Orthopedic Oncology Research and Education

Dr. Ng and Dr. Scott Weiner at National Tumor Conference

As a leader in the field, University of Maryland undertakes its own research and supports other's research through education and fundraising efforts.

Clinical Trials

NEXIS (Neoadjuvant XRT Immunotherapy and Surgery for Soft Tissue Sarcoma) is a clinical trial, led by Vincent Ng, MD, that assesses the use of two immunotherapy agents together with radiation therapy for treating newly diagnosed, high-risk sarcoma. The goal is to stimulate the immune system to destroy the initial tumor and any remaining cancer cells. Dr. Ng and Xuefang Cao, PhD have received a micro grant to study the effects of immunotherapy on the circulating immune system before and after sarcoma surgery.

Read Q&A with Dr. Ng about the NEXIS Trial.
See a partial listing of Dr. Ng's published works.

Research and Grants

Chondrosarcoma - Masahiro Iwamoto, PhD and Motomi Enomoto-Iwamoto, DDS, PhD are collaborating with Dr. Ng for a novel project utilizing nanoparticles and retinoic acid receptor agonists to shrink chondrosarcomas. They have received an ATIP (Accelerated Translational Incubator Pilot) to study this concept in a small animal model.

Oncolytic virus research - Dr. Ng is also collaborating with Motomi Iwamoto, PhD on NIH-funded research for osteochondromas

Implant/megaprosthesis - Tonya Webb, PhD is collaborating with Dr. Ng to examine the use of various oncolytic viruses to treat sarcomas. Oncolytic viruses are specialized engineered viruses that specifically target cancer cells to not only destroy them but also promote an immune response against the cancer.

Bacteriophage for infections - James Doub, MD is collaborating with Dr. Ng on a cutting-edge method to overcome antibiotic-resistant infections for prostheses. Bacteriophages are special viruses that target bacteria and may be more effective than traditional antibiotics. Dr. Ng recently performed one of the first surgeries in the nation using bacteriophages to treat a prosthetic joint infection.

Musculoskeletal Tumor Education Conference

This annual conference, hosted by University of Maryland in conjunction with Johns Hopkins, offers residents, students and attending physicians at multiple regional hospitals and medical systems the opportunity to learn from experts from these fields:

Musculoskeletal radiology
Musculoskeletal pathology
Orthopedic oncology
Radiation oncology
Medical oncology

An invited speaker from nationally recognized institutions highlight the program each year:

2019 – Bang Hoang, MD (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)
2018 – Benjamin Kyle Potter, MD (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center)
2017 – Scott Weiner, MD (Summa Health Institute)
2016 – Edward McCarthy, MD (Johns Hopkins Hospital)
2015 – Joel Mayerson, MD (The Ohio State University)
2014 – Ernest "Chappie" Conrad (Houston Methodist Hospital)

Race to Cure Sarcoma

The Sarcoma Foundation of America's inaugural Race to Cure Sarcoma Baltimore, coordinated by Dr. Ng, is a family-friendly walk/run event that raises awareness and financial resources for sarcoma research.

The 5K or 1-mile walk/run through the Maryland Zoo is May 9, 2020. All 5k participants will be timed!