SusanLernerCohnMD

Pediatric Hematology & Oncology • Chicago, IL

Pediatric Solid Tumor Oncology

Professor of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Medicine

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Office
5841 S Maryland Ave
Chicago, IL 60637
Phone+1 888-824-0200

Summary

I am a board certified pediatric oncologist. I have devoted my career to caring for children with neuroblastoma and conducting clinical and translational research focused on understanding the biologic underpinnings of high-risk neuroblastoma to identify new therapeutic targets. The long-term goal is to develop more effective treatment based on tumor biology and host genetics. Through my leadership positions in the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), I have worked with my colleagues to translate laboratory findings into clinical trials for children with neuroblastoma. I have also led efforts to develop risk classification algorithms in the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) Task Force and the COG. In addition, I have worked closely with Dr. Andrew Pearson from the UK and Dr. Samuel Volchenboum from the University of Chicago to create the INRG Data Commons. This Data Commons currently contains data on >25,000 patients with neuroblastoma from around the world that are available to the neuroblastoma community for research studies. We are also working closely with Dr. Volchenboum to expand Pediatric Cancer Data Commons (PCDC) and have integrated the neuroblastoma data into this platform.

Education & Training

McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern UniversityFellowship, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, 1984 - 1987
Michael Reese Hospital and Medical CenterResidency, Pediatrics, 1980 - 1984
University of Illinois College of MedicineClass of 1980
Northwestern UniversityB.A., 1972 - 1976

Certifications & Licensure

IL State Medical License 1981 - 2026
American Board of Pediatrics Pediatrics
American Board of Pediatrics Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Top Cancer Doctor Newsweek and Castle Connolly, 2015-2024
Top Doctor in the Chicago Metro Area Castle Connolly, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018-2024
Top Doctor in the Chicago Metro Area Chicago Magazine, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018-2024
Lifetime Achievement Award Advances in Neuroblastoma Research, 2023
AACR-Joseph H. Burchenal Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Cancer Research AACR, 2019
The Samuel Spector Award for Mentorship Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, 2018
Pediatric Oncology Award American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), 2016
Fellow American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO), 2016
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Pediatric Oncology Award ASCO, 2016
Pediatrics Faculty Physician Peer Role Model Nominee University of Chicago, 2013
Pritzker Scholar University of Chicago, 2012
Chicago Innovator Award Association for Women in Science (AWIS), 2012
Joseph P. Brenneman Award The Chicago Pediatric Society, 2009
SIOP Award in the Discipline of Basic Science Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Inc., 2004
Nominated for the best clinical professor award Northwestern University Medical School, 1999
Super Doctor SuperDoctors.com
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Clinical Trials

