Jeffrey S. Wefel, PhD, ABPP - Neuro-Oncology - Faculty

'	Jeffrey S. Wefel, PhD, ABPP

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Associate Professor, Department of Neuro-Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Chief Ad Interim, Section of Neuropsychology, Department of Neuro-Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

Dr. Wefel is a board certified neuropsychologist, Associate Professor, and ad interim Neuropsychology Section Chief in the Department of Neuro-Oncology. He maintains an active consultation-liaison service where he conducts comprehensive neuropsychological assessments, presurgical fMRI of higher order cognitive function for neurosurgical planning, and offers interventions to adult cancer patients suffering from the central nervous system effects of cancer, cancer treatment, or other illnesses. He provides clinical and research mentoring as a Program Supervisor within the Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellowship program and hold an appointment as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor in the Clinical Psychology graduate program at the University of Houston where he is involved in the training of Neuropsychology graduate students. Dr. Wefel's research activities seek to characterize the prevalence, pattern, course, risks, and biologic and neural substrates for the development of neurocognitive dysfunction associated with cancer and cancer therapies. Ultimately, this will lead to identification and testing of interventions to prevent and/or minimize cognitive dysfunction. He is the neurocognitive study chair on numerous cooperative group, industry sponsored and investigator initiated trials involving patients with breast cancer, brain tumor and brain metastasis, many of which integrate cognitive and neuroimaging outcomes as well as exploration of genetic moderators of cognitive and brain outcomes.

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education
2002	University of Houston, Houston, TX, PhD, Clinical Psychology
2000	University of Houston, Houston, TX, MA, Psychology
1994	Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN, BS, Psychology
Postgraduate Training
8/2002-12/2004	Fellow, Clinical Neuropsychology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Neuro-Oncology, Houston, TX
7/2001-7/2002	Intern, Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Chicago, IL

Board Certifications

11/2011

American Board of Professional Psychology, Board Certified in Clinical Neuropsychology

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Assistant Professor, Department of Neuro-Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 6/2006-8/2012

Other Appointments/Responsibilities

Member, National Brain Tumor Society, Steering Committee on Clinical Trials Endpoints, Houston, TX, 2012-present

Member, National Brain Tumor Society, Medical Advisory Board, NA, 2012-present

Member, NCI/CTEP Brain Metastasis in Breast Cancer Working Group, 2009-present

Member, Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Group, 2008-present

Founding and Steering Committee Member, International Cognition and Cancer Task Force, 2006-present

Consultantships

Scientific Advisory Board, NeuroCog Trials, 2011-present

Consultant, Geron Corporation, 2011-present

Subject Matter Expert Reviewer, Lance Armstrong Foundation, 2011

Consultant, Eli Lilly, 2010-present

Consultant, Genentech, Inc., 2009-present

Consultant, F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., 2009-present

Institutional Committee Activities

Alternate Member, Gliogene Biospecimen Utilization Committee, 8/2012-present

Member, Survivorship Research Advisory Workgroup, 6/2012-present

Member, Faculty Senate, 9/2010-present

Alternate Member, Credentials Committee of The Medical Staff, 9/2010-present

Member, Cancer Survivorship Psychosocial Research Work Team, 2/2007-present

Honors and Awards

2004-2006	National Institutes of Health Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program
2003	Muriel D. Lezak Research Award, The Houston Neuropsychological Society
2002	Muriel D. Lezak Research Award, The Houston Neuropsychological Society
2001	Shell Foundation Graduate Scholarship, University of Houston
1996	Stella E. Cullen Scholarship, University of Houston

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology
Member, 2012-present

American Society of Clinical Oncology
Member, 2009-present

Houston Neuropsychological Society, Houston, TX
Member, 2004-present

International Cognition and Cancer Taskforce - Founding Steering Committee
Member, 2000-present

