Thomas J. Ow

Thomas J. Ow, M.D., M.S.

Area of research

  • Head and Neck Cancer Biology; Molecular and genetic biomarkers in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Biology and Management of Head and Neck Skin Cancer; Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Outcomes.

Email

Phone

Location

  • Montefiore Medical Center Medical Arts Pavilion 3400 Bainbridge Avenue MMC-MAP 3304 Bronx, NY 10467

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Professional Interests

Overview

Dr. Ow is a Head and Neck Surgeon and Translational Researcher at Montefiore Medical Center-Albert Einstein College of Medicine.  He specializes in the surgical treatment of tumors in the head and neck region, including those that occur in the mouth, throat, larynx, neck, sinuses, salivary glands, and thyroid gland.  He also specializes in the surgical treatment of skin cancers that occur on the scalp, face, and neck. 

Dr. Ow’s research is focused on the translation of genetic and molecular determinants in head and neck squamous cell cancer into clinically useful biomarkers and therapeutic targets.  Specifically, Dr. Ow is studying factors that contribute to radiation and chemotherapy resistance in this disease, as well as genomic alterations acquired during the process of locoregional recurrence, lymph node spread, and distant metastasis.  As a translational scientist, Dr. Ow is involved in active projects studying  laboratory models of HNSCC, research utilizing patient's tumors, as well as clinical research - both retrospective studies and prospective clinical trials.  The ultimate goal of this work is to identify novel ways to improve the survival and functional outcomes among patients with HNSCC. 

Institutional, Regional, and National Roles

Vice Chair, Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee, Alber Einstein Cancer Center
 
Director of Clinical and Translational Research, 
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine
 
Member Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology Committee, AAO-HNS
 
Vice-Chair, Cutaneous Malignancy Section, American Head and Neck Society
 
Treasurer, New York Head and Neck Society
 

Selected Publications

For a full publication list, please navigate to:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/12QRcwq6r-GQU/bibliograpahy/47760443/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending

Selected publications:

 

Ow TJ, Mehta V, Kim S, Vakil M, Friedmann P, In H. Evaluation of Survival and Postoperative Radiation Among Patients with Advanced Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: An Analysis of the National Cancer Database. Ann Surg Oncol. 2022 Apr;29(4):2582-2591. doi: 10.1245/s10434-021-11158-9. Epub 2022 Jan 23. PMID: 35067791; PMCID: PMC8940671.

Ow TJ, Fulcher CD, Thomas C, Broin PÓ, López A, Reyna DE, Smith RV, Sarta C, Prystowsky MB, Schlecht NF, Schiff BA, Rosenblatt G, Belbin TJ, Harris TM, Childs GC, Kawachi N, Guha C, Gavathiotis E. Optimal targeting of BCL-family proteins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma requires inhibition of both BCL-xL and MCL-1.  Oncotarget. 2019 Jan 11;10(4):494-510.  PMID: 30728900; PMCID: PMC6355180.

Bresler A, Mehta V, Schiff BA, Smith RV, Khader S, Ramos-Rivera G, Lin J, Libutti SK, Laird AM, Ow TJ.  Comparison of Bethesda cytopathology classification to surgical pathology across racial-ethnic groups.  Head Neck. 2019 Jul;41(7):2340-2345.  PMID: 30793405

Hochfelder CG, McGinn AP, Mehta V, Castellucci E, Kabarriti R, Ow TJ.  Treatment sequence and survival in locoregionally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer: A surveillance, epidemiology, and end results-based study.  Laryngoscope. 2019 Dec 10. PMID: 31821572

Ow TJ, Thomas C, Fulcher CD, Chen J, López A, Reyna DE, Prystowsky MB, Smith RV, Schiff BA, Rosenblatt G, Belbin TJ, Harris TM, Childs GC, Kawachi N, Schlecht NF, Gavathiotis E.  Apoptosis signaling molecules as treatment targets in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.  Laryngoscope. 2020 Jan 2. doi: 10.1002/lary.28441. PMID: 31894587

Alli BY, Burk RD, Fatahzadeh M, Grossberg RM, Smith RV, Ow TJ, Wiltz M, Polanco J, Rousseau MC, Nicolau B, Schlecht NF. HIV modifies the effect of tobacco smoking on oral human papillomavirus infection.  J Infect Dis. 2020 Mar 25.  PMID: 32211783

Ow TJ, Thomas C, Fulcher CD, Chen J, López A, Reyna DE, Prystowsky MB, Smith RV, Schiff BA, Rosenblatt G, Belbin TJ, Harris TM, Childs GC, Kawachi N, Schlecht NF, Gavathiotis E. In Response to Regarding: Apoptosis Signaling Molecules as Treatment Targets in Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma. Laryngoscope. 2020 Aug;130(8):E458-E459. PMID: 32421206

Thal AG, Schiff BA, Ahmed Y, Cao A, Mo A, Mehta V, Smith RV, Cohen HW, Ow TJ.  Tracheotomy in a High-Volume Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evaluating the Surgeon's Risk. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021 Mar;164(3):522-527.   PMID: 32870117

Paoluzzi L, Ow TJ.  Safe Administration of Cemiplimab to a Kidney Transplant Patient with Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Scalp. Curr Oncol. 2021 Jan 19;28(1):574-580. PMID: 33477979

Gadsden NJ, Fulcher CD, Li D, Shrivastava N, Thomas C, Segall JE, Prystowsky MB, Schlecht NF, Gavathiotis E, Ow TJ. Palbociclib Renders Human Papilloma Virus-Negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Vulnerable to the Senolytic Agent Navitoclax. Mol Cancer Res. 2021 May;19(5):862-873  2021. PMID: 33495400

Hochfelder CG, Mehta V, Kabarriti R, McGinn AP, Castellucci E, Ow TJ. Survival analysis of patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer comparing patients who received primary surgery to those who received chemoradiation: An analysis of the NCDB. Oral Oncol. 2021 Aug 18;121:105470. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2021.105470. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34418696.

