Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Advanced Therapeutics for Brain Metastasis 2026

Memorial Sloan Kettering Advanced Therapeutics for Brain Metastasis 2026 provides an evidence-based educational review of brain metastases treatment, neuro-oncology, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, neurosurgical interventions, and emerging translational research.

Course Overview

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Advanced Therapeutics for Brain Metastasis 2026, officially titled Advanced Therapeutics for Brain Metastasis: Moving the Needle and Controversies at the Cutting Edge, is a specialized continuing medical education program examining the latest developments in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of metastatic brain tumors.

Organized by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), this virtual, didactic, and case-based conference was held on September 9, 2026.

The program brings together leading experts in medical oncology, radiation oncology, neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, neuroradiology, and translational cancer research to examine modern multimodal treatment strategies for patients with brain metastases.

Special emphasis is placed on emerging systemic therapies targeting HER2, EGFR, KRAS, CDK, BRAF, and ALK pathways, as well as CNS-specific outcomes in lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma.

Participants explore advances in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), cesium-131 brachytherapy, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), neurosurgical treatment, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and immunotherapy.

The program also addresses complex clinical controversies involving radiation necrosis, CNS-only disease progression, leptomeningeal metastases, treatment-related neurotoxicity, molecular imaging, and multidisciplinary treatment sequencing.

Course Details

• Course Title: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Advanced Therapeutics for Brain Metastasis 2026
• Official Program Title: 2026 Advanced Therapeutics for Brain Metastasis: Moving the Needle and Controversies at the Cutting Edge
• Organizer: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)
• Conference Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
• Original Conference Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)
• Location: Online / Virtual Conference
• Primary Specialty: Neuro-Oncology
• Related Specialties: Medical Oncology, Neurosurgery, Radiation Oncology, Neuroradiology, Hematology/Oncology
• Educational Format: Didactic Lectures, Expert Discussions, Case-Based Learning, and Multidisciplinary Tumor Board
• Original Live Conference CME: Maximum of 7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
• Language: English

The original conference’s CME accreditation does not automatically apply to separately purchased educational materials or recordings.

Target Audience

This educational program is designed for healthcare professionals involved in managing primary malignancies with central nervous system metastases, including:

• Medical Oncologists
• Neuro-Oncologists
• Neurosurgeons
• Radiation Oncologists
• Neuroradiologists
• Breast Cancer Specialists
• Thoracic Oncologists
• Melanoma Specialists
• Hematology and Oncology Physicians
• Translational Cancer Researchers
• Clinical Trial Investigators
• Pharmacologists and Pharmaceutical Researchers
• Oncology Residents and Fellows
• Advanced Practice Providers
• Oncology Nurses and Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Teams

Program Overview

1. Brain Metastases and Precision Oncology

Explore the evolving epidemiology, prognosis, and molecular biology of metastatic brain disease, emphasizing precision medicine and individualized treatment selection.

2. Advances in Systemic Cancer Therapies

Examine targeted therapy, antibody-drug conjugates, immunotherapy, and CNS-directed systemic treatment strategies in breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma.

3. Local Treatment Strategies

Review the roles of stereotactic radiosurgery, brachytherapy, laser interstitial thermal therapy, and surgical resection in contemporary brain metastases management.

4. Leptomeningeal Metastases

Investigate disease biology, advanced imaging, cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, liquid biopsy techniques, and emerging treatment approaches for leptomeningeal disease.

5. Clinical Controversies and Treatment Sequencing

Consider difficult clinical decisions involving brain-directed therapy versus systemic-first approaches, radiation timing, treatment-related toxicity, and management of recurrent intracranial disease.

6. Translational Research and Emerging Technologies

Explore brain metastasis biology, tumor microenvironment research, molecular imaging, artificial intelligence, radiomics, and new therapeutic targets.

