Dr. Mehta joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin in November 1988. Over the last 20 years, he has established a national and international reputation as an expert in the treatment of patients with brain tumors and in research regarding the use of innovative technologies including radio surgery, fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, IMRT, and IGRT to improve therapeutic outcomes. His research program, characterized by a high degree of innovation, reflects an extremely promising approach using targeted agents in concert with radiotherapy to overcome therapeutic resistance, including but not limited to, conventional and non-conventional radio sensitizers. Dr. Mehta, as study chair, has been instrumental in designing, developing and running several major national and international Phase III randomized trials. As an illustrative example, one was a novel modulator of radiation effect, Motexafin Gadolinium, in lung cancer patients with brain metastases, showing considerable improvement in time to neurologic decline. Dr. Mehta also brought together a team of stellar investigators who, through a Program Project Grant from NIH, provided the first clinical implementation and utilization of tomotherapy. Dr. Mehta has also provided national leadership in this field through his Chairmanship of the Brain Tumor Committee of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed scientific articles and more than 300 abstracts. In September 2007, Dr. Mehta was selected as the first recipient of the Eric Wolfe Brain Tumor Professorship in Human Oncology.
LEARNER OUTCOMES:
Appreciate the role of various therapies, especially surgery radiotherapy and chemotherapy in managing these tumors.
Discuss the incidence, prevalence, mortality, morbidity,and clinical impact of the major malignant and benign adult primary CNS tumors.
Explain the major levels of evidence for therapeutic decision-making.
Recognize the substantial heterogeneity that exists within these tumor types and understand the prognostic and predictive variables allowing for appropriate selection of therapeutic choices, tailored for a specific patient.