Michael D Deel | Scholars@Duke

Michael D Deel
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Dr. Deel is a clinician scientist in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. In addition to caring for pediatric patients with hematologic disorders or malignancy, his research focuses on finding novel ways to target fusion-positive pediatric sarcomas. His current work focuses on understanding the gene regulation and molecular pathways responsible for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, which is among the most difficult to cure pediatric cancers. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is driven by chromosomal translocations t(2;13) or t(1;13) that result in oncogenic transcription factors encoding for PAX3/7-FOXO1 fusion proteins. The PAX3/7-FOXO1 oncogenes are currently not viable therapeutic targets. Using a variety of cell culture and murine models, Dr. Deel is investigating genes and pathways that regulate or coordinate PAX3/7-FOXO1-mediated tumorigenesis.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology, Pediatrics 2021
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute, Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers 2018

Contact Information

Duke University Medical Center, Box 102382, Durham, NC 27710
Duke University, Box 102382, Durham, NC 27710
michael.deel@duke.edu (919) 681-6173
The Deel Lab

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Advanced Pediatric/Oncology Research Training, Pediatrics/Duke University School Of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine 2016 - 2017
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, Pediatrics/Duke University School Of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine 2013 - 2016
- Internshipand Residency, Pediatrics/University Of Louisville, University of Louisville 2010 - 2013
- M.D., Marshall University, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine 2010
Medical Licensure
- 01184. North Carolina. 2013
Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology, Pediatrics 2018 - 2020
- Medical Instructor in the Department of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology, Pediatrics 2017 - 2018
Recognition
In the News
- SEP 11, 2020 Hyundai Hope on Wheels
  
  Deel receives Hyundai Scholar Hope Award
- SEP 9, 2020 Hyundai Hope on Wheels
  
  Hyundai Hope On Wheels Presents Duke Children's with Grant for Childhood Cancer Research
- JUL 28, 2020 Duke Cancer Institute
  
  Sarcoma Awareness Month
- JUL 20, 2020 V Foundation
  
  Under the Microscope: Solving the Mysteries of an Aggressive Childhood Cancer
- MAY 23, 2020 Duke University Department of Pediatrics
  
  Deel selected to receive Strong Start Award
- FEB 8, 2019 Duke University Department of Pediatrics
  
  Faculty Spotlight: Michael D. Deel, MD
- JAN 2, 2019 V Foundation
  
  “Spirit of Jimmy V” Award funded by the 2018 Vitale Gale in honor of Holly Rowe
- JUL 2, 2018
  
  Aiden's Army St. Baldrick's Fellow
- SEP 7, 2016 St. Baldrick's Foundation
  
  St. Baldrick’s Foundation Supports Pediatric Cancer Moonshot Working Group’s Research Recommendations
- AUG 31, 2016 St. Baldrick's Foundation
  
