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Yael P. Mossé, MD

Yael P. Mossé, MD

Yael P. Mossé, MD

Yael P. Mossé, MD, is an attending physician and leader of the Neuroblastoma Developmental Therapeutics Program at CHOP’s Cancer Center. Dr. Mossé currently holds the Patricia Brophy Endowed Chair in Neuroblastoma Research.

Areas of expertise: Neuroblastoma


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About Yael P. Mossé, MD

Dr. Yael Mossé’s clinical and research specialty is neuroblastoma, a cancer that starts in the nerve tissues of infants and young children. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has developed the nation's foremost clinical and research team devoted to children with neuroblastoma, and offers the possibility of clinical trials that are not available elsewhere.

In Dr. Mossé’s lab, researchers have made great strides in the knowledge of the hereditary predisposition and progression of neuroblastoma. They discovered the gene mutations that are the primary cause of the inherited version of neuroblastoma and that also play a significant role in high-risk forms of the more common, non-inherited form of the disease. These findings are helping translate knowledge from the lab to new and — one day — curative ideas for patients. Along with the possibility of new therapeutics, physicians at CHOP can also offer noninvasive screening for patients with a history that suggests a genetic predisposition to developing neuroblastoma.

The neuroblastoma developmental therapeutics team involves oncologists, nurse practitioners, a clinical research assistant and a social worker, along with the child's primary oncologist. This team approach means CHOP’s experts all work together to help provide options for the families and patients. The team is always available to communicate with the family, an important consideration since many families come from outside our region.

After the initial consult, Dr. Mossé always let families know they are free to continue to communicate with her and ask questions. She believes that tough decision-making is best done in partnership with the family, which requires a deep understanding of the child and his history, and a sincere evaluation of all options both at the time of initial consultation and down the road. Dr. Mossé’s goal is to help patients and families go home after a serious appraisal of all options and strong consideration of quality of life.

The focus of Dr. Mossé’s lab research involves the genetic mutations responsible for neuroblastoma. The team recently discovered that a region of chromosome 2 was associated with the disease, and identified mutations in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. ALK is an oncogene (cancer causing gene) whose mutations are both genetic and acquired. Many pharmaceutical companies already make drugs that turn off the ALK gene, so Dr. Mossé’s team is now working on translating its discovery to the therapeutic use of ALK inhibiting drugs.

Dr. Mossé’s lab currently has a multi-institutional trial open through the Children’s Oncology Group for all children with relapsed neuroblastoma with the goal of bringing this therapy up-front for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with neuroblastoma.

When Dr. Mossé started as a fellow with John M. Maris, MD, who is the premier expert in neuroblastoma, she found it intriguing to learn there were families with a history of the cancer. She decided to investigate this, and what had started as a side project – with luck and perseverance – turned out to result in a major scientific discovery.

Every experiment Dr. Mossé and her team does in the lab is focused on thinking about individual patients and how to develop new therapies. With a lot of determination, they have been able to translate the studies into clinical trials and move from patient to lab – and back to patient. Dr. Mossé believes she works with a tremendous team. Together, they have created a model that is branching out from neuroblastoma to all childhood cancers.

Titles

Attending Physician

Associate Professor, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Certifications

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology – American Board of Pediatrics

Awards and Honors

2024, William Osler Patient Oriented Research Award, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
2024, Dr. Audrey E. Evans Award of Excellence to Drs. John Maris and Yael Mossé
2022, Frank A. Oski Memorial Award, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
2021, Elected Member, American Pediatric Society
2018, Patricia Brophy Endowed Chair in Neuroblastoma Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
2013, ASCO Leadership Development Program, American Society of Clinical Oncology
2013, Leadership Development Program, American Society of Clinical Oncology
2012, First Inaugural James B. Nachman ASCO Junior Faculty Award in Pediatric Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology
2012, Election to Membership, American Society of Clinical Investigation
2012, First Inaugural James B. Nachman Junior Faculty Award in Pediatric Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology
2006, Foerderer-Murray Award, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
2004, Career Development Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology
2003, Young Investigator Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology

Leadership and Memberships

2021-present, American Pediatric Society
2021-present, American Association for Cancer Research
2013-present, American Society of Clinical Oncology
2012-present, American Society of Clinical Investigation

Research Interests

Hereditary predisposition and progression of neuroblastoma

Education & training

Undergraduate Degree

Smith College Northampton, MA

Graduate Degree

Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

Medical Degree

MD - Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel

Internship

Pediatrics - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Residency

Pediatrics - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Fellowship

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

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