Barbara O'Brien

Barbara O'Brien is a Senior Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her research focuses on neuro-oncology, specifically gliomas, brain metastases, and novel therapeutic strategies for primary and metastatic brain tumors. Her 2025 publications in *Nature Communications* and *JAMA Oncology* highlight work on anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma, the use of tarlatamab for untreated SCLC brain metastases, and the logistics of preoperative versus postoperative stereotactic radiation therapy. She also investigates intrathecal therapy for leptomeningeal metastases and DNA-PK inhibition combined with radiation in MGMT-unmethylated glioblastoma. Her clinical trials span recurrent ependymoma and biomarker-driven radiation approaches, reflecting a translational focus bridging molecular tumor biology, immunotherapy, and radiation oncology.