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John Howard Sampson

Robert H., MD and Gloria Wilkins Professor Emeritus of Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery
Box 3810 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
1293 Orange Zone, Duke South, 200 Trent Dr, Durham, NC 27710

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.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Robert H., MD and Gloria Wilkins Professor Emeritus of Neurosurgery · 2024 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery
Professor Emeritus in Neurosurgery · 2024 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 1990 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published November 4, 2022
How Glioblastoma Brain Tumors Resist the Immune System
Published March 9, 2020
Dr. John Sampson Named PDC President
Published October 16, 2017
Neurosurgeon John Sampson Named to the National Academy of Medicine

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Recent Publications


Utility of Routine Preoperative Urinalysis in the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections.

Journal Article World Neurosurg · December 2023 OBJECTIVE: Preoperative assessment is important for neurosurgical risk stratification, but the level of evidence for individual screening tests is low. In preoperative urinalysis (UA), testing may significantly increase costs and lead to inappropriate anti ... Full text Link to item Cite

CD8+ T cells maintain killing of MHC-I-negative tumor cells through the NKG2D-NKG2DL axis.

Journal Article Nat Cancer · September 2023 The accepted paradigm for both cellular and anti-tumor immunity relies upon tumor cell killing by CD8+ T cells recognizing cognate antigens presented in the context of target cell major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (MHC-I) molecules. Likewise, ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


ATRXmutations,innate immune activation and therapeutic vunerabilityin malignant gliomas

ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2022 - 2027

Medical Scientist Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2022 - 2027

University Training Program in Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1994 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 2011 M.B.A.
Duke University, School of Medicine · 2007 M.H.S.
Duke University · 1996 Ph.D.
University of Manitoba (Canada) · 1990 M.D.