About

Jeffrey C. Allen, MD, is a Clinical Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and a Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Neurology. His research focuses on clinical trials and pediatric neuro-oncology, with particular emphasis on neurofibromatosis, brain tumors, and translational research in both adults and children. He established the Brain Tumor Research Center at NYU School of Medicine in 1992, which supports a tumor bank, patient database, and multiple research projects investigating tumor suppressor genes, oncogene interactions, growth factors, cell adhesion molecules, and cellular immunology. The center has accrued over 3000 tumor specimens and maintains a comprehensive neurofibromatosis database, facilitating numerous institutional and collaborative research efforts funded by grants such as those from the Making Headway Foundation. Dr. Allen also directs the NYU Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Center, which was initiated in 2008 and became a member of the NF Clinical Trials Consortium in 2011, providing patients with access to advanced clinical trials. His work actively engages in clinical and translational research, pharmaceutical collaborations, and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for neuro-oncological conditions.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Surgery
• Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Genetics
• Pathology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Oncology
• Radiology
• Gastroenterology

Selected publications

• Mid-Infrared Metaplasmonic Sensing

  Nano Letters · 2026-04-24

  article

  The significant mismatch between the long wavelengths of the mid-infrared and the length scales of many chemical, biological, and/or material elements results in weak light-matter interaction and is a significant obstacle for molecular sensing at the nanoscale. Here we demonstrate that metaplasmonic resonators, which extend true plasmonic response from the visible/near-infrared wavelength range to the mid-infrared via geometric dilution of thin noble metal films, enable strong mode confinement at long wavelengths, commensurate with the length scale of nanovolume analytes. Metaplasmonic materials and geometries are investigated to optimize mode confinement and optical response, and we demonstrate strong resonant enhancement of absorption features in ultrathin (≈30 nm) polymer films. The metaplasmonic architectures explored show a significant improvement over wavelength-scale noble metal antenna structures, offering a scalable approach for long-wavelength molecular sensing of nanoscale material volumes.

  PublisherDOI

• Initial Outcomes of a Novel Technique of Nipple Sparing Mastectomy Without Reconstruction

  Cancers · 2025-03-14

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Introduction: Nipple sparing mastectomy is oncologically safe and has a good cosmetic outcome. However, nipple sparing mastectomy was conventionally performed with reconstruction. Minimal scar mastectomy (MSM) is a novel technique which could allow women, with non-ptotic breasts, who do not want reconstruction, to conserve their nipple areolar complex (NAC) and avoid the transverse scar associated with modified radical mastectomy. This is the first study on the outcomes of MSM. Methods: MSM complications and their risk factors, recurrence rates and cosmetic outcomes were assessed. As MSM is a modification of the round block technique, the mean ring distance (MRD), which is the average of the distance between the inner and outer ring circumferentially, was assessed, too. Results: A total of 28 patients (29 breasts) were analysed. There was no recurrence after a mean/median follow-up of 40.3/41 months (4–80 months). In the initial recruitment of 17 patients (18 breasts), NAC necrosis occurred in eight cases (three complete, five partial). Prediabetes (p = 0.0128) and MRD ≥1.5 cm (p = 0.0440) were statistically significant for NAC necrosis. Of the available data, 11/15 (73.3%) rated the cosmetic outcome as excellent/good, with poorer cosmetic outcome correlated with NAC necrosis (p = 0.006). Avoiding the above risk factors in the next 11 patients, NAC necrosis decreased to 1/11 (9.0%) with mild ischaemia. Cosmetic outcome was rated as excellent/good in 90.9%. Conclusions: MSM is oncologically safe and is best performed in patients with no risk factors for NAC necrosis, including prediabetes and MRD < 1.5 cm. These pilot results will refine the selection criteria of patients for MSM.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The impact of a student-developed, student-marketed, student-implemented and student-led 8-week health and wellness program on faculty and staff participation consistency

