Dr. Damon R. Reed

Dr. Damon R. Reed, MD, is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist on the MSK Kids team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, specializing in the care of children, adolescents, and young adults with sarcomas and other solid tumors. He brings particular expertise in studying the biological changes that occur within tumors as they develop resistance to therapies, a focus that drives his commitment to understanding cancer progression and designing more effective treatment strategies. His clinical approach is deeply patient-centered: when meeting with young patients and their families, he takes time to explain what is known about their cancer, presents a range of options, listens carefully to their questions and concerns, and offers recommendations grounded in a thorough assessment of risks and potential benefits.

Dr. Reed's research centers on the challenge of therapeutic resistance in pediatric cancers, with a focus on how best to combine and sequence treatments to maximize outcomes for young patients. His work spans targeted therapies aimed at the molecular drivers of cancer growth, conventional chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and the timely integration of surgery and radiation within a precision oncology framework. He is also actively involved in early-phase clinical trials evaluating new therapies for patients with cancer. His goal is to restore tumor sensitivity to anti-cancer medications, reduce relapse, and help young people with cancer live longer and better lives.

Beyond his clinical and research work, Dr. Reed holds significant leadership roles in the field of pediatric oncology. He serves as Vice Chair of the Bone Tumor Committee for the Children's Oncology Group and as Vice President of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society, an international organization of sarcoma specialists, with a planned term as President in 2024. He looks forward to collaborating across Memorial Sloan Kettering to develop more dynamic approaches to caring for young people with sarcomas and other pediatric solid tumors, driven by his belief that improved outcomes for these extraordinary patients are within reach.