC
27710
Box 3810 Med Ctr
Durham, NC
27710