Sonikpreet Aulakh, MBBS, MD

Assistant Professor

Organization:

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Department:

Medicine

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Faculty

Associate Professor

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West Virginia University School of Medicine

Department:

Department of Neuroscience

Classification:

Faculty

Assistant Professor

Organization:

West Virginia University WVU Cancer Institute

Department:

Department of Medical Oncology

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Faculty

Associate Professor

Organization:

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Department:

Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (SOM)

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Faculty

Member

Organization:

West Virginia University WVU Cancer Institute

Department:

WVU Cancer Institute Research Programs

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Faculty

• MBBS, Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa, India, 2011

1. Aulakh, S., et al. (2024). Biological and prognostic relevance of epigenetic regulatory genes in high-grade gliomas. Neuro-Oncology Advances, 6(1), vdae169.
2. Sherman, J. H., Bobak, A., et al. (2024). Targeting drug resistance in glioblastoma (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 65(2), 80.
3. Muñoz Perez, N., et al. (2024). VISTA emerges as a promising target against immune evasion mechanisms in medulloblastoma. Cancers, 16(15), 2629.
4. Cioffi, G., et al. (2024). Sex differences in glioblastoma response to treatment: Impact of MGMT methylation. Neuro-Oncology Advances, 6(1), vdae031.
5. Lee, I. Y., et al. (2024). Autologous cell immunotherapy (IGV-001) with IGF-1R antisense oligonucleotide in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients. Future Oncology, 20(10), 579–591.
6. Stout, N. L., Greenfield, J., & Aulakh, S. (2023). Feasibility of a clinically integrated rehabilitation therapist in a neuro-oncology clinic. Neuro-Oncology Advances, 5(1), vdad098.
7. Darabi, S., et al. (2023). Capicua (CIC) mutations in gliomas in association with MAPK activation for exposing a potential therapeutic target. Medical Oncology, 40(7), 197.
8. Blethen, K. E., et al. (2021). Modulation of the blood-tumor barrier to enhance drug delivery and efficacy for brain metastases. Neuro-Oncology Advances, 3(Suppl 5), v133–v143.
9. Aulakh, S., et al. (2019). Survival trends in glioblastoma and association with treating facility volume. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 68, 271–274.
10. Aulakh, S. (n.d.). Growth factor signaling and therapy in brain tumors. In Handbook of Brain Tumor Chemotherapy, Molecular Therapeutics, and Immunotherapy (3rd ed.).

Awards and Honors

- West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute Research Scholar Award, 2024–2026

- Implementing a care delivery model to improve PRO-guided care for patients with brain tumors, PROTEUS Consortium and Pfizer Global Medical Grants, Co-Principal Investigator (completed, 2022–2024)

- Clinical study to overcome the biological and geographic diversity of high-grade gliomas in the Appalachian region, Roberts A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials Award Program, Principal Investigator (completed, 2022–2024)

- Role of CD38 in Glioblastoma and its treatment resistance, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center Tumor Microenvironment Center of Biomedical Research Excellence, Principal Investigator (completed, 2021–2022)

- Therapeutic implications of CD38 and BCL2 in midline gliomas, WVU Clinical and Translational Institute, Principal Investigator (completed, 2020–2022)

- Role of BCL2 in Glioblastoma, West Virginia University, Principal Investigator (ongoing, 2020–present)

- Development of pre-clinical models of Glioblastoma, Diane Ulch Brain Cancer Funds, Principal Investigator (ongoing, 2020–present)

- Evaluation of skin microbiome in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Focused Research Team Award, Co-Investigator (completed, 2018–2019)

- CD38-targeted therapy in Glioblastoma, Phi Beta Psi Sorority, Principal Investigator (ongoing, 2018–present)

- Targeting CD38 in Glioblastoma, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Focused Research Team Award, Principal Investigator (completed, 2018–2019)

- West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute Research Scholar Award, 2024

- West Virginia Occupational Therapy Best Physician Award, 2023

- Asian Society of NeuroOncology-Society of NeuroOncology Travel Award, Clinical Trials Scholars Course, 2023

- Florida Society of Clinical Oncology, ASCO Travel Award, 2019

- Annual Meeting of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Travel Award, 2019

- Excellence Award, Quality Improvement Project, Wayne State University, 2014

- Excellence Award, Internal Medicine, Awadesh Pratap Singh University, 2010

- Excellence Award, Pediatrics, Awadesh Pratap Singh University, 2010

- Excellence Award, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Awadesh Pratap Singh University, 2010

- Excellence Award, Community Medicine, Awadesh Pratap Singh University, 2008

- Excellence Award, Microbiology, Awadesh Pratap Singh University, 2008

 

Dr. Sonikpreet Aulakh is a distinguished Associate Professor of Medical Oncology and the Co-Director of the Brain Tumor Disease Team at West Virginia University, with a specialized focus on Neuro-Oncology. As a leading expert in brain tumor research, Dr. Aulakh is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of Glioblastoma and other high-grade gliomas through innovative therapeutic approaches. Her work on CD38-targeted therapies, chromatin remodeling genes, fusion transcriptome has positioned her at the forefront of precision medicine in Neuro-Oncology. As Director of the Molecular Tumor Board at WVU, she plays a pivotal role in integrating cutting-edge molecular insights into personalized patient care.

