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Sylvia Kurz, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of NeurologyCards
About
Sylvia Kurz, MD, PhD, has been named an Associate Professor of Neurology (Neuro-Oncology) and is dedicated to the care of patients with neuro-oncological disorders as part of the Chênevert Family Brain Tumor Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center.
Clinical Care
As a passionate clinician, Dr. Kurz has vast experience with the full spectrum of neuro-oncological disorders and cares for patients with primary and secondary tumors affecting the central nervous system and neurological complications of cancer and cancer therapies. This includes patients with glioblastoma, glioma, meningioma, primary CNS lymphoma, metastases to the brain and meninges.
Overview
Sylvia Kurz, MD, PhD, specializes in neuro-oncology and provides care for patients with brain tumors as part of the Chênevert Family Brain Tumor Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center.
An associate professor of neurology at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Kurz's research focuses on developing new therapies and improving existing treatment protocols for brain tumors.
Dr. Kurz earned her medical and doctoral degrees from Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Germany. She completed her residency at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and a fellowship in neuro-oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Clinical Specialties
Neuro-Oncology
Fact Sheets
Brain Tumors
Learn More on Yale MedicineMeningiomas
Learn More on Yale MedicinePrimary Brain Tumors
Learn More on Yale MedicineNeoplasm (Tumor)
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Board Certifications
Neuro-Oncology
- Certification Organization
- United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties
- Latest Certification Date
- 2024
- Original Certification Date
- 2014
Yale Medicine News
Research
As a clinical investigator, Dr. Kurz is focused on developing more effective treatment options for patients with intracranial tumors, in particular high-grade gliomas and progressive, therapy-resistant meningiomas. She has served as principal investigator and co-investigator on numerous investigator-initiated, cooperative group and industry-sponsored clinical studies.
Publications
Featured Publications
Evaluation of the SSTR2-targeted Radiopharmaceutical 177Lu-DOTATATE and SSTR2-specific 68Ga-DOTATATE PET as Imaging Biomarker in Patients with Intracranial Meningioma.
Kurz S, Zan E, Cordova C, Troxel A, Barbaro M, Silverman J, Snuderl M, Zagzag D, Kondziolka D, Golfinos J, Chi A, Sulman E. Evaluation of the SSTR2-targeted Radiopharmaceutical 177Lu-DOTATATE and SSTR2-specific 68Ga-DOTATATE PET as Imaging Biomarker in Patients with Intracranial Meningioma. Clinical Cancer Research 2023, 30: 680-686. PMID: 38048045, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-2533.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProgression-free survivalSomatostatin receptor type 2PFS-6Stable diseaseOverall survivalIntracranial meningiomasSingle-arm phase II clinical studyMedian progression-free survivalPhase II clinical studyImaging biomarkersCourse of radiationReceptor type 2Multicenter clinical trialMacdonald criteriaMedian OSRadiographic responseProgressive meningiomasTumor measurementsTumor resectionMedian agePrimary endpointRadiotherapeutic interventionSecondary endpointsMedical therapyAdult patients
2025
IMG-72. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET as imaging biomarker for response assessment and monitoring in patients receiving [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE for advanced intracranial meningioma
Kurz S, Zan E, Peereboom D, Cordova C, Lobbous M, Barbaro M, Malkin M, Miller A, Dhawan A, Silverman J, Snuderl M, Zagzag D, Golfinos J, Kondziolka D, Troxel A, Friedman K, Sulman E, Shepherd T. IMG-72. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET as imaging biomarker for response assessment and monitoring in patients receiving [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE for advanced intracranial meningioma. Neuro-Oncology 2025, 27: v290-v290. PMCID: PMC12601298, DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaf201.1151.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchKrenning scoreSomatostatin receptor 2Superior sagittal sinusStable diseasePartial responseResponse assessmentGadolinium-enhanced T1 MRIOpen-label clinical trialImaging biomarkersTreatment-refractory meningiomasStandardized uptake valueGroup of patientsRANO criteriaStereotactic radiosurgeryRadiographic responseMeningioma therapyMethods PatientsIntracranial meningiomasUptake valueMeningioma lesionsReceptor 2Sagittal sinusMRI assessmentClinical trialsMeningiomasTIP-11. MOMENTUM-1: a multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase 2 study of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in adults with progressive grade 1-3 meningioma (RTOG 3523)
