Juan Vasquez, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Hematology/Oncology)Cards
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Associate Program Director, Pediatrics Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, Pediatrics
About
Titles
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Hematology/Oncology)
Associate Program Director, Pediatrics Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, Pediatrics
Appointments
Pediatric Hematology & Oncology
Assistant ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Cancer Immunology
- Human and Translational Immunology Program
- Janeway Society
- Molecular Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology
- Pediatric Hematology & Oncology
- Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Program
- Pediatrics
- Program in Translational Biomedicine (PTB)
- Vasquez Lab
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
- Yale Medicine
- YCC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Education & Training
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
- Yale School of Medicine (2016)
- MHS
- Yale School of Medicine (2016)
- Pediatric Residency
- Brown Medical School/Rhode Island Hospital (2013)
- MD
- Brown University (2010)
- BA
- Harvard University (2006)
Research
Overview
Medical Research Interests
ORCID
0000-0002-9031-7639- View Lab Website
Vasquez Lab
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Anita Huttner, MD
Asher Marks, MD
Ranjit S. Bindra, MD, PhD
Susan Gueble, MD, PhD
Aladine Elsamadicy, MD
Farzana Pashankar, MD, MRCP, MBBS
Brain Neoplasms
Immunotherapy
Publications
Featured Publications
Development of Syngeneic Murine Glioma Models with Somatic Mismatch Repair Deficiency to Study Therapeutic Responses to Alkylating Agents and Immunotherapy
Bhatt D, Sundaram R, López K, Lee T, Gueble S, Vasquez J. Development of Syngeneic Murine Glioma Models with Somatic Mismatch Repair Deficiency to Study Therapeutic Responses to Alkylating Agents and Immunotherapy. Current Protocols 2025, 5: e70097. PMID: 39995104, DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.70097.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsImproved response to immune checkpoint blockadeGlioma modelResponse to immune checkpoint blockadeAlkylating agentsImmune checkpoint blockadeIncrease tumor immunogenicityMurine glioma modelMurine glioma cell lineResponse to alkylating agentsResistance to temozolomideDNA repair genotypesMMR deficiencyAntitumor immunityCheckpoint blockadeTumor immunogenicityMedian survivalImmunocompetent modelDismal prognosisMismatch repairMismatch repair deficiencyGlioma cell linesIntracranial tumorsAlkylating chemotherapySomatic lossSomatic acquisitionNAPRT Silencing in FH-Deficient Renal Cell Carcinoma Confers Therapeutic Vulnerabilities via NAD+ Depletion
Noronha K, Lucas K, Paradkar S, Edmonds J, Friedman S, Murray M, Liu S, Sajed D, Sachs C, Spurrier J, Raponi M, Liang J, Zeng H, Sundaram R, Shuch B, Vasquez J, Bindra R. NAPRT Silencing in FH-Deficient Renal Cell Carcinoma Confers Therapeutic Vulnerabilities via NAD+ Depletion. Molecular Cancer Research 2024, 22: of1-of16. PMID: 38949523, PMCID: PMC11445649, DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-23-1003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRenal cell carcinomaCellular processesCell carcinomaFumarate hydrataseImpact diverse cellular processesAlpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenasesDiverse cellular processesAccumulation of fumaratePreiss-Handler pathwayMultiple cellular processesLoss of function mutationsAssociated with silencingNicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase inhibitorPattern of hypermethylationFH-deficient renal cell carcinomasSynergistic tumor cell killingAggressive subtype of renal cell carcinomaLoss of FHSubtype of renal cell carcinomaDNA repair processesPoly(ADP)-ribose polymerase inhibitorsCpG islandsTumor cell killingPreiss-HandlerCell line models
2024
Therapeutic Targeting of DNA Repair Pathways in Pediatric Extracranial Solid Tumors: Current State and Implications for Immunotherapy
Zhao S, Prior D, Heske C, Vasquez J. Therapeutic Targeting of DNA Repair Pathways in Pediatric Extracranial Solid Tumors: Current State and Implications for Immunotherapy. Cancers 2024, 16: 1648. PMID: 38730598, PMCID: PMC11083679, DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091648.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDNA damage repair inhibitorsPediatric extracranial solid tumorDNA damage repair deficiencyExtracranial solid tumorSolid tumorsDNA damage repairResponse to immune checkpoint blockadeCombinations of DDR inhibitorsEnhance tumor immunogenicityImmune checkpoint blockadePediatric solid tumorsTherapeutic targetPediatric clinical trialsDNA damage repair pathwaysDDR pathwaysCheckpoint blockadeTumor immunogenicityDNA damagePediatric tumorsPotential therapeutic targetDDR inhibitorsClinical trialsTumorHuman cancersRepair DNA damageAntitumor efficacy of a sequence-specific DNA-targeted γPNA-based c-Myc inhibitor
