About the Tow Center for Developmental Oncology
The Tow Center for Developmental Oncology unites scientists across MSK to develop fundamental insights into the molecular mechanisms of cancers in children and young adults, and to devise new approaches for definitive therapy and control.
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Research of the Tow Center for Developmental Oncology

The Tow Center for Developmental Oncology has several ongoing research collaborations within and outside of MSKCC.

Learn more about our research

Andrew Kung, Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Faculty

The Tow Center for Developmental Oncology brings together investigators from across all of MSK. This includes basic scientists from the Sloan Kettering Institute, experts from MSK Kids (MSK’s pediatric program), and physician-scientists from Memorial Hospital and the Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program.

Meet our faculty

See publications and recent research from TCDO members here.

Our Awards

The Tow Center for Developmental Oncology funds internal investigators looking into the mechanisms of pediatric and young adult cancers.

Learn more about our awardees

Faculty Recruitment for the Tow Center for Developmental Oncology
The Tow Center for Developmental Oncology is recruiting scientists to join our world-renowned faculty conducting research focused on the biology, physiology, and molecular mechanisms of cancers in children and young adults. MSK’s ultimate goal is to make fundamental discoveries to develop definitive treatments for patients.
Apply to join our team MSK faculty: Learn how you can participate

Innovative Discoveries

Learn about our ongoing research.

Chrysothemis Brown
Thetis cells, a class of immune cells first described by MSK researchers in 2022, play an essential and previously unknown role in suppressing inflammatory responses to food, a new study finds.
MSK physician-scientist Alex Kentsis
Learn about a possible new treatment approach for soft tissue sarcomas.
MSK scientists Andrew Kung and Elli Papaemmanuil
By sequencing the entire genome of a tumor, the experimental test will go beyond standard testing for common cancers in adults.
Genetic counselor Elise Fiala and pediatric cancer expert Michael Walsh
Finding
The largest study of its kind to look at data from children with cancer finds inherited cancer genes are more common than expected.
Pediatric oncologist Nai-Kong Cheung
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug naxitamab (Danyelza) for the treatment of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. The drug, also known as humanized 3F8, was developed by researchers at MSK Kids, the pediatric cancer program at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Finding
New research focuses on clonal hematopoiesis, an age-related blood condition that increases the risk of blood cancer.
Cancer biologist and pediatric oncologist Alex Kentsis
In the Lab
A protein detected in the urine of children with Wilms’ tumor led to the development of a test to improve diagnosis and treatment.
Mutlinucleated muscle cells from flies
In the Lab
A new study in flies reveals a previously unknown type of cooperation at work in muscle cells.

 

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Ping Chi
Our Donor Community Drives Progress

Essential philanthropic support from The Tow Foundation and other generous donors allows the Tow Center for Developmental Oncology to advance research and care for kids with cancer worldwide.

Learn how our community makes an impact

 

The Robert Steel Symposium in Developmental Oncology
The Robert Steel Symposium in Developmental Oncology aims to bring outstanding scientists across the country to discuss the latest discoveries into the molecular mechanisms of cancers in children and young adults, and the development of new approaches for their definitive therapy and control.

Our Staff
 

Gabriella Casalena
Scientific Research Manager
Kulej
Scientific Research Lead
Colleen Maher
Senior Program Manager
Asher Preska Steinberg, PhD
Computational Biologist
Jinxin Zhang
Scientific Research Lead

For any questions about TCDO or its activities, please reach out to [email protected].