Ow TJ, Spector-Bagdady K, Cowan E, Shuman AG.  Broad Consent for Head and Neck Cancer Research. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018 May;158(5):835-838.  PMID: 29529925.

Ow TJ, Wang HR, McLellan B, Ciocon D, Amin B, Goldenberg D, Schmalbach CE; Education Committee of the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS).  AHNS series - Do you know your guidelines? Diagnosis and management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.  Head Neck. 2016 Nov;38(11):1589-1595. PMID:  27653232.

Fulcher CD, Haigentz M Jr, Ow TJ.  AHNS Series: Do you know your guidelines? Principles of treatment for locally advanced or unresectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.  ; Education Committee of the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS).  Head Neck. 2017 Nov 24. PMID:  29171929

Ow TJ, Grethlein SJ, Schmalbach CE; Education Committee of the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS).  Do you know your guidelines? Diagnosis and management of cutaneous head and neck melanoma.  Head Neck. 2018 May;40(5):875-885. Epub 2018 Feb 27.  PMID: 29485688

McMullen CP, Ow TJ. The Role of Systemic Therapy in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2021 Apr;54(2):343-355. PMID: 33583597

Ow TJ, Sandulache VC, Skinner HD, Myers JN.  Integration of cancer genomics with treatment selection: from the genome to predictive biomarkers.  Cancer. 2013 Nov 15;119(22):3914-28.  PMID: 24037788 PMCID: PMC3930628.

Grant Funding:

 Active

10/18/2021 – 9/30/2023     Price Family Foundation        (PI: Ow)

              Pilot Projects to Develop Experimental Cancer Therapeutics for Underrepresented Populations

The Role NRF2 signaling and Oxidative Stress Response in Cisplatin Resistance Among African Americans with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma”

This application is focused on signaling pathways related to cisplatin resistance between different racial-ethnic groups, with studies focused on chemotherapeutic agents that may be specifically effective for underrepresented minority patients.

 

07/01/2021 – 6/30/2023 R03DE031001 (PI: Ow)
NIH-NIDCR
“A two-pronged senolytic approach to treatment of oral cavity cancer”
This application describes inducing senescence using a CDK4/6 inhibitor to make oral cancer cells vulnerable to inhibitors of apoptosis pro-survival molecules.  The project will examine signaling molecules related to response to this strategy.
Role: Principal Investigator (20% effort)
 
07/01/2019-06/30/2024 P30 CA013330 (PI: Chu)
  NIH-NCI Albert Einstein Cancer Center
Role: Vice Chair, Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee
 
Completed
01/01/2018-12/31/2020 1 K23 DE027425-01 (PI: Ow)
NIH-NIDCR
Development of a genetic and molecular prediction model for cisplatin and radiation resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
The major goals of this project are to determine if a panel of genetic and molecular biomarkers can be used to predict the response of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to chemotherapy and radiation.
Role:  Principal Investigator 
 
12/1/2017 – 3/1/2018 Albert Einstein College of Medicine   (PI: Ow) NIH-NCATS CTSA Special Pilot Funding
“Matching BCL-2 family targeted therapy with BH3-profile in head and neck squamous carcinoma”
Role:  Principal Investigator 
 
9/1/16-8/31/18 R21 DE026177 (PI :  Schlecht N, Burk R)                                       
“Beta & Gamma Oral HPV Infection in HIV Positive Individuals”
Role: Co-Investigator (2% Effort)
 
8/1/2016 – 7/31/2018 3P50DE019032-14S2        (PI: Sidransky)
NIDCR-NIH
SPORE in Head and Neck Cancer (subcontract)
Subaward:  2002849174
This subaward is dedicated to the genomic characterization of head and neck squamous cancers in patients who are HIV-positive.
Role: Site Co-Investigator  
 
7/1/15-12/31/17 Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology  (K12)
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
2K12CA132783-06 (PI: Perez-Soler)
NIH- NCI
 
7/1/15-6/30/17 Trainee- Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP)
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Clinical and Translational Science Award
5UL1TR001073-03 (PI:  Shamoon) 
NIH-NCATS
 
7/1/16-6/30/17 Triological Society Career Development Award
Triological Society  (PI : Ow)
Dual targeting of apoptosis in HNSCC as a mechanism to overcome treatment resistance
 
2013-2014 Mentor (PI: Virbalas)
American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO)
Evaluation of the CYP2D6 gene in a diverse urban population.
Role: Mentor
 
2010-2012 Principal Investigator
AHNS/AAO-HNSF Young Investigator Combined Award
TP53 gain of function mutation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
 
2009-2011 Research Fellow
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
T32CA060374 (PI: Myers)
NIH-NCI
Institutional National Research Science Award (T32)
Training of Academic Head and Neck Surgical Oncologist