Malik S, Pradeep S, Kumar V, Xiao Y, Deng Y, Fan R, Vasquez J, Singh V, Bahal R. Antitumor efficacy of a sequence-specific DNA-targeted γPNA-based c-Myc inhibitor. Cell Reports Medicine 2024, 5: 101354. PMID: 38183981, PMCID: PMC10829792, DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101354.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsTarget genomic DNAGenomic DNASequencing of genomic DNAGenomic DNA levelInhibit c-myc transcriptionC-myc transcriptionGenomic DNA targetsTarget oncogenesMultiple cell linesC-Myc inhibitorCancer therapyHistone deacetylase inhibitorsRNA targetsDNA targetsPatient-derived xenograftsPre-clinical modelsDNADeacetylase inhibitorsCell linesOncogeneInhibiting oncogenesDNA levelsAntitumor efficacyPrecision medicineChemotherapeutic drugs
2023
MODL-02. DEVELOPMENT OF RODENT GLIOBLASTOMA MODELS OF MGMT-MEDIATED TEMOZOLOMIDE RESISTANCE
Lee T, Bhatt D, Sundaram R, Saltzman W, Bindra R, Vasquez J. MODL-02. DEVELOPMENT OF RODENT GLIOBLASTOMA MODELS OF MGMT-MEDIATED TEMOZOLOMIDE RESISTANCE. Neuro-Oncology 2023, 25: v298-v298. PMCID: PMC10640218, DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad179.1153.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMouse glioma modelPotential therapeutic targetMGMT overexpressionGlioma modelTherapeutic targetTumor growthDaily x 5 daysMGMT expressionMGMT inhibitorsUseful preclinical toolTumor immune microenvironmentImportant prognostic biomarkerFischer 344 ratsHuman GBM cell linesDelays tumor growthHigh MGMT expressionMouse glioma cellsRodent glioblastoma modelsSyngeneic Fischer 344 ratsGBM cell linesAlkylator therapyO6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferaseChemoimmunotherapy combinationImmune microenvironmentSyngeneic modelUse of stereotactic radiosurgery in treatment of brain metastases from pediatric extracranial solid tumors
Xu S, Campbell A, Chiang V, Bindra R, Vasquez J, Pashankar F. Use of stereotactic radiosurgery in treatment of brain metastases from pediatric extracranial solid tumors. Pediatric Blood & Cancer 2023, 70: e30303. PMID: 36975152, DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30303.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRhabdomyosarcoma with isolated lung metastases: A report from the Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee of the Children's Oncology Group
Vasquez J, Luo L, Hiniker S, Rhee D, Dasgupta R, Chen S, Weigel B, Xue W, Venkatramani R, Arndt C. Rhabdomyosarcoma with isolated lung metastases: A report from the Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee of the Children's Oncology Group. Pediatric Blood & Cancer 2023, 70: e30293. PMID: 36916768, PMCID: PMC10424503, DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30293.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsEvent-free survivalMetastatic diseaseYears of ageOverall survivalOncology GroupLung metastasesExact testSoft Tissue Sarcoma CommitteeSuperior event-free survivalBetter survival outcomesKaplan-Meier methodChildren's Oncology GroupRisk stratification algorithmLog-rank testOutcome of childrenFisher's exact testN0 diseaseAggressive treatmentMetastatic rhabdomyosarcomaExtrapulmonary sitesMetastatic sitesExtremity tumorsSurvival outcomesEmbryonal histologyCOG protocols
2022
Antigen-independent tumor targeting by CBX-12 (alphalex™–exatecan) induces long-term antitumor immunity
Gayle S, Paradis T, Jones K, Vasquez J, Paralkar V. Antigen-independent tumor targeting by CBX-12 (alphalex™–exatecan) induces long-term antitumor immunity. Immunotherapy 2022, 14: 1467-1480. PMID: 36597724, DOI: 10.2217/imt-2022-0121.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsLong-term antitumor immunityAntitumor immunityImmune recognition of tumor cellsInducer of immunogenic cell deathRecognition of tumor cellsAnti-PD-1Immunogenic cell deathDelayed tumor growthExpression of MHC-1Immunotherapy combinationsPH-sensitive peptidesComplete responseCT26 modelPD-L1Tumor cellsTumor targetingTumor growthCured animalsClinical trialsELISA assayImmunotherapyMHC-1Cell deathFunctional assaysImmunityThe Role of PARP Inhibitors in Patients with Primary Malignant Central Nervous System Tumors
Gueble SE, Vasquez JC, Bindra RS. The Role of PARP Inhibitors in Patients with Primary Malignant Central Nervous System Tumors. Current Treatment Options In Oncology 2022, 23: 1566-1589. PMID: 36242713, DOI: 10.1007/s11864-022-01024-5.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsHomologous recombination deficiencyPrimary CNS tumorsCNS tumorsClinical trialsPARP inhibitorsPreclinical evidencePrimary malignant central nervous system tumorMalignant central nervous system tumorsCentral nervous system tumorsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsStandard treatment modalityInitial clinical trialsEarly phase trialsNervous system tumorsCentral nervous tumorsExtracranial cancerCheckpoint inhibitorsDevastating malignancyStandard therapyOngoing trialsCombination therapyTreatment optionsTreatment modalitiesSystem tumorsPhase trialsMetastatic and multiply relapsed SDH‐deficient GIST and paraganglioma displays clinical response to combined poly ADP‐ribose polymerase inhibition and temozolomide
