UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program: Pioneering Brain Tumor Treatment and Research

The UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program stands as a leading force in Southern California for brain tumor treatment and research, driven by a mission to innovate and provide excellent patient care with compassion. The program integrates molecular genetic research, clinical research, clinical care, and psychosocial care to address the complex needs of patients with brain tumors.

Comprehensive Care and Advanced Treatments

UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program is the premier Brain Tumor Program in Southern California with advances in novel surgical, radiation, chemotherapy, biologic, genetic and immune therapy approaches for primary brain tumors and the CNS complications of systemic cancer. Clinical services are provided to enhance individual care and provide access to cutting edge clinical trials. A multi-disciplinary brain tumor board meets on a weekly basis so that patient care management may benefit from the input of specialists in radiation oncology, medical oncology, neuro-pathology, neurosurgery and neurology.

The program uses molecular diagnostics, gene expression analysis, cutting edge clinical trials and advanced medical informatics to customize treatment plans for cancer patients. UCLA researchers have sought to better understand the biological underpinnings that give rise to brain cancers and create smarter therapies to improve survival.

Focus on Personalized Medicine

UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program is a leading comprehensive brain tumor program, using molecular diagnostics, gene expression analysis, cutting edge clinical trials and advanced medical informatics to customize treatment plans for cancer patients. Their mission is to provide effective personalized medicine for brain cancer patients. Tremendous progress has been seen in cancer treatment in recent years as doctors identify which specific drugs will work on certain types of cancers and refine the accuracy of surgery and radiation.

One of the most innovative treatments for glioblastoma, a patient-specific brain tumor vaccine, is in a phase-3 clinical trial. The DCVax-L vaccine was pioneered by Dr. Linda Liau, a professor of neuro-oncology and director of the UCLA Brain Tumor Program. Early studies showed the safety of the vaccine is acceptable, and subsequent research revealed that some patients survived far longer than expected. UCLA researchers are also exploring whether the personalized vaccine will be more effective if patients also receive other therapies in combination.

Groundbreaking Research and Clinical Trials

UCLA Neuro-Oncology has been effective in rapidly bringing promising basic research to clinic. The program's research team, headed by Dr. Timothy Cloughsey, Director of the UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program, uses emerging technology and is already increasing the survival rate for many cancer patients.

The program's research efforts are bolstered by various grants, including the STOP CANCER Research Career Development Award, the Beatrice Kolliner Scholar award, The Michael C. Dunn, MD, Brain Tumor Research fund and The Neil Elliot fund for Brain Cancer Research.

Addressing a Critical Need

Brain tumors are the second leading cause of death among children and young adults up to the age of 34. Over the past few years, there has been a steady increase in adult, primary malignant brain tumors and is the fastest leading cause of cancer deaths among the elderly. Because the brain is such a complex and fragile organ, it makes this cancer the most difficult kind to treat. About 78,000 Americans are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor each year; about one-third of those tumors are malignant. Malignant brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 39. One of the most common types of malignant brain tumors is called glioblastoma. Glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer, has a grim prognosis, with median survival ranging from 14 to 20 months.

The Art of the Brain

Established in 2000 by brain cancer survivor and international community activist, Judi Kaufman, UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program's Art of the Brain is dedicated to raising funds necessary to further breakthrough research for brain cancer, as well as providing the best and most effective treatment options to patients suffering from this devastating disease. The “Art of the Brain” fund has helped Dr. Cloughsey develop one of the premier research laboratories in the world where he partners with neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroscientists and cancer researchers to eradicate this often -fatal disease.

Judi Kaufman founded Art of the Brain in 2000. She leads a team of dedicated volunteers to raise money for brain cancer research under the direction of Dr. Cloughesy, Director of the UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program.

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Neuro-Oncology Fellowship at UCLA

UCLA Neuro-Oncology Fellowship training is a 2-3 years program designed to provide excellence in clinical training with opportunities for cutting-edge clinical and basic work. The fellowship takes place at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood. The fellowship is an accredited program in neuro-oncology designed to provide excellence in clinical training with opportunities for cutting-edge clinical and basic research over two to three years. Fellows will be prepared for sub-specialty board certification in neuro-oncology.

Curriculum

The first year is designed to allow the fellow to become familiar with treating primary brain tumors through clinical rotations with the adult neuro-oncology clinic. Exposure to pediatric brain tumors, metastatic tumors, and CNS complications of systemic cancer will also be provided with rotations through pediatric neuro-oncology, medical oncology and radiosurgery clinics. Knowledge regarding typical complications of therapy in general cancer patients will be gleaned from these setting. Consultation will include both inpatient and outpatient evaluations. The fellow will also be asked to attend weekly Brain Tumor Board meetings and provide input.

During the second and third year, the fellow is required to attend a weekly Continuity Clinic and Brain Tumor Board. The fellow will also be asked to focus in an area of research, either bench or clinical.

Application Information

To apply, candidates must register and submit application through SF Match Central Application Service. Application requirements to be submitted through CAS: SF Match CAS Application, Current CV, personal statement, 3 letters of recommendation. Recommended optional materials: Letter of good standing from current program (confirms dates of enrollment, current status, and expected graduation date), certificates of completion from all graduate education programs, Unofficial medical school transcript, unofficial USMLE transcript, ECFMG certificate (if applicable).

Fellowship Eligibility Criteria: Must be eligible for a full, valid, and unrestricted Physician’s and Surgeon’s License from the Medical Board of California (MBC). The applicant is expected to have this licensure prior to starting the fellowship at UCLA Neuro-Oncology. Complete list of required criteria from the Medical Board of California. Must be board certified or eligible for certification in a primary ABMS or RCPSC specialty in neurology or neurosurgery.

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Neuro-Oncology Elective for Residents

A Neuro-Oncology Elective is a wonderful way for residents to learn more about the field and explore their interest in potential subspecialty training. Residents will have the chance to work with national experts in neuro-oncology and see patients with primary brain tumors, brain metastases, and neurologic complications of cancer in both the inpatient and outpatient clinical setting. Further, participants will be able to see first-hand the rapid progress in neuro-oncology which allows for tremendous opportunities in basic, translational and clinical research with mentorship from passionate faculty members.

Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Involvement

SNO conferences such as the Annual Meeting are a great opportunity for residents to present their research, learn about cutting edge developments in basic, clinical, and translational research and network with interdisciplinary experts in neuro-oncology from around the world.

The Society for Neuro-Oncology announced the launch of a formal match program for fellowship applicants beginning with the 2019/2020 fellowship year. The formal match established a first-ever public listing of participating fellowship programs, a uniform timeline, and standardized base application documents to help streamline the application process for both applicants and programs. It also provides time to encourage “best fit scenarios” and establishes separate codes of conduct for applicants and programs. The match itself is conducted by the vendor San Francisco Match ("SF Match"), with the Society for Neuro-Oncology serving as the match sponsor, and the SNO Fellowship Match Committee providing administrative oversight.

Supporting the UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program

Donations received for the UCLA Brain Cancer Research Fund will allow them to move forward and will help accelerate the application of personalized treatment. Contributions will help better define treatments to improve the quality of life for individuals with brain tumors.

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