Memorial Sloan Kettering medical oncologist Ingo Mellinghoff

Ingo K. Mellinghoff, MD, FACP

Neuro-Oncologist

My Role at MSK

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Brain Tumors
  • Drug Development

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About Me

What I Do at MSK
  • Chair, Department of Neurology
  • Chief, Brain Tumor Service
  • Evnin Family Chair in Neuro-Oncology
Get To Know Me

I am a medical oncologist specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, with a focus on low-grade glioma and glioblastoma.

As Chair of the Department of Neurology, I lead a team of experts in neuro-oncology, neurology, clinical neurophysiology, clinical neuropsychology, and rehabilitation medicine. We evaluate and treat people with all types of primary brain tumors (tumors that start in the brain). We also care for patients with brain metastases or leptomeningeal (LEP-toh-meh-NIN-jee-ul) metastases from other cancers, neurologic effects of cancer or its treatment, and a broad range of conditions requiring physical rehabilitation.

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When people with a primary brain tumor see me, they are often worried about what type of tumor they have and the next steps. “How fast is the tumor growing?” “What treatments are available for this type of brain cancer?” and “How well will treatment work?” are some of the most common questions that I hear.

Receiving a brain cancer diagnosis is always difficult. I remind my patients that they have the support not only of myself, but of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) team as a whole. They help me make the correct diagnosis, understand cancer risk for family members, and perform and review specialized imaging tests. We work together to deliver state-of-the-art neurosurgical or radiation treatments, address medical conditions associated with brain tumors or their treatment (such as seizures, blood clots, or cognitive and behavioral changes), give neurological and physical rehabilitation when needed, and address other needs to help get you back to the activities you most care about. The breadth and depth of expertise within MSK’s brain tumor management team is truly exceptional; it allows us to create a personalized treatment plan for each patient.

If the best treatment is available through a clinical trial, I help patients understand what to expect. I believe in using clear, honest communication to build a foundation of trust. I strive to provide understanding, empathy, and specialized treatment that is tailored to each patient’s unique background and goals.

I, like so many of my colleagues at MSK, have dedicated my life to caring for people with cancer. My research focuses on the discovery and development of more effective and less toxic anticancer treatments. During my oncology training at the University of California, Los Angeles, I witnessed the first breakthroughs with drugs that target very specific mutations in cancer cells. My laboratory studies how certain genetic alterations in tumor cells allow them to grow but may also create a vulnerability that could be exploited for the treatment of these tumors.

Our laboratory studies in experimental models are often linked to our evaluation of new treatment approaches in patients, including an examination of tumor biopsies and cerebrospinal fluid. Our research on isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutated glioma, for example, started over a decade ago with experiments in cell lines. This work culminated in a phase 3 study called the “INDIGO” trial. Results showed that a new IDH inhibitor called vorasidenib reduces tumor growth and delays the need for more toxic therapies in people with IDH-mutant, low-grade glioma.

In addition to providing patient care and conducting research, I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of physicians and scientists during our work together in the clinic, in the laboratory, and through MSK’s exceptional training programs for postdocs, graduate students, undergraduate students, and high school students.

My Role at MSK

A neuro-oncologist is a doctor with special training in cancers that affect the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles. This includes brain tumors and central nervous system tumors.

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Brain Tumors
  • Drug Development
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, Technische Universität Műnchen

Residencies

  • Internal Medicine - University of California, Los Angeles
  • Chief Resident Internal Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles

Awards and Honors

  • Castle Connolly: Top Doctors (2020-2024)
  • Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly (2023)
  • Clarivate List of Highly Cited Researchers (2021-2023)
  • New York Magazine: Top Doctors (2021-2022)
  • Associate Editor, Journal of Clinical Oncology (2012-2022)
  • Neuro-Oncology Scientific Award, American Academy of Neurology
  • Member (elected), Association of American Physicians
  • Fellow, American College of Physicians
  • Outstanding Investigator Award (R35), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
  • Member (elected), American Society of Clinical Investigation
  • Advanced Clinical Research Award in Glioma, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
  • Translational Science Award, Sidney Kimmel Foundation
  • Distinguished Scientist Award, Sontag Foundation

Fellowships

  • Medical Oncology and Hematology - University of California, Los Angeles

Board Certifications

  • Internal Medicine
  • Medical Oncology
  • Hematology

Insurance Information

Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.

Aetna

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (MTA retirees only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield New York

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS

Blue Cross Health Plus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Carrum Health

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

Cigna

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

MSK has a tentative agreement with Cigna to continue coverage in 2024.

Connecticare

In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.

Emblem Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO, DSN

Empire Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Fidelis

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

First Health

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Healthfirst

In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

Horizon Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Magnacare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

MVP

In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

In Network Coverage Type
TBD

Oscar

In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO

Oxford

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Qualcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

UMR

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS

United Healthcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.

If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.

If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.

Make an Appointment

Current Patients

Request an appointment by logging on to MyMSK or calling your doctor’s office. If you aren’t registered for MyMSK, call 646-227-2593 for your Enrollment ID.

Contact and Location

Dr. Mellinghoff sees patients at one location.

Patients & Clinical
Location
New York, NY
160 East 53rd Street New York NY 10022

Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.

Colleagues

Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.

See all Brain Tumor Service doctors

Clinical Trials

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Smiling doctors in the lab
Find a Clinical Trial for You

Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.

You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.

Search clinical trials

Research and Publications

View Dr. Mellinghoff's Lab

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Mellinghoff’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

See all on PubMed

Disclosures

Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.

MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.

Ingo K. Mellinghoff discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

  • American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc.
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Roche
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Servier
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Voyager Therapeutics Inc.
    Professional Services and Activities

If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.

The information published here is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.


This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2022 through disclosure submission in spring 2023). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.

Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].


View all disclosures