Santhosh A Upadhyaya, MBBS

 Santhosh Ananthram Upadhyaya, MBBS
Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Medical Director
C&W Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Pediatric Cancer Infusion Center
Medical School
[email protected]
Available to mentor
Santhosh A Upadhyaya, MBBS
Santhosh Ananthram Upadhyaya, MBBS
Clinical Associate Professor
  • About
  • Qualifications
  • Research Overview
  • Recent Publications

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    • About

    My research focuses on advancing the clinical care of children with brain tumors, with a special interest in patients with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid
    tumors (AT/RT) and ependymoma.

    Qualifications
    • Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Fellow
      St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, United States
      2015 - 2016
      Clinical Fellowship
    • Pediatric Hematology Oncology Fellow
      C. S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, United States
      2012 - 2015
      Clinical Fellowship
    • Pediatric Resident
      St. John Hospital & Medical Center, Detroit, United States
      2009 - 2012
      Residency
    • Pediatric Resident
      Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India
      2001 - 2004
      Residency
    • MBBS
      Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India
      1994 - 2000

    Research Overview

    My current and ongoing research is focused on translational studies and clinical trials for children with ependymoma and ATRT. Young children with brain tumors continue to have poor outcomes compared to those with other cancers in this age group. However, a better understanding of the biological and molecular aspects of pediatric brain tumors more recently are transforming the care of these children. I have analyzed the outcomes of treatment for ATRT and ependymoma in children, with special emphasis on combining traditional modes of therapy, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, with molecularly targeted therapy. By identifying clinical and molecular risk factors associated with poor outcomes in these children, we can tailor therapy to improve outcomes in those at highest risk of treatment failures.

    Recent Publications

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    • Journal Article
      Pediatric Spinal Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor: Recent Advances in Biology and Management Options
      Siada R, Banerjee K, Malhotra P, Ibrahim M, Moreira DC, Prensner JR, Upadhyaya SA. Cancers, 2026 Apr 8; 18 (7): 1171 DOI:10.3390/cancers18071171
    • Journal Article
      FGFR1:TACC1-Fused Pilocytic Astrocytoma in a Child With Muenke Syndrome: A Case Report.
      Malhotra V, Lieberman AP, Prensner JR, Quinonez SC, Muraszko K, Marupudi NI, Upadhyaya SA. Pediatr Blood Cancer, 2026 Mar 15; e70215 DOI:10.1002/1545-5017.70215
      PMID: 41834352
    • Journal Article
      M-PACT leverages cell-free DNA methylomes to achieve robust classification of pediatric brain tumors
      Smith KS, Fischer TT, Han K, Kostecka A, Lin H, Senfter D, Soliman T, Stepien N, Volz S, Schwarz N, Wedig T, Madlener S, Haberler C, Dhanda SK, Upadhyaya SA, Blackburn PR, Schmook MT, de Bont J, Haapasalo H, Dargvainiene J, Leypoldt F, Pfister SM, Hulleman E, Orr BA, Gajjar A, Robinson GW, Haapasalo J, Nordfors K, Gojo J, Pajtler KW, Maass KK, Northcott PA. Nature Cancer, 2026 Jan 1; DOI:10.1038/s43018-026-01115-4
      PMID: 41703322
    • Journal Article
      Targeting the p53 Pathway to Treat Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors
      Refaat A, Cho HP, Williams J, Stripay J, Blankenship K, Mercer KS, Devries R, Connelly M, Ganguly D, Robinson S, Savage E, Twarog NR, Attery A, Laha D, Yu K, Poudel S, Dhanda SK, Stewart CF, Freeman BB, Roberts CWM, Tinkle C, Stewart EA, Upadhyaya SA, Shelat AA, Roussel MF. Neuro-Oncology Pediatrics, 2025 Dec 16; DOI:10.1093/neuped/wuaf018
    • Journal Article
      Dabrafenib in pediatric patients with BRAF V600 mutation–positive high-grade glioma: Results from a phase 1/2a single-arm study
      Geoerger B, Moreno L, Bouffet E, Upadhyaya SA, André N, Aerts I, Plant-Fox AS, Roughton M, Russo M, Hargrave D. Neuro Oncology Practice, 2025 Dec 1; 12 (6): 1099 - 1111. DOI:10.1093/nop/npaf061
    • Journal Article
      CTP-03. A Phase 2 study of alisertib in combination therapy for newly diagnosed Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor (AT/RT)- Results from SJATRT strata B and C
      Bagchi A, Upadhyaya SA, Dhanda S, Billups C, Baxter P, Bendel A, Aguillera D, Kilburn L, Crawford J, Partap S, Hanzlik E, Tran Q, Breuer A, Qi W, Lu C, Singh A, Richardson M, Soans E, Klimo P, Zhou X, Thomas AO, Orr B, Merchant T, Robinson GW, Gajjar A. Neuro-Oncology, 2025 Nov 12; 27 (Supplement_5): v145 - v146. DOI:10.1093/neuonc/noaf201.0575
      PMID: PMC12600722
    • Proceeding / Abstract / Poster
      PATH-02. Molecular characterization of brain tumors from stereotactic needle biopsy surgical waste
      Wadden J, Adam T, Lau B, Cartaxo R, Wink K, Niculcea M, Kong S, John V, Becker N, Tripathy A, Serhan H, Merrill N, Merajver S, Upadhyaya S, Heth J, Muraszko K, Garton H, Marupudi N, Magge S, Kumar-Sinha C, Nazarian J, Al-Holou W, Venneti S, Koschmann C. Neuro-Oncology Pediatrics, 2026 Mar 14; 1 (Supplement_1): DOI:10.1093/neuped/wuaf001.281
    • Proceeding / Abstract / Poster
      Standardized Integration of Palliative Care Services in a Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Clinic
      Spruit J, Franson A, Keefer T, Calvert R, Koschmann C, Louttit E, Robertson P, Upadhyaya S. 2025 Feb 5;