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Katherine Barnett Peters

Professor of Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology
047 Baker House, Trent Drive, BOX_3624, Durham, NC 27710
Office hours Per Request  

Overview


Katy Peters, MD, PhD, FAAN is a professor of neurology and neurosurgery at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center (PRTBTC) at Duke.   Her academic medical career started at Stanford University School of Medicine, receiving an MD and Ph.D. in Cancer Biology.  After completing a neurology residency at Johns Hopkins University and a fellowship in cognitive neurosciences, Katy joined the PRTBTC as a neuro-oncology fellow.  In 2009, she became a faculty member at PRTBTC.  With a fantastic team of nursing and advanced practice providers, she actively sees and cares for patients with primary brain tumors.  Her research interests include supportive care for brain cancer patients, cognitive dysfunction in cancer patients, and physical function and activity of brain cancer patients.   While she runs clinical trials to treat primary brain tumors, her key interest is on clinical trials that focus on improving brain tumor patients' quality of life and cognition.   In 2019, the PRTBTC designated her as the Director of Supportive Care, thus furthering the PRTBTC and her committee to better the quality of life for brain tumor patients.   She is active in teaching medical school students, residents, fellows, and advanced practice providers and is the Program Director of the PRTBRC neuro-oncology fellowship.     She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the United Council of Neurologic Subspecialties for neuro-oncology.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Neurosurgery · 2023 - Present Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology, Neurosurgery
Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Neurology · 2022 - Present Neurology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor in Neurology · 2023 - Present Neurology, Clinical Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2013 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published February 16, 2022
6 Brain Tumor Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
Published August 1, 2021
How Patients with Terminal Illnesses Get Access To Experimental Drugs
Published October 1, 2020
How to Ease Social Isolation During the Pandemic

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Recent Publications


New and Emerging Therapies for Patients with Low-Grade Glioma.

Journal Article CNS Drugs · January 2026 Both pediatric and adult patients can develop low-grade glioma (World Health Organization [WHO] grade 2), a type of primary brain tumor that can impact neurologic function and limit one's ability to thrive and survive. Traditionally, the treatment of low-g ... Full text Link to item Cite

Vorasidenib in IDH1-mutant or IDH2-mutant low-grade glioma (INDIGO): secondary and exploratory endpoints from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

Journal Article Lancet Oncol · December 2025 BACKGROUND: In a phase 3 trial, vorasidenib, an oral brain-penetrant inhibitor of mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2), resulted in improved progression-free survival (primary endpoint) and time to next intervention (key secondary endpoint) at ... Full text Link to item Cite

Neurocognitive outcomes in patients with brain metastases: a systematic review.

Journal Article Lancet Oncol · December 2025 Multimodality therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy, has significantly improved overall survival for patients with brain metastases. However, treatment-related neurocognitive sequelae remain a major challenge in survivorship. Altho ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Artistic Works


Brain & Life Podcast

Audio Recording January 1, 2022 Brain & Life Podcast

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Education, Training & Certifications


Stanford University · 2003 Ph.D.
Stanford University · 2003 M.D.