  Frontiers in Public Health · 2025-10-14

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  College and university faculty and staff in the United States experience diabetes rates higher than the national average, elevated cholesterol levels, receive fewer than the recommended 7 h of sleep per night, and routinely experience overwhelming anxiety. In response, some universities have implemented top-down approaches to employee wellness but there is scant evidence of student-driven approaches to faculty and staff wellness. The current study examines improvement in faculty and staff participation consistency when enrolled in a fully student-developed, −implemented, and -evaluated 8-week health and wellness program. The 78 participants in the study were asked to complete both a pre- and post-intervention Likert scale questionnaire, which was assessed by independent T-tests. There was a statistically significant difference in mean of the participation of staff in the wellness program activities within the university and at local community activities pre- and post-challenge (Mean difference: −0.456, 95% CI: −0.882 – −0.048; p = 0.029). In a similar vein, there was a statistically significant difference between pre-intervention and post-intervention participation in nutritional programs at the university and the surrounding local community by staff and faculty (Mean difference: −0.472, 95% CI: −0.817 – −0.127; p = 0.008). This increased participation could be the result of nudging used throughout the intervention, which included weekly consistency reporting reminders, weekly newsletters, regular email promotions, mailbox stuffers, and personal reminders to participate. It is our belief that this nudging approach led to habituation of participation amongst faculty and staff members.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• PRAGMATICA-LUNG (SWOG S2302): A prospective, randomized study of ramucirumab plus pembrolizumab versus standard of care for participants previously treated with immunotherapy for stage IV or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer.

  Journal of Clinical Oncology · 2025-06-04 · 10 citations

  article

  LBA8671 Background: Effective therapy after frontline immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based treatment for advanced NSCLC is needed as limited options are available. Lung-MAP S1800A was a phase II randomized study of RP versus SoC for pts with NSCLC previously treated with ICI that showed benefit in overall survival (OS) with an improved toxicity profile over SOC. S2302 Pragmatica-Lung was designed to evaluate the impact on OS while reducing the barriers and burdens of trial participation. Methods: S2302 is a registration-intent randomized phase III trial for pts with advanced NSCLC who previously received ICI for at least 84 days and platinum-based therapy, randomized to SOC or RP, stratified by immediate prior therapy including ICI (yes/no) and PS (0/1 v. 2). The pragmatic design led to eligibility focus on stage, prior therapy and safety to enroll pts. Laboratory assessment and imaging were not required. Data collection was developed to minimize the burden with fewer number of forms, data elements and time points for data submitted. Only related and unexpected grade 3/4 and all grade 5 adverse events were collected. Two interim analyses (at 40% and 60% of expected deaths) were planned. The criteria for early reporting were a fixed sample p-value from a stratified log-rank test ≥ 0.3156 for futility and ≤ 0.0054 for efficacy. Results: S2302 enrolled 838 pts in 21 months (mos) from March 2023 to December 2024 (419/arm), averaging >50 pts/month in the final 6 mos. Median age (range) was 68 (34-88), 22% non-white /13% Black, 15% rural, 29% squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 63% adenocarcinoma, 81% had ICI as the most recent treatment, 13% had PS2. The study met futility criteria for early reporting at the second interim analysis (April 2025). With 370 deaths reported and median of follow-up for alive pts of 5.2 mos (0.2-22.1 mos), OS is not different between the arms: HR (95% CI): 0.99 (0.81-1.22), p=0.46; median OS of 10.1 mos for RP and 9.3 for SOC. Within histologic subgroups, the HR (95% CI) for 242 pts with SCC is 0.82 (0.56-1.22), p=0.17 and for 596 with non-SCC is 1.09 (0.85-1.39), p=0.75. Conclusions: Accrual was rapid, and participant representativeness enhanced in this study with pragmatic design features. Often understudied groups were better represented; the study represents a contrast with the usual better prognosis of trial populations. While RP did not improve OS, RP was not worse than SOC overall, may benefit some with SCC, and is chemotherapy-free. There is some evidence of subgroups benefiting with delayed curve separation. Longer follow-up and reported events will provide more clarity on these hypotheses. Support: NIH/NCI/NCTN grants U10CA180888 and U10CA180819; and in part by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and Eli Lilly and Company. Clinical trial information: NCT05633602 .

  PublisherDOI

• Impact of Al2O3 and HfO2 Gate Dielectrics on Photoresponse of Graphene Channel Field-Effect MWIR Photodetectors with HgCdTe Absorber

  Journal of Electronic Materials · 2025-06-04 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Arrays of field-effect mid-wave infrared (MWIR) photodetectors with an HgCdTe absorber and graphene channel were fabricated for room-temperature operation. The proposed device does not require cryogenic cooling for high detectivity, unlike most of the other MWIR photon photodetectors. The photodetectors showed a peak photocurrent of 254 µ A at an excitation with 4 µ m ± 40 nm wavelength and 2.05 mW/cm 2 incident power density. The detector shows a high signal-to-noise ratio of ~ 200 to ~ 1200 when coupled with a DC subtractor. The use of HfO 2 as gate dielectric increases the photocurrent by ~ 15 times compared to Al 2 O 3 . The peak specific detectivity (D*) was 2.36 × 10 10 Jones when HfO 2 was used as the gate dielectric. A notable achievement of our work is obtaining the performance with a high doping density of ~ 4.34 × 10 14 cm −3 in HgCdTe.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Effect of bevacizumab on non-target intracranial meningiomas and non-vestibular schwannomas in NF2-related schwannomatosis: NF104