  $257,685 Awarded to Duke University Medical Center to Support the Most Promising Childhood Cancer Research
Awards & Honors
- Best Basic Science Abstract. Duke Pediatrics Research Retreat. April 2017
- Early Career Travel Stipend Award. American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. April 2017
- Outstanding Abstract and Poster. Duke Pediatrics Research Retreat. April 2016
- Pediatrics Chairman’s Award with Honors. University of Louisville. June 2013
- Excellence in Clinical Education Award. University of Louisville. November 2011
Expertise
Subject Headings
Research
Selected Grants
- Preclinical studies of NUAK kinase inhibitors in fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma awarded by National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Inc. 2021 - 2023
- Novel vulnerabilities within PAX3-FOXO1 transcriptional programming for fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma awarded by Hyundai Hope on Wheels 2020 - 2022
- Investigating co-activator TAZ as a regulator of PAX3-FOXO1, cancer cell stemness, and chemoresistance in fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma awarded by V Foundation for Cancer Research 2018 - 2021
- Novel regulators of checkpoint adaptation in fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma awarded by Alex's Lemonade Stand 2021
- Investigating the role of the transcriptional coactivator TAZ in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma awarded by St. Baldrick's Foundation 2016 - 2019
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Rashid, Tooba, Rochelle Bagatell, Bruce Pawel, Rex C. Bentley, Susan G. Kreissman, and Michael D. Deel. “More Than Meets the Eye? A Cautionary Tale of Malignant Ectomesenchymoma Treated as Low-risk Orbital Rhabdomyosarcoma.” J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 43, no. 6 (August 1, 2021): e854–58. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPH.0000000000001901.
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  - Pacenta, Holly L., Wendy Allen-Rhoades, David Langenau, Peter J. Houghton, Charles Keller, Christine M. Heske, Michael D. Deel, et al. “Prioritization of Novel Agents for Patients with Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group (COG) New Agents for Rhabdomyosarcoma Task Force.” J Clin Med 10, no. 7 (April 1, 2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10071416.
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  - Rashid, Tooba, David H. Noyd, Natasha Iranzad, Joseph T. Davis, and Michael D. Deel. “Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Neonatal Sarcomas.” Clin Perinatol 48, no. 1 (March 2021): 117–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clp.2020.11.007.
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  - Slemmons, Katherine K., Michael D. Deel, Yi-Tzu Lin, Kristianne M. Oristian, Nina Kuprasertkul, Katia C. Genadry, Po-Han Chen, Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi, and Corinne M. Linardic. “A method to culture human alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines as rhabdospheres demonstrates an enrichment in stemness and Notch signaling.” Biol Open 10, no. 2 (February 9, 2021). https://doi.org/10.1242/bio.050211.
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  - Deel, Michael D. “Advances in the management of pediatric genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma.” Transl Androl Urol 9, no. 5 (October 2020): 2441–54. https://doi.org/10.21037/tau-20-480.
    Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
  - Lin, Yi-Tzu, Michael D. Deel, and Corinne M. Linardic. “RASSF4 is required for skeletal muscle differentiation.” Cell Biol Int 44, no. 2 (February 2020): 381–90. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbin.11238.
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  - Deel, Michael D., Katherine K. Slemmons, Ashley R. Hinson, Katia C. Genadry, Breanne A. Burgess, Lisa E. S. Crose, Nina Kuprasertkul, Kristianne M. Oristian, Rex C. Bentley, and Corinne M. Linardic. “The Transcriptional Coactivator TAZ Is a Potent Mediator of Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumorigenesis.” Clin Cancer Res 24, no. 11 (June 1, 2018): 2616–30. https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-17-1207.
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  - Deel, Michael D., Jenny J. Li, Lisa E. S. Crose, and Corinne M. Linardic. “A Review: Molecular Aberrations within Hippo Signaling in Bone and Soft-Tissue Sarcomas.” Front Oncol 5 (2015): 190. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2015.00190.
    Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
  - Deel, Michael D., Maiying Kong, Keith P. Cross, and Salvatore J. Bertolone. “Absolute lymphocyte counts as prognostic indicators for immune thrombocytopenia outcomes in children.” Pediatr Blood Cancer 60, no. 12 (December 2013): 1967–74. https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.24628.
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- Book Sections
  - Bellantoni, Andrew J., Avani Mangoli, and Michael D. Deel. “Hematology of Childhood and Adolescence.” In Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences. Elsevier, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-818872-9.00038-8.
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  - Mangoli, Avani, Andrew J. Bellantoni, and Michael D. Deel. “Oncology of Childhood and Adolescence.” In Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences. Elsevier, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-818872-9.00039-x.
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- Conference Papers
  - Rashid, Tooba, Breanne A. Burgess, Corinne M. Linardic, and Michael D. Deel. “Abstract 3882: YAP1 and WWTR1 (TAZ) positively regulate PAX3-FOXO1 transcriptional programming in fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma.” In Cancer Research, 80:3882–3882. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), 2020. https://doi.org/10.1158/1538-7445.am2020-3882.
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  - Deel, Michael, Tooba Rashid, Breanne Burgess, Crystal Chiu, Krislyn Cardoza, Sebnem Egriboyun, and Corinne Linardic. “YAP1 AND WWTR1 REGULATE PAX3-FOXO1 TRANSCRIPTIONAL PROGRAMMING IN FUSION-POSITIVE RHABDOMYOSARCOMA.” In Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 67:S126–S126. WILEY, 2020.
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  - Burgess, Breanne A., Katherine K. Slemmons, Corinne M. Linardic, and Michael D. Deel. “Abstract 3670: Transcriptional co-activators TAZ/YAP are novel regulators of PAX3-FOXO1 transcriptional programing and fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma cancer cell stemness.” In Cancer Research, 79:3670–3670. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), 2019. https://doi.org/10.1158/1538-7445.am2019-3670.
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  - Deel, Michael, Katherine Slemmons, Ashley Hinson, Lisa Crose, Nina Kupraserkul, Kristianne Oristian, Rex Bentley, and Corinne Linardic. “The Transcriptional Co-Activator TAZ is a Potent Mediator of Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumorigenesis.” In Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 64:S4–S4. WILEY, 2017.
    Link to Item
  - Deel, Michael, Katrina Slemmons, Rex Bentley, and Corinne Linardie. “INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF THE TRANSCRIPTIONAL CO-ACTIVATOR TAZ IN ALVEOLAR RHABDOMYOSARCOMA.” In Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 63:S63–64. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2016.
    Link to Item
  - Deel, Michael, Roger McLendon, Oren Becher, Matthias Karajannis, Jeffrey Wisoff, Carrie Muh, Kristin Schroeder, and Sri Gururangan. “HER2 AMPLIFICATION OR POLYSOMY CHROMOSOME 17 (PCH17) IN BRAINSTEM PILOCYTIC ASTROCYTOMA (PA).” In Neuro Oncology, 16:65–65. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC, 2014.
    Link to Item
  - Keskinyan, Vahakn, Tooba Rashid, Adam Pecoraro, Breanne Burgess, corinne Linardic, and Michael Deel. “YAP1 IS A KEY REGULATOR OF G2/M TRANSIT IN FUSION-POSITIVE RHABDOMYOSARCOMA,” n.d.
Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
Presentations & Appearances
- YAP/TAZ and TEADs as co-conspirators of fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma tumorigenesis. Telluride Scientific Conference - YAP/TAZ and TEADs: At the crossroads of cancer. June 2018 2018
- The transcriptional coactivator TAZ is a potent mediator of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma tumorigenesis. 2017 Annual Meeting. American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. April 2016 2016
Service to the Profession
- COG Soft Tissue Sarcoma Therapeutics Task Force Subcommittee member. Children's Oncology Group. 2019 2019
- COG Soft Tissue Sarcoma Biology Subcommittee member. Children's Oncology Group. July 3, 2017 2017
Clinical Activities
- Dr. Deel cares for children with hematologic conditions and for children with cancer.

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Education, Training, & Certifications

Medical Licensure

Previous Appointments & Affiliations

In the News

Awards & Honors

Subject Headings

Selected Grants

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Book Sections

Conference Papers

Presentations & Appearances

Service to the Profession

Clinical Activities