Dr. Matthias A. Karajannis

Dr. Matthias A. Karajannis, MD, MS, is a pediatric neuro-oncologist and Chief of the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he has cared for children with brain tumors, spinal cord tumors, and neurofibromatosis for more than two decades. He completed medical school during a period of rapid advances in pediatric oncology, a time that shaped his understanding of how collaboration between laboratory and clinical research can transform once-deadly cancers into curable diseases. After completing his pediatric residency and a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology, he pursued additional specialized training in pediatric neuro-oncology, driven by the recognition that many children with brain tumors were not achieving good outcomes and that new, more effective therapies with fewer side effects were urgently needed. At MSK, he works within a multidisciplinary team of medical and surgical experts who combine clinical skill with advances in molecular diagnostics to practice precision medicine, identifying the unique biological characteristics and vulnerabilities of each tumor to guide personalized treatment plans.

Dr. Karajannis is deeply engaged in translational research, converting clinical observations and laboratory findings into improved diagnostic and treatment strategies for children and young adults with brain tumors. He serves as principal investigator on several early-phase clinical trials focused on new treatments for neurofibromatosis, an inherited condition that predisposes individuals to nervous system tumors. He also holds leadership and study chair roles in major multicenter clinical trial consortia, including the Children's Oncology Group, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, and the Neurofibromatosis Clinical Trials Consortium. Through this work, he contributes to the development of therapies that have the potential to improve outcomes across a broad pediatric patient population.

Central to Dr. Karajannis's practice is a commitment to individualized, family-centered care. He and his team work closely with patients and their families from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship, tailoring care plans that may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or active surveillance depending on the nature of the tumor. MSK Kids also offers access to a robust clinical trials program, giving eligible patients the opportunity to receive promising new treatments. Recognizing that a cancer diagnosis represents one of the most difficult experiences a child and family can face, Dr. Karajannis remains dedicated to ensuring that every patient receives the best available care while minimizing the burden of treatment side effects.