Singh C, Bindra RS, Glazer PM, Vasquez JC, Pashankar F. Metastatic and multiply relapsed SDH‐deficient GIST and paraganglioma displays clinical response to combined poly ADP‐ribose polymerase inhibition and temozolomide. Pediatric Blood & Cancer 2022, 70: e30020. PMID: 36151992, DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30020.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
A Phase 1/2 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of a Single Dose of Autologous Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats Gene-edited CD34+ Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells (EDIT-301) in Subjects With Severe Sickle Cell Disease
HIC ID2000032707RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date08/01/2025Recruiting ParticipantsA Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Drug Levels, and Preliminary Efficacy of Relatlimab Plus Nivolumab in Pediatric and Young Adults With Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (RELATIVITY-069)
HIC ID2000032969RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date07/05/2028Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase 3 Study of Selumetinib (NSC# 748727) or Selumetinib in Combination With Vinblastine for Non-NF1, Non-TSC Patients With Recurrent or Progressive Low-Grade Gliomas (LGGs) Lacking BRAFV600E or IDH1 Mutations
HIC ID2000032978RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/30/2026Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase 3 Randomized Study of Selumetinib Versus Carboplatin/Vincristine in Newly Diagnosed or Previously Untreated Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) Associated Low-Grade Glioma (LGG)
HIC ID2000028691RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date05/01/2027Recruiting ParticipantsA Phase 3 Randomized Non-Inferiority Study of Carboplatin and Vincristine Versus Selumetinib (NSC# 748727) in Newly Diagnosed or Previously Untreated Low-Grade Glioma (LGG) Not Associated With BRAFV600E Mutations or Systemic Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)
HIC ID2000028692RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2026Recruiting Participants
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
activity St. Baldrick's
Peer Review Groups and Grant Study SectionsReviewerDetails05/01/2016 - Presenthonor Hyundai Hope on Wheels Scholar Hope Grant
National AwardHyundai Hope on WheelsDetails07/01/2022United Stateshonor American Cancer Society-Yale Cancer Center Pilot Grant
Yale School of Medicine AwardYale Cancer CenterDetails06/01/2022United Stateshonor Castle Connolly Top Doctor
National AwardCastle ConnollyDetails05/23/2022United Stateshonor K08 Career Development Award
National AwardNIH/NCIDetails08/25/2021United States
Clinical Care
Overview
Juan Vasquez, MD, a pediatric hematologist and oncologist, specializes in the treatment of childhood cancers, including malignant brain tumors, sarcomas, and cancers of the blood.
As an assistant professor of pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Vasquez is developing new immunotherapy approaches that aim to improve how the childhood immune system responds to tumor formation.
"It’s really important in the pediatric world because most of our patients don’t have much of an immune response," he says. "I’m trying to find ways in which we can exploit these pathways, particularly in brain tumors, and make these tumors more immune-responsive."
Dr. Vasquez also serves as the associate program director for the pediatrics hematology/oncology fellowship, playing a key role in training the next generation of specialists in this field.
He received his medical degree from Brown University, completed his pediatric residency at Brown Medical School/Rhode Island Hospital, and pursued a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at Yale School of Medicine.
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Learn More on Yale MedicinePediatric Cancer Immunotherapy
Learn More on Yale MedicineAcute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Learn More on Yale MedicineNeuroblastoma
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Yale Medicine News
Are You a Patient?
View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
View Doctor ProfileNews
News
- April 21, 2025
Yale Cancer Center Research Breakthroughs Unveiled at AACR Annual Meeting
- April 06, 2025Source: Newsweek (with Dr. Juan Vasquez of YCC)
Mom Notices Baby's Eyes 'Dancing'—2 Days Later Came a Devastating Diagnosis
- May 02, 2024
56 Yale Pediatricians Recognized by Connecticut Magazine's 2024 “Top Doctors” List
- April 12, 2024
Yale Cancer Center Faculty and Trainees Present at AACR Annual Meeting
Get In Touch
Contacts
Locations
Patient Care Locations
Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.