Dr. Ingo K. Mellinghoff

Dr. Ingo K. Mellinghoff, MD, FACP, is a medical oncologist specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of central nervous system tumors, with a particular focus on low-grade glioma and glioblastoma. He serves as Chair of the Department of Neurology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he leads a multidisciplinary team of experts in neuro-oncology, neurology, clinical neurophysiology, neuropsychology, and rehabilitation medicine. His clinical practice encompasses patients with all types of primary brain tumors, as well as those with brain metastases, leptomeningeal metastases from other cancers, neurologic complications of cancer or its treatment, and conditions requiring physical rehabilitation. Dr. Mellinghoff trained in oncology at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he witnessed early breakthroughs with mutation-targeted therapies, an experience that shaped the direction of his research career. He approaches each patient with clear, honest communication and a commitment to empathy, working closely with the broader MSK team to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's goals and circumstances.

Dr. Mellinghoff's research focuses on discovering and developing anticancer treatments that are both more effective and less toxic. His laboratory investigates how specific genetic alterations in tumor cells drive growth while simultaneously creating vulnerabilities that can be exploited therapeutically. A major focus of this work has been isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutated glioma, a research program that began over a decade ago with cell line experiments and advanced through clinical translation. This work contributed directly to the INDIGO trial, a phase 3 study demonstrating that the IDH inhibitor vorasidenib reduces tumor growth and delays the need for more toxic therapies in patients with IDH-mutant, low-grade glioma. His laboratory studies in experimental models are closely linked to the evaluation of new treatment approaches in patients, including analysis of tumor biopsies and cerebrospinal fluid, reflecting a deeply integrated bench-to-bedside research approach.

Beyond his clinical and research responsibilities, Dr. Mellinghoff is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of physicians and scientists. He works alongside trainees in both the clinic and the laboratory, and actively participates in MSK's training programs for postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, undergraduate students, and high school students. He recognizes the importance of the full MSK team in delivering exceptional brain tumor care, from specialized imaging and neurosurgical and radiation treatments to the management of seizures, blood clots, and cognitive and behavioral changes, as well as neurological and physical rehabilitation. His dedication to patients, science, and education reflects a career built on the belief that meaningful progress in brain cancer care requires excellence across all three.