Meet the Team: David D. Tran, MD, PhD

Chief of Neuro-Oncology, Keck Medicine of USC; Co-Director of the USC Brain Tumor Center

The USC Brain Tumor Center just made an outstanding addition to its team. The incomparable David Tran, MD, PhD joins as the Chief of Neuro-Oncology and Co-Director of the Brain Tumor Center (Note: One day, USC will get around to updating its websites). Dr. Tran is the epitome of what every physician/scientist should aspire to be. In addition to his unmatched scientific innovation in brain cancer research, David is a generous person and a valuable member of #TeamJulie. Well done Keck Medicine of USC!

We were introduced to David in Jan-2022 shortly after Julie’s GBM diagnosis. Over the past year, he has spent countless hours with me and the other members of #TeamJulie reviewing data and designing the customized therapeutic regimen that has worked wonders for Julie.

Dr. Tran’s pioneering work with the 2-THE-TOP clinical trial (TTF + TMZ + Pembrolizumab) in GBM and the rigorous molecular biology work to elucidate the underlying mechanism of immunotherapy action is at the forefront of brain tumor R&D. Most neuro-oncologists have never seen a PR much less a CR, while GBM patients in the 2-THE-TOP trial have enjoyed multiple PRs, CRs and stable disease (SD).

We are pleased to report that a modified version of Dr. Tran’s 2-THE-TOP trial is at the center of Julie’s therapeutic regimen, and has produced remarkable clinical results in terms of significant tumor regression.

At the recent 2022 Society for Neuro-Oncology Annual Meeting in Tampa, I met extensively with Dr. Tran and several leading neuro-oncologists, Biopharma executives and life science investors. While David’s research to date has been remarkable, the new breakthroughs that his lab is currently pursuing are truly exceptional. Watch this space.