Dr. Aulakh’s commitment to addressing healthcare disparities in rural Appalachia is evident in her research, which tackles the unique biological and geographic challenges faced by patients with brain tumors in underserved regions. Her leadership in clinical trials and translational research is transforming the landscape of brain cancer treatment, offering hope to patients with complex diagnoses. A board-certified oncologist and internist, Dr. Aulakh completed her Hematology-Oncology fellowship at Mayo Clinic, Internal Medicine residency at Wayne State University, and earned her MBBS from Shyam Shah Medical College, India.

· Fellowship, Hematology-Oncology, Mayo Clinic, FL, 2016–2019

· Residency, Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, MI, 2013–2016

· Medical Student Clerkship, Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY, 2011

In her laboratory, Dr. Aulakh investigates the molecular underpinnings of glioblastoma, focusing on CD38 as a therapeutic target to overcome treatment resistance. Her ongoing projects, funded by intramural and extramural funding, include developing patient-derived xenograft models to test novel therapies and exploring the tumor microenvironment’s role in disease progression. By addressing the biological diversity of brain tumors in Appalachia, her research lays the foundation for personalized treatments tailored to rural populations.

Dr. Aulakh’s translational research bridges laboratory discoveries and clinical practice, directly impacting rural neuro-oncology care. Her work on CD38-targeted therapies has led to clinical trials that translate molecular insights into tangible treatments. Projects like the PROTEUS Consortium study (2022–2024) have implemented patient-reported outcome-guided care models, improving quality of life for brain tumor patients in Appalachia. By integrating genomic data and clinical outcomes, she ensures that rural patients benefit from precision medicine advancements.

Research Interests

• Brain Tumor Therapeutics: Pioneering target specific therapies to enhance the antitumor efficacy in glioblastoma and midline gliomas.
• Precision Medicine in Neuro-Oncology: Leveraging genomic and molecular profiling to develop personalized treatment strategies for high-grade gliomas.
• Clinical Trials Leadership: Designing and leading innovative trials to improve outcomes in glioblastoma using immunotherapy and radiation.
• Rural Healthcare Disparities: Addressing biological, geographic, and socioeconomic barriers to brain tumor care in Appalachia through clinical and translational research.
• Tumor Microenvironment: Investigating the role of the tumor microenvironment in treatment resistance and disease progression in brain cancers.

Clinical Trials Leadership

• NCT04922723 : Phase I/II trial of radiation, temozolomide, and daratumumab immunotherapy for glioblastoma, Lead Principal Investigator (closed to accrual).
• NCT05503797: Efficacy and safety of FORE8394 in BRAF-altered cancers, Site Principal Investigator (open to accrual).
• NCT04471844 (EF-32): Optune® with radiation and temozolomide for newly diagnosed glioblastoma, Site Principal Investigator (closed to accrual).
• NCT04142437 (ON-TRK): Larotrectinib in TRK fusion cancer, Site Principal Investigator (open to accrual).
• NCT04410133 (REVELATE): 18F Fluciclovine PET for recurrent brain metastases, Site Principal Investigator (completed).

Current Research Projects

• CD38-Targeted Therapy in Glioblastoma
• Role of BCL2 in Glioblastoma
• Role of fusion proteins in Glioblastoma
• Development of Pre-Clinical Models of Glioblastoma
• Clinical Study on High-Grade Gliomas in Appalachia
• PRO-Guided Care for Brain Tumor Patients
• Implementation of decentralized clinical trials

Special Training

• Fellowship, Hematology/Oncology
  Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Florida, 2019
• Residency, Internal Medicine
  Wayne State University School of Medicine, Michigan, 2016

Dr. Aulakh provides compassionate, high-quality clinical care to patients with complex primary and secondary brain cancers including but not limited to Glioblastomas, Astrocytomas, Oligodendrogliomas, Meningiomas, Craniopharyngiomas, Primary CNS lymphomas, Medulloblastoma, Midline gliomas, Neurofibromatosis, Tuberous Sclerosis, Brain metastases, Leptomeningeal disease at West Virginia University Cancer Institute. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to design individualized treatment plans that incorporate molecular profiling and emerging therapies. Her commitment to rural patients ensures that those in remote areas receive comprehensive care, including access to systemic chemotherapy, systemic immunotherapy, systemic targeted therapies, intrathecal chemotherapies (via Ommaya or IRAA flow), intrathecal immunotherapies, tumor-treating fields and other innovative interventions, reducing the need for long-distance travel.

Through her integrated approach, Dr. Aulakh is revolutionizing Neuro-Oncology care in rural Appalachia. Her clinical trials bring novel therapies to underserved communities, her laboratory research addresses region-specific biological challenges, and her clinical and translational efforts ensure that rural patients receive personalized, evidence-based care. By tackling disparities in access, diagnosis, and treatment, Dr. Aulakh’s work is transforming the landscape of brain tumor management in West Virginia and beyond.