The primary goal of our multidisciplinary group of investigators is to find more effective treatments for patients with brain tumors. Our program is especially interested in the development of novel targeted molecular therapies. We currently have a large number of clinical trials of these agents in progress. Recently we also started trials of combinations of targeted molecular agents, which are likely to be more effective than treatment with single agents alone. As part of these trials, we are also genotyping the tumors and correlating them with response to treatment in the hope of identifying subgroups of patients who are particularly likely to benefit. In addition, we are conducting clinical trials evaluating novel inhibitors of angiogenesis, chemotherapy combinations, intratumoral agents delivered by convection, and tumor vaccines. A second focus of our program is the development of novel therapies for meningiomas, brain metastases, and leptomeningeal metastases; clinical studies evaluating targeted molecular agents and novel chemotherapeutic agents against these cancers are under way. We also collaborate with colleagues in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology and the Department of Cancer Biology in a preclinical program directed at identifying novel targets for therapy and evaluating new agents for clinical trials.In addition, our program has a strong interest in quality-of-life issues affecting patients with brain tumors, in particular, venous thromboembolic disease. We are currently studying the molecular basis of venous thromboembolism and evaluating the benefit of prophylactic anticoagulation. Furthermore, we are about to begin studies evaluating the role of prophylactic anticonvulsants in patients with malignant glioma who have not had seizures and medications such as methylphenidate for radiation-induced fatigue.