International Neuropsychological Society
Member, 1996-present

Society for Neuro-Oncology
Member, 2008-present

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1.	Wefel JS, Lenzi R, Theriault RL, Davis RN, Meyers CA. The cognitive sequelae of standard-dose adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast carcinoma: results of a prospective, randomized, longitudinal trial. Cancer 100(11):2292-9, 6/2004. PMID: 15160331.
2.	Wefel JS, Lenzi R, Theriault R, Buzdar AU, Cruickshank S, Meyers CA. 'Chemobrain' in breast carcinoma?: a prologue. Cancer 101(3):466-75, 8/2004. PMID: 15274059.
3.	Atchison TA, Sanders A, Struchen M, Roebuck T, Wefel JS, High W, Contant C. Relationship between neuropsychological test performance and productivity at 1-year following traumatic brain injury. Clin Neuropsychol 18(2):249-265, 2004. PMID: 15587672.
4.	Chang EL, Wefel JS, Maor MH, Hassenbusch SJ, 3rd, Mahajan A, Lang FF, Woo SY, Mathews LA, Allen PK, Shiu AS, Meyers CA. A pilot study of neurocognitive function in patients with one to three new brain metastases initially treated with stereotactic radiosurgery alone. Neurosurgery 60(2):277-83; discussion 283-4, 2/2007. PMID: 17290178.
5.	Mittendorf EA, Wefel JS, Meyers CA, Shapiro SE, Doherty DB, Lee JE, Evans DB, Perrier ND. Improvement of sleep disturbance and neurocognitive function after parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Endocr Pract 13(4):338-44, Jul-Aug, 7/2007. PMID: 17669708.
6.	Groves MD, Glantz MJ, Chamberlain MC, Baumgartner KE, Conrad CA, Hsu S, Wefel JS, Gilbert MR, Ictech S, Hunter KU, Forman AD, Puduvalli VK, Colman H, Hess KR, Yung WK. A multicenter Phase II trial of intrathecal topotecan in patients with meningeal malignancies. Neuro Oncol 10(2):208-15, 4/2008. e-Pub 3/2008. PMCID: PMC2613823.
7.	Vardy J, Wefel JS, Ahles T, Tannock IF, Schagen SB. Cancer and cancer-therapy related cognitive dysfunction: an international perspective from the Venice cognitive workshop. Ann Oncol 19(4):623-629, 4/2008. e-Pub 10/2007. PMID: 17974553.
8.	Benge JF, Perrier ND, Massman PJ, Meyers CA, Kayl AE, Wefel JS. Cognitive and Affective Sequelae of Primary Hyperparathyroidism and Early Response to Parathyroidectomy. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 15(6):1002-11, 11/2009. e-Pub 10/2009. PMID: 19807940.
9.	Friedman MA, Fernandez M, Wefel JS, Myszka KA, Champlin RE, Meyers CA. Course of Cognitive Decline in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Within-subjects Design. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 24(7):689-98, 11/2009. e-Pub 9/2009. PMID: 19767298.
10.	Chang EL, Wefel JS, Hess KR, Allen PK, Lang FF, Kornguth DG, Arbuckle RB, Swint JM, Shiu AS, Maor MH, Meyers CA. Neurocognition in patients with brain metastases treated with radiosurgery or radiosurgery plus whole-brain irradiation: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol 10(11):1037-44, 11/2009. e-Pub 10/2009. PMID: 19801201.
11.	Perrier ND, Balachandran D, Wefel JS, Jimenez C, Busaidy N, Morris GS, Dong W, Jackson E, Weaver S, Gantela S, Evans DB, Grubbs EG, Lee JE. Prospective, randomized, controlled trial of parathyroidectomy versus observation in patients with "asymptomatic" primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgery 146(6):1116-22, 12/2009. e-Pub 10/2009. PMID: 19879613.
12.	Wefel JS, Saleeba AK, Buzdar AU, Meyers CA. Acute and late onset cognitive dysfunction associated with chemotherapy in women with breast cancer. Cancer 116(14):3348-56, 7/2010. PMID: 20564075.
13.	Wefel JS, Vidrine DJ, Veramonti TL, Meyers CA, Marani SK, Hoekstra HJ, Hoekstra-Weebers JE, Shahani L, Gritz ER. Cognitive Impairment in Men with Testicular Cancer Prior to Adjuvant Therapy. Cancer 117(1):190-6, 1/2011. e-Pub 8/2010. PMID: 20737560.
14.	Reardon DA, Galanis E, DeGroot JF, Cloughesy TF, Wefel JS, Lamborn KR, Lassman AB, Gilbert MR, Sampson JH, Wick W, Chamberlain MC, Macdonald DR, Mehta MP, Vogelbaum MA, Chang SM, Van den Bent MJ, Wen PY. Clinical trial end points for high-grade glioma: the evolving landscape. Neuro Oncol 13(3):353-61, 3/2011. e-Pub 2/2011. PMCID: PMC3064608.
15.	Levin VA, Bidaut L, Hou P, Kumar AJ, Wefel JS, Bekele BN, Prabhu S, Loghin M, Gilbert MR, Jackson EF. Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Bevacizumab Therapy for Radiation Necrosis of the Central Nervous System. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 79(5):1487-95, 4/2011. e-Pub 4/2010. PMCID: PMC2908725.