  Journal of Neuro-Oncology · 2025-05-28 · 1 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Tectal gliomas as a rare finding in presumed idiopathic congenital aqueductal stenosis: patient series

  Journal of Neurosurgery Case Lessons · 2025-07-28

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Small tectal gliomas (TGs) may be unrecognized at initial diagnosis of noncommunicating hydrocephalus, with the etiology typically attributed to idiopathic congenital aqueductal stenosis (CAS). There are 2 published cases of TGs found on follow-up imaging after treatment with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). The authors investigated for this phenomenon in a large cohort of patients with TG or CAS treated with ETV or CSF shunting. OBSERVATIONS: The authors reviewed records at their institution from 1999 to 2024, identifying 10 patients initially diagnosed with presumed idiopathic CAS and later found to have underlying TG. Of these, 7 were younger than 1 year of age at hydrocephalus presentation. The median time from CAS to glioma diagnosis was 13 months. Reasons for repeat imaging that identified glioma included postoperative surveillance and recurrent hydrocephalus. Five (50%) lesions grew over follow-up, and 2 required chemotherapy. LESSONS: The authors describe the eventual emergence of TG as a probable cause of hydrocephalus in a cohort of patients initially diagnosed with CAS. As most of these cases were identified incidentally on interval imaging to evaluate adequate function of CSF diversion procedures, follow-up imaging to evaluate for tectal expansion should be considered in children, particularly infants, with a new diagnosis of idiopathic CAS. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24695.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Floquet-Engineered Materials and Systems: introduction to the feature issue

  Optical Materials Express · 2025-06-04

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  We introduce the feature issue of Optical Materials Express on Floquet-Engineered Materials and Systems.

  PublisherDOI

• Phase II study of axitinib in patients with <i>NF2</i>-related schwannomatosis and progressive vestibular schwannomas

  Neuro-Oncology Advances · 2025-01-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background: Axitinib is an oral multi-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and c-KIT. These represent a clinically and/or preclinically validated molecular targets in vestibular schwannoma (VS). Methods: -SWN) and at least one volumetrically measurable, progressive VS. Axitinib was given continuously in 28-day cycles for up to of 12 cycles. Primary endpoint was objective volumetric response rate to axitinib, hearing response was a secondary endpoint, along with validated quality of life assessments (NFTI-QOL). Results: Twelve patients were enrolled and 8 completed 12 cycles, including 2 pediatric patients. Ten patients were evaluated for the primary endpoint, defined as ≥ 20% decrease in VS volume, with 2 volumetric responses observed; both were reached after 3 cycles and sustained during treatment. The best volumetric response was -53.9% after 9 cycles. Three hearing responses were observed, one of which was sustained during treatment. All patients experienced drug-related toxicities, the most common were diarrhea, hematuria, and skin toxicity, not exceeding grade 2, as well as hypertension, not exceeding grade 3. NFTI-QOL scores remained stable or improved during treatment. Conclusions: Axitinib therapy targeting VEGFR, PDGFR and c-KIT is feasible in this population and associated with volumetric and hearing responses in a subset of patients. However, convenience of oral administration should be balanced with respect to efficacy and safety of axitinib in comparison with other molecular-targeted therapies, including intravenous bevacizumab.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Cabozantinib for neurofibromatosis type 1–related plexiform neurofibromas: a phase 2 trial

  UNC Libraries · 2025-10-10

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant T32HL007282

  NIH · $157k · 1988

• NIH Grant R01HL024585

  NIH · $2.6M · 2002

• NIH Grant R01HL034280

  NIH · $1.4M · 1993

Frequent coauthors

• Jonathan L. Finlay

  The Ohio State University

  537 shared

• Roger J. Packer

  Children's National

  472 shared

• Scott R. Plotkin

  Massachusetts General Hospital

  381 shared

• Michael J. Fisher

  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

  347 shared

• Brigitte C. Widemann

  National Cancer Institute

  319 shared

• James M. Boyett

  287 shared

• Srivandana Akshintala

  242 shared

• Jaishri O. Blakeley

  242 shared

Labs

• Health Tech HubPI

Education

• MD

  Harvard Medical School

  1969