Researching ways to improve outcome of Neuroblastoma and other solid tumors using immune checkpoint inhibition.

Dr. Ozkaynak’s interest has been the treatment of neuroblastoma, a unique childhood cancer. He has been the Vice-Chair of a Children’s Oncology Group (COG) protocol which has established the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of advanced neuroblastoma. He then led the COG protocol for FDA Biologic License Application for immunotherapy in patients with advanced neuroblastoma, which has recently been successful. This has led to the establishment of a new standard in North America and around the globe for the treatment of advanced neuroblastoma. Dr. Ozkaynak continues his research activities in neuroblastoma and other childhood solid tumors by improving upon the above treatment protocol results while creating new ones including immune checkpoint inhibition.