N99-02: Melphalan and Buthionine Sulfoximine Start of enrollment: 2001 Aug 01
Completed
Phase 1
Isotretinoin With or Without Dinutuximab, Aldesleukin, and Sargramostim Following Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Patients With Neuroblastoma Start of enrollment: 2001 Oct 18
Active, not recruiting
Phase 3
Genetic Analysis in Identifying Late-Occurring Complications in Childhood Cancer Survivors Start of enrollment: 2004 Mar 25
Recruiting
N2004-04: Fenretinide LXS in Treating Patients With Recurrent, Refractory, or Persistent Neuroblastoma Start of enrollment: 2005 Dec 01
Completed
Phase 1
N2004-03: Intravenous Fenretinide in Treating Young Patients With Recurrent or Resistant Neuroblastoma Start of enrollment: 2006 Dec 01
Completed
Phase 1
Neuropsychological and Behavioral Testing in Younger Patients With Cancer Start of enrollment: 2009 Feb 27
Recruiting
N2007-02:Bevacizumab,Cyclophosphamide,& Zoledronic Acid in Patients W/ Recurrent or Refractory High-Risk Neuroblastoma Start of enrollment: 2009 Dec 01
Completed
Phase 1
Collecting and Storing Malignant, Borderline Malignant Neoplasms, and Related Samples From Young Patients With Cancer Start of enrollment: 2003 Oct 13
Completed
Study of Kidney Tumors in Younger Patients Start of enrollment: 2006 Feb 27
Recruiting
Collecting and Storing Biological Samples From Patients With Ewing Sarcoma Start of enrollment: 2008 Feb 04
Completed
Biomarkers in Tumor Tissue Samples From Patients With Newly Diagnosed Neuroblastoma or Ganglioneuroblastoma Start of enrollment: 2000 Nov 06
Recruiting
Collecting and Storing Tissue, Blood, and Bone Marrow Samples From Patients With Rhabdomyosarcoma or Other Soft Tissue Sarcoma Start of enrollment: 1999 Mar 15
Completed
Risk-Based Therapy in Treating Younger Patients With Newly Diagnosed Liver Cancer Start of enrollment: 2009 Sep 14
Active, not recruiting
Phase 3
N2007-03: Vorinostat and 131-I MIBG in Treating Patients With Resistant or Relapsed Neuroblastoma Start of enrollment: 2010 Mar 01
Completed
Phase 1
Maintenance Chemotherapy or Observation Following Induction Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ependymoma Start of enrollment: 2010 May 07
Active, not recruiting
Phase 3
Risk-Based Classification System of Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Start of enrollment: 2010 Aug 09
Completed
Induction Therapy Including 131 I-MIBG and Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed High-Risk Neuroblastoma Undergoing Stem Cell Transplant, Radiation Therapy, and Maintenance Therapy With Isotretinoin Start of enrollment: 2010 Oct 04
Active, not recruiting
Phase 1
Risk-Adapted Chemotherapy in Treating Younger Patients With Newly Diagnosed Standard-Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or Localized B-Lineage Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Start of enrollment: 2010 Aug 09
Active, not recruiting
Phase 3
Temozolomide and Irinotecan Hydrochloride With or Without Bevacizumab in Treating Young Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Medulloblastoma or CNS Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors Start of enrollment: 2010 Nov 22
Completed
Phase 2
A Phase III Randomized Trial for Newly Diagnosed High Risk B-precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Testing Clofarabine (IND# 73789, NSC# 606869) in the Very High Risk Stratum Start of enrollment: 2012 Feb 01
Lenalidomide and Dinutuximab With or Without Isotretinoin in Treating Younger Patients With Refractory or Recurrent Neuroblastoma Start of enrollment: 2013 Feb 04
Active, not recruiting
Phase 1
Irinotecan Hydrochloride and Temozolomide With Temsirolimus or Dinutuximab in Treating Younger Patients With Refractory or Relapsed Neuroblastoma Start of enrollment: 2013 Feb 12
Completed
Phase 2
N2012-01: Phase 1 Study of Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and Celecoxib With Cyclophosphamide/Topotecan Start of enrollment: 2014 Jan 16
Active, not recruiting
Phase 1
131I-MIBG Alone VS. 131I-MIBG With Vincristine and Irinotecan VS131I-MIBG With Vorinostat Start of enrollment: 2014 Jul 01
Completed
Phase 2
Risk-Based Therapy in Treating Younger Patients With Newly Diagnosed Liver Cancer Start of enrollment: 2009 Sep 01
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

1 citations
Outcomes of patients with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma presenting with motor deficits relating to intraspinal tumor extension: A report from the Children's Oncology...
Julie Voeller, Howard M Katzenstein, Arlene Naranjo, Sheena C Tenney, Lulu Chen
Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2025-01-01
Evaluation of Image-Defined Risk Factor (IDRF) Assessment in Patients With Intermediate-risk Neuroblastoma: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group Study ANBL0531.
Erin G Brown, E Stanton Adkins, Peter Mattei, Fredric A Hoffer, Sandra L Wootton-Gorges
Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2024-09-06
Long-term follow-up of patients with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma treated with response- and biology-based therapy: A report from the Children's Oncology Group stud...
Erin K Barr, Arlene Naranjo, Clare J Twist, Sheena C Tenney, Mary Lou Schmidt
Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2024-08-01

