Kenneth R. Peak Brain & Pituitary Treatment Center

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U.S. PATIENTS:713.441.8500

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Kenneth R. Peak Brain & Pituitary Treatment Center
Kenneth R. Peak Center for Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment and Research provides world-class personalized neurosurgical and oncological treatments for patients with brain, spine and pituitary tumors in a compassionate environment geared toward scientific advances, education and research.

Novel Gene Therapy Treatment

Stratton Muhmel was diagnosed with Glioblastoma – an aggressive brain tumor with a median survival timeline of 15 months. Refusing to give up, he came to Houston Methodist after learning about an experimental new treatment that may extend survival timelines for Glioblastoma patients.
 

Surviving and Thriving After Gene Therapy

Stratton Muhmel Patient Story

Now, 1 year and 4 months later, Stratton is a 2020 graduate from Texas A&M Galveston. 

 

Learn more about our gene therapy clinical trial at the Peak Center

Treating Glioblastoma With Innovative Gene Therapy

Ed McCumber’s glioblastoma was so malignant and aggressive, it recurred two times. Left with no options, he turned to neurosurgeon Dr. David Baskin, MD, for help. After removing the tumor, Baskin used a specialized form of gene therapy, invented at Houston Methodist, to attack the remaining cancer cells. 

First Patient In The World Receives Gene Therapy Re-Treatment

Today, over 2 years and 3 months later, Ed is the first patient in the world to be re-treated with the experimental gene therapy and he continues to defy the odds. 

Gene Therapy Results In The Longest Living Survivor At Houston Methodist

Matt Futer was given less than 3 months to live when he was initially diagnosed with glioblastoma. After successful treatment of the experimental gene therapy, Matt has been cancer free for over 7 years. 

David Baskin, MD Discusses The Benefits Offered At The Peak Center

Learn how the Kenneth R. Peak Brain & Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center combines cutting-edge surgical technology, state-of-the-art research protocols and highly skilled physicians and nurses to provide personalized and compassionate care for patients. 

The Peak Center offers cutting-edge scientific analyses of each patient’s tumor, allowing our physicians to design personalized treatment plans based on genetic information, detailed screening of the tumor and other advanced scientific techniques. Treatment options utilize state-of-the-art techniques, including minimally invasive surgery, focused stereotactic radiosurgery and novel technology.
 
The Center is unique in many ways. Basic science researchers in nanotechnology, gene therapy, biochemistry, neurochemistry, stem cell technology and genetics work side-by-side with world class clinicians, including neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, neurologists, radiation oncologists and rehabilitation specialists to provide personalized care for each and every patient. The Center will provide highly personalized care to patients with tumors in ways not previously available anywhere in the world.
 
The specialists at the Houston Methodist Peak Brain & Pituitary Tumor Center have access to advanced technology to detect, diagnose and treat pituitary adenomas (non-cancerous), pituitary carcinomas (cancerous), and other types of tumors that grow in and around the pituitary gland. Peak Center physicians work collaboratively and seamlessly with specialists from other areas of medicine so patients benefit from the full breadth of Houston Methodist Hospital excellence.
 
Most pituitary tumors can be treated. Virtually all tumors can be removed surgically or reduced in size with other means, and prognosis for patients is excellent.
 
Specialized Programs
The Center houses four programs aimed at providing tumor-specific clinical care and research while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration (multiple medical and surgical specialties).

 
To schedule an appointment, call 713.441.8500 or request an appointment online.

Novel Research

Our research is developing novel approaches to fighting cancer, including mitochondrial smart bombs, nanosyringes for efficient drug delivery, drug pump inhibitors to trap chemotherapy in cancer cells, and gene therapy approaches. Learn more. 

Novel Gene Therapy Shows Early Promise Against Glioblastoma

Early trials of a new form of gene therapy may give hope to patients battling glioblastoma, the most deadly form of brain cancer. Learn more.

How do you handle risk? 

Houston Methodist's Dr. David Baskin shares how preparation and training can help reduce the impact of the unexpected in a chapter of the new book The Art of Risk. Pictured here are Kayt Sukel, the book’s author, Dr. Baskin and his daughter.

Experimental glioblastoma therapy shows curative powers in mice models

Houston Methodist researchers found mice harboring human glioblastoma tumors in their brains had greatly enhanced survival when given a newly developed prodrug that targets and destroys the DNA inside the glioblastoma cell mitochondria, leaving normal cells intact. Learn more. 

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