7. Multidisciplinary Clinical Decision-Making

Analyze challenging brain metastasis cases through an expert multidisciplinary tumor board emphasizing coordinated patient care.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program, participants should be better able to:

1. Describe the current multimodal landscape of brain metastasis treatment.
2. Identify key clinical controversies in brain metastasis management.
3. Discuss barriers to improved treatments and potential research strategies (e.g. limited CNS activity of systemic anti-cancer treatments, side effects of local treatments, limited survival, and unclear endpoints).

Official Program Topics and Faculty

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Session 1 — Brain Metastases: From Population Health to Precision Medicine

Brain Metastases: From Population Health to Precision Medicine

Speaker: Matthias Preusser, MD

Includes patient perspectives on living with brain metastases, presented by Julia Maués, MA.

Patient Perspectives on Living with Brain Metastases

Speaker: Julia Maués, MA

Q&A and Panel Discussion

Session 2 — Disease-Specific Systemic Therapy Updates

Breast Cancer: Navigating the ADC Era — Efficacy, Toxicity, and Sequencing

Speaker: Carey K. Anders, MD

Melanoma Brain Metastases: Systemic Therapy Update

Speaker: Hussein Tawbi, MD, PhD

Thoracic Oncology Update

Speaker: Gregory Riely, MD

Q&A and Panel Discussion

Moderator: Priya Kumthekar, MD

Session 3 — Advances in Local Therapies

Modern SRS: Fractionation Strategies and Combination with Systemic Therapy

Speaker: Michelle Kim, MD

Cs-131 Brachytherapy for Recurrent Brain Metastases

Speakers:

• Nelson Moss, MD
• Brandon Imber, MD

Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy: Expanding Indications and Long-term Outcomes

Speaker: Veronica Chiang, MD

Surgical Decision-Making in the Age of Effective Systemic Therapy

Speaker: Gelareh Zadeh, MD, PhD

Q&A and Panel Discussion

Session 4 — Leptomeningeal Disease

Biology, Imaging, and Pathophysiology of Leptomeningeal Disease

Speaker: Michael Weller, MD

CSF Liquid Biopsy and Biomarkers for Leptomeningeal Disease

Speaker: Chetan Bettegowda, MD, PhD

Q&A and Panel Discussion

Moderator: Jessica Wilcox, MD

Session 5 — Key Controversies in Brain Metastases Management

Upfront Brain-Directed Therapy vs Systemic-First Approaches

Speakers:

• Luke R. G. Pike, MD, DPhil — Brain-Directed Approach
• Manmeet Singh Ahluwalia, MD — Systemic-First Approach

Breast Cancer Controversies in the ADC Era

Speaker: Paolo Tarantino, MD

Where Radiation Fits in the Era of Potent Systemic Therapy

Speaker: Ayal Aizer, MD

Q&A and Panel Discussion

Session 6 — Treatment-Related CNS Toxicity and Advanced Imaging

ADC-Associated CNS Toxicity: Mechanism, Recognition, and Management

Speaker: Yao Yu, MD

Immunotherapy-Related CNS Toxicity: Real-World Data and Management

Speaker: Isabella C. Glitza Oliva, MD, PhD, MS

Advanced Imaging: Amino Acid PET, AI, and Radiomics for Distinguishing Progression from Treatment Effect

Speaker: Norbert Galldiks, MD

Q&A and Panel Discussion

Moderator: Joshua A. Budhu, MD, MPH

Session 7 — Scientific Frontiers and Translational Research

Microenvironment and Metastatic Niche: New Therapeutic Targets

Speaker: Josh Neman, PhD

Brain Metastasis Microenvironment

Speaker: Nathalie Agar, PhD

FDA Perspectives on Brain Metastasis Clinical Trials: Endpoints, Design, and Regulatory Considerations

Speaker: Tatiana Prowell, MD

Q&A and Panel Discussion

Moderator: Minesh Mehta, MD

Session 8 — Multidisciplinary Tumor Board

Multidisciplinary Tumor Board

Participating Faculty:

• Andrew D. Seidman, MD
• Brandon Imber, MD
• Gregory Riely, MD
• Robert J. Young, MD

The tumor board emphasizes complex clinical scenarios, treatment sequencing, and coordinated decision-making across medical oncology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and neuroradiology.