Kurz S, Rabbee N, Wen P, Kalapurakal J, Peereboom D, Bi L, Huang R, Ivanidze J, Perry A, Cahill J, Johnson D, Mehta M, Sulman E. TIP-11. MOMENTUM-1: a multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase 2 study of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in adults with progressive grade 1-3 meningioma (RTOG 3523). Neuro-Oncology 2025, 27: v422-v422. PMCID: PMC12601654, DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaf201.1671.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchProgression-free survivalWHO grade 1Standard of careSomatostatin receptor 2Grade 1PFS-6Open-labelMedical therapyAdult patientsIntervention treatment armProgressive grade 1Aggressive clinical coursePhase II studyCourse of radiationLow-grade tumorsPhase 2 studyOpen-label studyEligibility criteriaEffective medical therapyNon-randomized studiesPatient-reported outcomesRadioligand therapyIndolent behaviorNeuroendocrine tumorsII studyCTNI-41. RESULTS OF A SINGLE-ARM, OPEN-LABEL, MULTICENTER PHASE 2 STUDY OF THE RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL [177LU]LU-DOTA-TATE IN ADULTS WITH ADVANCED INTRACRANIAL MENINGIOMA
Kurz S, Zan E, Cordova C, Lobbous M, Barbaro M, Malkin M, Miller A, Dhawan A, Torres-Trejo A, Stevens G, Silverman J, Snuderl M, Zagzag D, Golfinos J, Kondziolka D, Shepherd T, Troxel A, Friedman K, Sulman E. CTNI-41. RESULTS OF A SINGLE-ARM, OPEN-LABEL, MULTICENTER PHASE 2 STUDY OF THE RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL [177LU]LU-DOTA-TATE IN ADULTS WITH ADVANCED INTRACRANIAL MENINGIOMA. Neuro-Oncology 2025, 27: v135-v135. PMCID: PMC12600690, DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaf201.0537.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchProgression-free survivalPFS-6Phase 2 studySomatostatin receptor 2Intracranial meningiomasStable diseasePartial responseOpen-labelMulticenter phase 2 studyPhase 2 clinical trialObjective response rateTreatment-limiting toxicityAggressive clinical courseCourse of radiationPhase 2 trialOncological entityData cutoffProgressive meningiomasEffective medical treatmentNeuroendocrine tumorsOverall survivalTumor measurementsTumor resectionClinical courseMedian ageP05.19.A CLINICAL OUTCOME OF BIOMARKER-GUIDED THERAPIES IN ADULT NEURO-ONCOLOGY PATIENTS: AN UPDATE FROM THE TÜBINGEN MOLECULAR TUMOR BOARD COHORT
Rieger D, Becker H, Walter B, Doerner L, Kurz S, Gani C, Neumann M, Rieß O, Schroeder C, Ossowski S, Fend F, Singer S, Nahnsen S, Ernemann U, Sundberg-Malek H, Schittenhelm J, Bitzer M, Malek N, Tatagiba M, Renovanz M, Tabatabai G. P05.19.A CLINICAL OUTCOME OF BIOMARKER-GUIDED THERAPIES IN ADULT NEURO-ONCOLOGY PATIENTS: AN UPDATE FROM THE TÜBINGEN MOLECULAR TUMOR BOARD COHORT. Neuro-Oncology 2025, 27: iii69-iii69. PMCID: PMC12493644, DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaf193.224.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMolecular tumor boardProgression-free survivalNeuro-oncology patientsAdvanced tumorsMolecular profilingMolecularly guided therapyComprehensive molecular profilingTargeted therapy recommendationsFollow-up dataRoutine clinical practiceClinical benefitTherapeutic optionsAdult patientsBiomarker-guidedClinical outcomesTreated patientsTumor boardTherapy recommendationsPatientsObservational studyPrecision oncologyEvidence levelNervous systemClinical practiceCohortCase Report: Unlocking opportunities in HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugates for bulky leptomeningeal metastatic breast cancer
Leal A, Kondziolka D, Pacione D, Antwi S, Kurz S, Lin N, Adams S. Case Report: Unlocking opportunities in HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugates for bulky leptomeningeal metastatic breast cancer. Frontiers In Oncology 2025, 15: 1559085. PMID: 40881856, PMCID: PMC12380859, DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1559085.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMetastatic breast cancerAntibody-drug conjugatesLeptomeningeal carcinomatosisTrastuzumab deruxtecanBreast cancerSevere complicationsComplication of metastatic breast cancerHER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugateHER2+ metastatic breast cancerHER2+ breast cancerMedian overall survivalCNS metastasesBrain metastasesLeptomeningeal diseaseOverall survivalCNS involvementProgressive diseaseProlonged survivalTherapeutic optionsTherapeutic advancesClinical trialsDeruxtecanMolecular profilingQuality of lifePatientsEfficacy and safety of dordaviprone (ONC201) in prospective clinical trials of adult and pediatric recurrent H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma patients.