Journal Articles

Two Cases of Localized Neuroblastoma with Multiple Segmental Chromosomal Alterations and Metastatic Progression
Morales La Madrid A, Nall MB, Ouyang K, Minor A, Raca G, Kent P, Miller I, Schleiermacher G, Janoueix-Lerosey I, and Cohn SL, Ped Blood Cancer, 1/1/2013
Progression-Free Survival of Two Cases of High-risk Neuroblastoma with Refractory/Relapsed Disease Following Surgery Alone
Sokol E, Haut PR, Gosiengfiao Y, Feinstein K, Pytel P, and Cohn SL, Ped Blood Cancer, 1/1/2013
Semiquantitative MIBG scoring as a prognostic indicator in patients with stage 4 neuroblastoma A Children's Oncology Group (COG) Study
Yanik GA, Parisi MT, Shulkin BL, Naranjo A, Kreissman SG, London WB, Villablanca J, Maris J, Cohn SL, McGrady P, Matthay KK, J Nucl Med, 1/1/2013
A Pilot Study of Tandem High Dose Chemotherapy with Stem Cell Rescue as Consolidation for High Risk Neuroblastoma: Children's Oncology Group study ANBL00P1
Seif AE, Naranjo A, , Baker DL, Bunin NJ, Kletzel M, Kretschmar CS, Maris JM, McGrady PW, von Allmen D, Cohn SL, London WB, Park JR, Diller LR, Grupp SA, Bone Marrow Transplant, 1/1/2013
Neuroblastoma - Undifferentiated Subtype, Prognostic Significance of Prominent Nucleolar Formation and Expression of MYC and MYCN Protein: A Report from the Children's...
Wang LL, Suganunma R, Ikegaki N, Tang X, Naranjo A, McGrady P, London WB, Hogarty MB, Gastier-Foster J, Look AT, Park JR, Maris JM, Cohn SL, Seeger RC, and Shimada H, Cancer, 1/1/2013
A Randomized Trial of Purged versus Non-Purged Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant for High-Risk Neuroblastoma
Kreissman SG, Seeger RC, Matthay KK, London WB, Sposto R, Grupp SA, Haas-Kogan DA, LaQuaglia MP, Yu AL, Diller L, Buxton A, Park JR, Cohn SL, Maris JM, Reynolds CP, an..., Lancet Oncol, 1/1/2013
Children's Oncology Group's 2013 blueprint for research: neuroblastoma
Park JR, Bagatell R, London WB, Maris JM, Cohn SL, Mattay KM, Hogarty M; COG Neuroblastoma Committee, Pediatr Blood Cancer, 1/1/2013
Individualized Therapies for Pediatric Cancer
Bates S, Thiele C, Cohn S, Clinical Cancer Research FOCUS, 5/18/2012
Opsoclonusmyoclonus and anti-Hu positive limbic encephalitis in a patient with neuroblastoma
Morales LaMadrid A, Rubin CM, Kohrman M, Pytel P, and Cohn SL, Pediatr Blood Cancer, 1/1/2012
Sorafenib Inhibits Neuroblastoma Cell Proliferation and Signaling, Blocks Angiogenesis, and Impairs Tumor Growth
Kakodkar NC, Peddinti RR, Tian Y, Guerrero LJ, Chlenski A, Yang Q, Salwen HR, Maitland M, and Cohn SL, Ped Blood Cancer, 1/1/2012
Outcome Following Surgery Alone or with Restricted Use of Chemotherapy for Patients with Low-Risk Neuroblastoma: Results of Children's Oncology Group Study P9641
Strother DR, London WB, Schmidt ML, Brodeur G et al for the Children's Oncology Group, J Clin Oncol, 1/1/2012
Truncated DNMT3B isoform DNMT3B7 suppresses growth, induces differentiation, and alters DNA methylation in human neuroblastoma
Ostler KR, Yang Q, Looney TJ, et al, Cancer Res, 1/1/2012
Segmental chromosomal alterations have prognostic impact in neuroblastoma: a report from the INRG project
Schleiermacher G, Mosseri V, London WB, Maris JM, Brodeur GM et al, Br J Cancer, 1/1/2012
A Prospective Study of Expectant Observation as Primary Therapy for Neuroblastoma in Young Infants, a Children's Oncology Group Study
Nuchtern JG, London WB, Barnewolt CE,Naranjo A, McGrady, Geiger JD, Cohn SL, Shamberger RC, Ann Surg, 1/1/2012
Locoregional MYCN-amplified Neuroblastoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Morales La Madrid A, Volchenboum S, Gastier-Foster JM, Pyatt R, Liu D, Pytel P, Lavarino C, Rodriguez E, and Cohn SL, Ped Blood Cancer, 1/1/2012