Major Topics Covered

• Brain Metastases Treatment 2026
• Advanced Neuro-Oncology
• CNS Metastases and Precision Medicine
• HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Brain Metastases
• Lung Cancer Brain Metastases
• Melanoma Brain Metastases
• Molecularly Targeted Cancer Therapies
• Antibody-Drug Conjugates
• Immunotherapy and CNS Toxicity
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery
• Cesium-131 Brachytherapy
• Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy
• Neurosurgical Management of Brain Metastases
• Leptomeningeal Metastases
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Liquid Biopsy
• Radiation Necrosis Versus Tumor Progression
• Amino Acid PET Imaging
• Artificial Intelligence and Radiomics
• Brain Tumor Microenvironment
• Translational Oncology Research
• Clinical Trial Design and Endpoints
• Multidisciplinary Brain Metastasis Care

Course Director

Nelson Moss, MD

Co-Director, Multidisciplinary Brain Metastasis Program

Associate Attending, Department of Neurosurgery

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Featured Faculty

• Nathalie Agar, PhD
• Manmeet Singh Ahluwalia, MD
• Ayal Aizer, MD, MHS
• Carey K. Anders, MD
• Chetan Bettegowda, MD, PhD
• Veronica Chiang, MD
• Norbert Galldiks, MD
• Michelle M. Kim, MD
• Priya U. Kumthekar, MD
• Julia Maués, MA
• Minesh Mehta, MD
• Josh Neman-Ebrahim, PhD
• Isabella C. Glitza Oliva, MD, PhD, MS
• Matthias Preusser, MD
• Tatiana Michelle Prowell, MD
• Paolo Tarantino, MD
• Hussein A. Tawbi, MD, PhD
• Michael Weller, MD
• Gelareh Zadeh, MD, PhD

Additional MSK Faculty

• Joshua A. Budhu, MD, MS, MPH
• Brandon Imber, MD, MA
• Luke R. G. Pike, MD, DPhil
• Gregory J. Riely, MD, PhD
• Andrew D. Seidman, MD
• Viviane Tabar, MD
• Jessica A. Wilcox, MD
• Robert J. Young, MD
• Yao Yu, MD

Why This Course Is Relevant

Brain metastases remain an important challenge in modern oncology, requiring coordinated treatment involving systemic therapies, radiation techniques, neurosurgical procedures, advanced imaging, and supportive care.

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Advanced Therapeutics for Brain Metastasis 2026 program provides a focused review of emerging scientific evidence and clinically relevant decision-making across these specialties.

Key Educational Benefits

• Review advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapy for CNS metastatic disease.
• Understand modern stereotactic radiosurgery and brachytherapy applications.
• Examine clinical considerations surrounding laser interstitial thermal therapy and neurosurgery.
• Explore diagnosis and treatment challenges in leptomeningeal metastases.
• Evaluate emerging biomarkers, liquid biopsy, PET imaging, and radiomics.
• Understand treatment sequencing controversies and CNS-specific adverse effects.
• Explore translational research and evolving brain metastasis clinical trial strategies.
• Strengthen multidisciplinary clinical decision-making through expert case discussions.

This educational program is particularly valuable for oncologists, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, and researchers seeking a comprehensive update on advanced treatment strategies for brain metastases.

Short Description

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Advanced Therapeutics for Brain Metastasis 2026 explores the latest clinical evidence, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, neurosurgical interventions, and translational research in metastatic brain tumors.

Based on the September 9, 2026 virtual MSK neuro-oncology conference.

Key Topics:

• Brain Metastases and Precision Oncology
• HER2, EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, ALK and Targeted Therapies
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Cs-131 Brachytherapy
• Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy and Neurosurgery
• Leptomeningeal Disease and CSF Liquid Biopsy
• CNS Toxicity, Advanced Imaging, AI and Radiomics
• Multidisciplinary Brain Metastasis Tumor Board

Ideal for: Medical Oncologists, Neuro-Oncologists, Neurosurgeons, Radiation Oncologists, Neuroradiologists, and Cancer Researchers.

