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Mustafa Khasraw

Professor of Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery

Overview


I am a physician-scientist with a background in medical oncology and neuro-oncology, with affiliations to multiple departments, research, and training programs at Duke. 

I lead a Tumor Immunology Lab where we use various wet and dry lab techniques to understand the interactions between tumors and the immune system. Our goal is to identify vulnerabilities that can be targeted for novel therapies.

I serve as the Deputy Director of the Center for Cancer Immunotherapy at the Duke Cancer Institute where we are tasked to facilitate clinical research and translate promising discoveries made by scientists across various departments and cancer types at Duke, particularly in the field of immune and T cell-based therapies.

My team and our laboratory operate in an environment that enables the transition from bench-side basic scientific discoveries to clinical trials, and back to the bench ensuring the evaluation of new treatments for cancer patients.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Neurosurgery · 2020 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery
Professor in Medicine · 2020 - Present Medicine, Medical Oncology, Medicine
Professor in Integrative Immunobiology · 2023 - Present Integrative Immunobiology, Basic Science Departments
Professor in Pharmacology and Cancer Biology · 2024 - Present Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2019 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published May 1, 2025
Michael Bolton Brain Cancer: What Is Glioblastoma, What Are the Symptoms and Can You Prevent It?
Published April 4, 2025
Experimental therapy for brain cancer gives ‘hope’; will be investigated in upcoming trial
Published September 3, 2024
Exclusive: Duke spinout launches in hopes of prevailing with brain cancer bispecific where Amgen, Roche did not

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Recent Publications


Antigen-specific CD8 T cells are generated and reactivated in the bone marrow following viral brain infections and impact the bone marrow niche.

Journal Article bioRxiv · December 26, 2025 Bone marrow is the primary immune organ responsible for stem cell maintenance and hematopoiesis. However, the contribution of the bone marrow niche for the generation of adaptive immune responses is less well-understood. We therefore assessed the capacity ... Full text Link to item Cite

The promise of TIL therapy for glioblastoma.

Journal Article Trends Cancer · November 13, 2025 Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy has demonstrated efficacy in refractory melanoma and durable responses in lung cancer. Glioblastoma presents distinct challenges for immunotherapy, including profound tumor heterogeneity, low T cell infiltration, ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


McCain/Bayh Glioblastoma Consortium

Clinical TrialCo-Project Leader · Awarded by Department of Defense · 2025 - 2029

Glioblastoma Immunotherapy Advancement with Nivolumab and Relatlimab

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company · 2024 - 2029

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Education, Training & Certifications


Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (The Netherlands) · 2001 M.D.