Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumor Program

National Institute On Deafness And Other Communication Disorders

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The goals of the Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumor Program are to 1) understand the impact that standard surgical, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments have on the sense of smell, 2) identify critical genes that drive tumor development, and determine their mechanism of action, and 3) assess the potential of these genes as therapeutic targets. We are particularly interested in olfactory neuroblastoma which is believed to arise from the olfactory epithelium. Annual Olfactory Neuroblastoma Patient Education Meeting Our second meeting this year was conducted virtually and had 60 participants. The meeting was an opportunity for patients and families to meet with physicians and scientists to discuss the state of affairs for olfactory neuroblastoma. We also created the Olfactory Neuroblastoma Virtual Community Series which discusses topics related to survivorship. We are obtained approval for a natural history study for adult and pediatric olfactory neuroblastoma which we hope to start enrolling soon (NCT04755205). The goal of this study is to characterize the natural history of ONB including clinical presentation, response to current treatment methods, and patterns of disease recurrence and progression. This also includes evaluation of changes in sense of smell and taste. We published a systematic review regarding the genomics and epigenetics of olfactory neuroblastoma. We organized a seminar series entitled 'Mechanisms of Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumorigenesis: Basic and Translational Research' which included expert national and international speakers. Lastly, we are actively developing several therapeutic clinical trials for olfactory neuroblastoma as well as other malignancies of the sinonasal cavity and skull base.