+ Topics:

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Time	Topic	Speaker(s)
8:10 – 8:30 am	Brain Metastases: From Population Health to Precision Medicine	Matthias Preusser, MD
8:30 – 8:35 am	Patient Perspectives on Living with Brain Metastases	Julia Maues, MA
8:35 – 8:40 am	Q&A and Panel Discussion
8:40 – 8:55 am	Breast Cancer: Navigating the ADC Era — Efficacy, Toxicity, and Sequencing	Carey K. Anders, MD
8:55 – 9:10 am	Melanoma Brain Metastases: Systemic Therapy Update	Hussein Tawbi, MD, PhD
9:10 – 9:25 am	Thoracic Oncology Update	Gregory Riely, MD
9:25 – 9:35 am	Q&A and Panel Discussion	Priya Kumthekar, MD (Moderator)
9:45 – 10:00 am	Modern SRS: Fractionation Strategies and Combination with Systemic Therapy	Michelle Kim, MD
10:00 – 10:15 am	Cs-131 Brachytherapy for Recurrent Brain Metastases	Nelson Moss, MD; Brandon Imber, MD
10:15 – 10:30 am	Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy: Expanding Indications and Long-term Outcomes	Veronica Chiang, MD
10:30 – 10:45 am	Surgical Decision-Making in the Age of Effective Systemic Therapy	Gelareh Zadeh, MD, PhD
10:45 – 10:55 am	Q&A and Panel Discussion
11:00 – 11:20 am	Biology, Imaging, and Pathophysiology of Leptomeningeal Disease	Michael Weller, MD
11:20 – 11:40 am	CSF Liquid Biopsy and Biomarkers for Leptomeningeal Disease	Chetan B Bettegowda, MD, PhD
11:40 – 11:50 am	Q&A and Panel Discussion	Jessica Wilcox, MD (Moderator)
12:00 – 12:20 pm	Upfront Brain-Directed Therapy vs Systemic-First Approaches	Brain-Directed: Luke R. G. Pike, MD, DPhil   Systemic-First: Manmeet Singh Ahluwalia, MD
12:20 – 12:35 pm	ADC-Associated CNS Toxicity: Mechanism, Recognition, and Management	Yao Yu, MD
12:35 – 12:50 pm	Where Radiation Fits in the Era of Potent Systemic Therapy	Ayal Aizer, MD
12:50 – 1:00 pm	Q&A and Panel Discussion
1:50 – 2:05 pm	Breast Cancer Controversies in the ADC Era	Paolo Tarantino, MD
2:05 – 2:20 pm	Immunotherapy-Related CNS Toxicity: Real-World Data and Management	Isabella C Glitza Oliva, MD, PhD, MS
2:20 – 2:35 pm	Advanced Imaging: Amino Acid PET, AI, and Radiomics for Distinguishing Progression from Treatment Effect	Norbert Galldiks, MD
2:35 – 2:45 pm	Q&A and Panel Discussion	Joshua A Budhu, MD, MPH (Moderator)
2:55 – 3:15 pm	Microenvironment and Metastatic Niche: New Therapeutic Targets	Josh Neman, PhD
3:15 – 3:30 pm	Brain Metastasis Microenvironment	Nathalie Agar, PhD
3:30 – 3:50 pm	FDA Perspectives on Brain Metastasis Clinical Trials: Endpoints, Design, and Regulatory Considerations	Tatiana Prowell, MD
3:50 – 4:05 pm	Q&A and Panel Discussion	Minesh Mehta, MD (Moderator)
4:05 – 5:00 pm	Multidisciplinary Tumor Board	Andrew D Seidman, MD; Brandon Imber, MD; Gregory Riely, MD; Robert Young, MD