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Sylvia Kurz, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurology, Neuro-OncologyCards
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
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)
Learn More on Yale Medicine
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
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 responseONC201 (Dordaviprone) in Recurrent H3 K27M–Mutant Diffuse Midline Glioma
Arrillaga-Romany I, Gardner S, Odia Y, Aguilera D, Allen J, Batchelor T, Butowski N, Chen C, Cloughesy T, Cluster A, de Groot J, Dixit K, Graber J, Haggiagi A, Harrison R, Kheradpour A, Kilburn L, Kurz S, Lu G, MacDonald T, Mehta M, Melemed A, Nghiemphu P, Ramage S, Shonka N, Sumrall A, Tarapore R, Taylor L, Umemura Y, Wen P. ONC201 (Dordaviprone) in Recurrent H3 K27M–Mutant Diffuse Midline Glioma. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2024, 42: 1542-1552. PMID: 38335473, PMCID: PMC11095894, DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.01134.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsH3 K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomaDiffuse midline gliomaDuration of responseTime to responseHigh-grade gliomasLow-grade gliomasMidline gliomaMedian duration of responseMedian time to responseTreatment-emergent adverse eventsEnd pointsBlinded independent central reviewCorticosteroid dose reductionIndependent central reviewSecondary end pointsClinically meaningful efficacyRadiographic end pointsSpinal tumorsDose reductionDismal prognosisCentral reviewPerformance scoresCorticosteroid responseResponse assessmentAdverse eventsPractical guidance for direct oral anticoagulant use in the treatment of venous thromboembolism in primary and metastatic brain tumor patients
Ranjan S, Leung D, Ghiaseddin A, Taylor J, Lobbous M, Dhawan A, Budhu J, Coffee E, Melnick K, Chowdhary S, Lu‐Emerson C, Kurz S, Burke J, Lam K, Patel M, Dunbar E, Mohile N, Peters K. Practical guidance for direct oral anticoagulant use in the treatment of venous thromboembolism in primary and metastatic brain tumor patients. Cancer 2024, 130: 1577-1589. PMID: 38288941, DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35220.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDirect oral anticoagulantsLow-molecular-weight heparinVenous thromboembolismIntracranial hemorrhageBrain tumorsEfficacy of direct oral anticoagulantsMetastatic brain tumor patientsRisk of intracranial hemorrhageTreatment of venous thromboembolismManagement of venous thromboembolismMetastatic brain tumorsOral anticoagulant useTreat venous thromboembolismOff-label useBrain tumor patientsBrain metastasesOral anticoagulantsAnticoagulant useTumor patientsClinical trialsPatientsClinical guidanceThromboembolismGlioblastomaHeparinGlioblastom – aktuelle Therapiekonzepte
Rieger D, Renovanz M, Kurz S, Bombach P, Paulsen F, Roder C, Tatagiba M, Niyazi M, Tabatabai G. Glioblastom – aktuelle Therapiekonzepte. Die Onkologie 2024, 30: 145-156. DOI: 10.1007/s00761-024-01473-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchClinical trialsWorld Health Organization classificationCombination of radiotherapyFirst-line therapyDiagnosis of glioblastomaPatterns of disease progressionTherapeutic clinical trialsTumor Treating FieldsCurrent treatment conceptsCentral nervous systemNeuro-oncology careTemozolomide chemotherapyFirst-linePostoperative therapyPrimary neoplasmsOrganization classificationUnfavorable prognosisTumor progressionClinical statusDisease progressionTreatment conceptTreatment recommendationsBiomarker-basedNervous systemGlioblastomaApp-based assessment of patient-reported outcomes in the Molecular Tumor Board in the Center for Personalized Medicine—(TRACE)
Dörner L, Grosse L, Stange F, Hille H, Kurz S, Becker H, Volkmer S, Hippler M, Rieger D, Bombach P, Rieger J, Weinert L, Svensson L, Anders C, Cekin S, Paulsen F, Öner Ö, Ruhm K, Malek H, Möller Y, Tatagiba M, Wallwiener M, Eckert N, Escher P, Pfeifer N, Forschner A, Bauer A, Zips D, Bitzer M, Malek N, Gani C, Tabatabai G, Renovanz M. App-based assessment of patient-reported outcomes in the Molecular Tumor Board in the Center for Personalized Medicine—(TRACE). Neuro-Oncology Practice 2024, 11: 336-346. PMID: 38737615, PMCID: PMC11085831, DOI: 10.1093/nop/npae002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHealth care professionalsHealth-related quality of lifePatient-reported outcomesAssessment of patient-reported outcomesQuality of lifePRO assessmentSystematic assessment of patient-reported outcomesAssessment of health-related quality of lifeElectronic PRO assessmentMedian distress scoreMayring's qualitative content analysisApp-based assessmentsEORTC QLQ-C30 instrumentHealth-related qualityBurden of symptomsPilot studyQualitative content analysisGlobal health scoreQLQ-C30 instrumentSmartphone applicationNeuro-oncology patientsSemi-structured interviewsInterdisciplinary expert panelCare professionalsPatient perspective
2023
NCOG-29. THE NEURO-ONCOLOGY MAGNITUDE OF CLINICAL BENEFIT SCALE (NEURO-MCBS) AS A COMPREHENSIVE AND CLINICALLY RELEVANT ASSESSMENT TOOL TO DETERMINE CLINICAL BENEFIT FROM TARGETED THERAPIES IN CNS TUMORS