New Aspects of Neuroblastoma Treatment: ASPHO 2011 Symposium Review
Zage PE, Louis CU, and Cohn SL, Pediatr Blood Cancer, 1/1/2012
Genetically InFormed Therapies- a GIFT for children with cancer
Thiele CJ and Cohn SL, Clin Cancer Res, 1/1/2012
Targeting ALK: a promising strategy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and neuroblastoma
Morales La Madrid A, Campbell N, Smith S, Cohn SL, and Salgia R, Target Oncol, 1/1/2012
Phase II Study of Irinotecan + Temozolomide in Children with Relapsed or Refractory Neuroblastoma: A Children's Oncology Group Study
Bagatell R, London WB, Wagner LM, Voss S, Reynolds CP, Stewart C, Gelfand M, Maris JM, Kretschmar C, Cohn SL, J Clin Oncol, 1/1/2011
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Risk and Survival in Children with Neuroblastoma: A Children's Oncology Group (COG) Study
Henderson TO, Bhatia S, Pinto N, London WB, McGrady P, Crotty C, Sun C-L, and Cohn SL, J Clin Oncol, 1/1/2011
Changes over three decades in the prognostic influence of age in patients with neuroblastoma: A report from the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Project
Moroz V, Machin D, Faldum A, Hero B, Iehara T, Mosseri V, Ladenstein R, De Bernardi B, Rubie H, Berthold F, Matthay KK, Monclair T, Ambros PF, Pearson ADJ, Cohn SL, an..., Eur J Cancer, 1/1/2011
Radiological Guidelines for Staging of Neuroblastic Tumors: A consensus Report from the Imaging Committee of the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Project
Brisse H, McCarville B, Granata C, Kanegawa K, Krug B, Wooton-Gorges S, Giamarile F, Levington V, Shulkin B, Kaneko M, Monclari T, Sarnacki S, Cohn SL, Hero B, Matthay..., Radiology, 1/1/2011
Clinical and biologic features predictive of survival after relapse of neuroblastoma: a report from the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) Project
London WB, Castel V, Monclair T, Ambros PF, Pearson ADJ, Cohn SL, Berthold F, Nakagawara A, Ladenstein RL, Iehara T, and Matthay KK, J Clin Oncol, 1/1/2011
ABCC Multidrug Transporters in Childhood Neuroblastoma: Clinical and Biological Effects Independent of Cytotoxic Drug Efflux
Henderson MJ, Haber M, Porro A, Munoz MA, Iraci N, Xue, C, Murray J et al, J Natl Cancer Res, 1/1/2011
A Pilot Induction Regimen Incorporating Pharmacokinetically guided Topotecan for Treatment of Newly Diagnosed High Risk Neuroblastoma: A Children's Oncology Group Study
Park JR, Scott J, Stewart CF, London WB, Naranjo A, Santana V, Shaw PJ, Cohn SL, Matthay KK, J Clin Oncol, 1/1/2011
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Grant Support

Targeting DNA Double Strand Break (DSB) Repair Pathways in NeuroblastomaHyundai Hope on Wheels2020–2023
5-hydroxymethylcytosine-based Biomarkers for Children with NeuroblastomaThe Super Jake Foundation2019–2023
Pediatric Cancer Data CommonsSt. Baldrick’s Foundation2019–2022
ITM 2.0: Advancing Translational Science in Metropolitan ChicagoNIH/NCATS2017–2022
Genome-Wide 5hmC Profiling of Neuroblastoma Tumors and Patient Cell Free DNAAlex's Lemonade Stand Foundation2017–2019
MELK, A New Therapeutic Target for NeuroblastomaHyundai Hope on Wheels2017–2019
Children's Oncology GroupNCI2012–2019
The Role Of Sparc In Neuroblastoma AngiogenesisNational Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke2007
The Role Of Sparc In Neuroblastoma AngiogenesisNational Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke2004–2006
Pediatric Oncology GroupNational Cancer Institute1999–2002
Elav-Like Proteins In NeuroblastomaNational Cancer Institute1997–2000
Molecular Mechanisms Of Differentiation In NeuroblastomaNational Cancer Institute1990–1994