Sumrall A, Allen J, Bagley S, Brundage T, Butowski N, Clymer J, Haggiagi A, Koschmann C, Kurz S, MacDonald T, Majd N, Mueller S, Ramage S, Tarapore R, Thomas R, Umemura Y, Zaky W, Odia Y. Efficacy and safety of dordaviprone (ONC201) in prospective clinical trials of adult and pediatric recurrent H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma patients. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2025, 43: 10017-10017. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.10017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTreatment-related adverse eventsTime to responseProspective clinical trialPartial responseRANO criteriaArm BTumor regressionDiffuse gliomasH3 K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomaClinical trialsH3 K27M-mutant gliomasIntegrated analysis of patientsLansky performance statusTreatment-related deathsDiffuse midline gliomaAnalysis of patientsDiffuse glioma patientsClinical trial armsInvestigator-assessedPFS ratesOS ratesRadiographic responseSpinal tumorsCSF disseminationLeptomeningeal diseaseAssessing the clinical benefit from medical therapies in CNS malignancies: Refining the ESMO Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale and the ASCO Value Framework
Kurz S, Renovanz M, Bitzer M, Niyazi M, Malek N, Tatagiba M, Tabatabai G. Assessing the clinical benefit from medical therapies in CNS malignancies: Refining the ESMO Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale and the ASCO Value Framework. Neuro-Oncology Advances 2025, 7: vdaf127. PMID: 40980453, PMCID: PMC12445679, DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaf127.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNeuro-oncology studiesClinical benefitPatient cohortRandomized phase 3 clinical trialESMO-Magnitude of Clinical Benefit ScalePhase 3 clinical trialsMagnitude of Clinical Benefit ScaleMagnitude of clinical benefitProspective assessmentComprehensive molecular profilingSingle-arm studyAssessment of clinical outcomesTargeted therapy recommendationsClinically relevant toolASCO Value FrameworkTreatment-related burdenAmerican SocietyLongitudinal observational studyCNS malignanciesMedical therapyTreatment cohortsClinical outcomesRadiographic outcomesTreatment responseAntitumor therapy
2024
CTNI-54. RESPONSE BY RANO2.0 CRITERIA IN ONC201 (DORDAVIPRONE)-TREATED PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT H3 K27M-MUTANT DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMA
Cloughesy T, Allen J, Arrillaga-Romany I, Barbaro M, Batchelor T, Butowski N, Cluster A, de Groot J, Graber J, Haggiagi A, Kilburn L, Kurz S, Melemed A, Ramage S, Salacz M, Shonka N, Sumrall A, Tarapore R, Taylor L, Wen P. CTNI-54. RESPONSE BY RANO2.0 CRITERIA IN ONC201 (DORDAVIPRONE)-TREATED PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT H3 K27M-MUTANT DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMA. Neuro-Oncology 2024, 26: viii109-viii109. PMCID: PMC11552873, DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noae165.0421.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDiffuse midline gliomaH3 K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomaH3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomaMidline gliomaResponse assessmentTarget lesionsMedian duration of responseMedian time to responseProgression free survival rateDiffuse intrinsic pontine gliomaBlinded independent central reviewAssociated with overall survivalNon-enhancing diseaseDisease control ratePrimary spinal tumorsDuration of responseFree survival rateIntrinsic pontine gliomaImproved performance statusIndependent central reviewClinically meaningful efficacyTime to responseOverall response rateAnti-cancer therapyComplete responseCase report: Solitary mass of the sciatic nerve confirmed as a primary extranodal manifestation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a geriatric patient
Becker H, Vogelsberg A, Feucht D, Estler A, Tafrali D, Schittenhelm J, Milla J, Kurz S, Fend F, Tatagiba M, Schuhmann M, Hurth H. Case report: Solitary mass of the sciatic nerve confirmed as a primary extranodal manifestation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a geriatric patient. Frontiers In Oncology 2024, 14: 1354073. PMID: 38585009, PMCID: PMC10995294, DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1354073.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDiffuse large B-cell lymphomaMalignant peripheral nerve sheath tumorManifestation of diffuse large B-cell lymphomaLarge B-cell lymphomaPeripheral nerve sheath tumorsB-cell lymphomaContrast-enhancing lesionsNerve sheath tumorsComprehensive diagnostic workupSheath tumorsSciatic nerveExtranodal manifestationsHematologic neoplasmsSolitary massTumor boardAcute onsetBenign peripheral nerve sheath tumorsPeripheral nervesPalliative local radiotherapyRadical tumor resectionHigh-grade malignancyInterdisciplinary tumor boardRadiological diagnostic featuresInfiltration of nervesIndividualized treatment approach
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Randomized Phase II Trial of Anti-Lag-3 and Anti-PD-1 Blockade vs. SOC in Patients With Recurrent Glioblastoma
HIC ID2000038850RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date05/31/2025Recruiting ParticipantsPhase II Trial of SMO/ AKT/ NF2/CDK Inhibitors in Progressive Meningiomas With SMO/ AKT/ NF2/CDK Pathway Mutations
HIC ID2000021311RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date10/31/2024Recruiting Participants
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