Kurz S, Renovanz M, Rieger J, Bombach P, Grosse L, Rieger D, Hucker S, Hille H, Hippler M, Oener O, Ruhm K, Beha J, Malek H, Moeller Y, Bitzer M, Malek N, Tabatabai G. NCOG-29. THE NEURO-ONCOLOGY MAGNITUDE OF CLINICAL BENEFIT SCALE (NEURO-MCBS) AS A COMPREHENSIVE AND CLINICALLY RELEVANT ASSESSMENT TOOL TO DETERMINE CLINICAL BENEFIT FROM TARGETED THERAPIES IN CNS TUMORS. Neuro-Oncology 2023, 25: v220-v220. PMCID: PMC10639832, DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad179.0842.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchProgression-free survivalCNS tumorsBrain metastasesTargeted therapyClinical benefitTherapy optionsFirst-line therapy optionTreatment efficacyDegree of clinical benefitClinical utilityMagnitude of Clinical Benefit ScaleNeuro-oncological conditionsSecondary CNS tumorsOutcome dataPhase I studyComprehensive molecular profilingOff-label therapyOutcome measuresAssessment of treatment efficacyClinical outcome dataAssess treatment efficacySurvival outcome dataPFS2/PFS1 ratioLongitudinal observational studyPerformance statusNCOG-32. THE SPECIFIC PSYCHOSOCIAL BURDEN OF CAREGIVERS OF ADULT NEURO-ONCOLOGICAL PATIENTS - A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Spieker M, Rapp M, Goebel S, Karger A, Rieger D, Grosse L, Bombach P, Kurz S, Hippler M, Tatagiba M, Sabel M, Tabatabai G, Renovanz M. NCOG-32. THE SPECIFIC PSYCHOSOCIAL BURDEN OF CAREGIVERS OF ADULT NEURO-ONCOLOGICAL PATIENTS - A PROSPECTIVE STUDY. Neuro-Oncology 2023, 25: v221-v221. PMCID: PMC10639804, DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad179.0845.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchProblem listLoved-oneQualitative interviewsNeuro-oncology caregiversPsychosocial screening toolQualitative content analysisOptimization of careNeurooncology patientsPatients' caregiversInductive/deductive approachProblem categoriesPsychological supportCaregiversOutpatient visitsUnmet needsCoping strategiesScreening toolPsychological problemsLeisure activitiesContent analysisThermometer scaleCancer patientsTargeted assessmentInterviewsProspective studyTowards more Diversity in Neuro-oncology Leadership—the DivINe Initiative
Kurz S, Stammberger A, Rosahl S, Abrey L, Albert N, von Baumgarten L, Gempt J, Grosu A, Leidgens V, McLean A, Renovanz M, Schwarzenberger J, Sevenich L, Purkart T, Combs S, Tabatabai G, Hegi M, Nowosielski M. Towards more Diversity in Neuro-oncology Leadership—the DivINe Initiative. Neuro-Oncology 2023, 25: 2302-2304. PMID: 37738478, PMCID: PMC10708925, DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad157.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchP08.03.A CAREGIVERS OF ADULT NEURO-ONCOLOGICAL PATIENTS: UNMET NEEDS AND RELEVANT PROBLEMS - A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Spieker M, Rapp M, Rieger D, Bombach P, Kurz S, Tatagiba M, Sabel M, Tabatabai G, Renovanz M. P08.03.A CAREGIVERS OF ADULT NEURO-ONCOLOGICAL PATIENTS: UNMET NEEDS AND RELEVANT PROBLEMS - A PROSPECTIVE STUDY. Neuro-Oncology 2023, 25: ii55-ii56. PMCID: PMC10489286, DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad137.178.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchQualitative interviewsUnmet needsHolistic needs assessmentPsychosocial screening toolQualitative content analysisCaregiver burdenPsycho-oncologistsPatients' caregiversProblem listNeeds assessmentPsychological supportCaregiversDepressive symptomsOutpatient visitsSpiritual problemsCoping strategiesEmotional problemsScreening toolSource of strengthPsychological problemsLeisure activitiesContent analysisThermometer scaleInterviewsTargeted assessment
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
A Phase II Double-blind, RandomizEd, Prospective, Placebo Controlled STudy of NanO2TM Combined With Radiation and Temozolomide in Patients With Newly-diagnosed Glioblastoma multiformE: RESTORE
HIC ID2000037963RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2025Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase III Trial of Pre-Operative Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) Versus Post-Operative SRS for Brain Metastases
HIC ID2000036148RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date01/31/2027Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18+ yearsAn Open-label Phase II Study to Investigate the Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of Tirabrutinib in Patients With Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL)
HIC ID2000032308RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2024Recruiting 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 ParticipantsAn Open-Label, Dose Escalation and Dose Expansion Trial Evaluating the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Clinical Activity of Orally Administered CA-4948 in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
HIC ID2000022049RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date08/31/2026Recruiting Participants
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Yale Cancer Center
15 York Street, LLCI 920, PO Box 208028
New Haven, CT 06520-8028
United States
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Locations
Lippard Laboratory of Clinical Investigation (LLCI)
Academic Office
15 York Street, Fl 9, Ste 920, Rm 920E
New Haven, CT 06510
Business Office
203.737.7084Patient Care Locations
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