16.	Wefel JS, Cloughesy T, Zazzali JL, Zheng M, Prados M, Wen PY, Mikkelsen T, Schiff D, Abrey LE, Yung WK, Paleologos N, Nicholas MK, Jensen R, Vredenburgh J, Das A, Friedman HS. Neurocognitive function in patients with recurrent glioblastoma treated with bevacizumab. Neuro Oncol 13(6):660-8, 6/2011. e-Pub 5/2011. PMCID: PMC3107095.
17.	van den Bent MJ, Wefel JS, Schiff D, Taphoorn MJ, Jaeckle K, Junck L, Armstrong T, Choucair A, Waldman AD, Gorlia T, Chamberlain M, Baumert BG, Vogelbaum MA, Macdonald DR, Reardon DA, Wen PY, Chang SM, Jacobs AH. Response assessment in neuro-oncology (a report of the RANO group): assessment of outcome in trials of diffuse low-grade gliomas. Lancet Oncol 12(6):583-93, 6/2011. e-Pub 4/2011. PMID: 21474379.
18.	Wefel JS, Vardy J, Ahles T, Schagen SB. International Cognition and Cancer Task Force recommendations to harmonise studies of cognitive function in patients with cancer. Lancet Oncol 12(7):703-8, 7/2011. e-Pub 2/2011. PMID: 21354373.
19.	Wu AS, Witgert ME, Lang FF, Xiao L, Bekele BN, Meyers CA, Ferson D, Wefel JS. Neurocognitive Function Before and After Surgery for Insular Gliomas. J Neurosurg 115(6):1115-25, 12/2011. e-Pub 9/2011. PMID: 21905800.
20.	Gehring K, Patwardhan SY, Collins R, Groves MD, Etzel CJ, Meyers CA, Wefel JS. A randomized trial on the efficacy of methylphenidate and modafinil for improving cognitive functioning and symptoms in patients with a primary brain tumor. J Neurooncol 107(1):165-74, 3/2012. e-Pub 10/2/2011. PMID: 21964738.
21.	Armstrong TS, Wefel JS, Gning I, Acquaye A, Vera-Bolanos E, Gilbert MR, Cleeland CS, Mendoza T. Congruence of Primary BrainTumor Patient and Caregiver Symptom Report. Cancer 118(20):5026-37, 10/2012. e-Pub 3/2012. PMID: 22415423.
22.	Wefel JS, Schagen SB. Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Dysfunction. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 12(3):267-75, 6/2012. e-Pub 3/2012. PMID: 22453825.
23.	Schapiro R, Ferson D, Prabhu SS, Tummula S, Wefel J, Rao G. A Technique for Mapping Cortical Areas Associated with Speech Arrest. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 90(2). e-Pub 3/2012. PMID: 22398728.
24.	Johnson DR, Sawyer AM, Meyers CA, O'Neill BP, Wefel JS. Early Measures of Cognitive Function Predict Survival in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 14(6):808-16, 6/2012. e-Pub 4/16/2012. PMCID: PMC3367851.
Invited Articles
1.	Dietrich J, Monje M, Wefel J, Meyers C. Clinical patterns and biological correlates of cognitive dysfunction associated with cancer therapy. Oncologist 13(12):1285-1295, 12/2008. e-Pub 11/2008. PMID: 19019972.
2.	Wefel JS, Witgert ME, Meyers CA. Neuropsychological sequelae of non-central nervous system cancer and cancer therapy. Neuropsychol Rev 18(2):121-31, 6/2008. e-Pub 4/2008. PMID: 18415683.
3.	Kayl AE, Wefel JS, Meyers CA. Chemotherapy and cognition: effects, potential mechanisms, and management. Am J Ther 13(4):362-9, Jul-Aug, 7/2006. PMID: 16858172.
4.	Wefel JS, Kayl AE, Meyers CA. Neuropsychological dysfunction associated with cancer and cancer therapies: a conceptual review of an emerging target. Br J Cancer 90(9):1691-6, 5/2004. PMID: 15150608.
Editorials
1.	Wefel JS Meyers CA. Cancer as a risk factor for dementia: a house built on shifting sand. J Natl Cancer Inst 97(11):788-9, 6/2005. PMID: 15928294.
2.	Meyers CA, Wefel JS. The use of the mini-mental state examination to assess cognitive functioning in cancer trials: no ifs, ands, buts, or sensitivity. J Clin Oncol 21:3557-8, 10/2003. PMID: 12913103.
Book Chapters
1.	Wefel JS, Armstrong TA, Kohli S. Neuropsychological Function, Symptom Measurement and Quality of Life in Brain Tumor Patients. In: Primary CNS Tumors: Pathogenesis and Therapy. Ed(s) Norden A, Reardon D, Wen P. Humana Press/Springer: New York, NY. In Press.
2.	Witgert ME, Wefel JS. The Neuropsychology of Oncology. In: Clinical Neuropsychology: A Pocket Handbook for Assessment, 3rd. Ed(s) MW Parsons, TA Hammeke. APA: Washington DC. In Press.
3.	Witgert ME, Wefel JS. Neuropsychological Assessment of Older Adults with a History of Cancer. In: Handbook on the Neuropsychology of Aging and Dementia. Ed(s) L Ravdin, H Katzen. Springer: New York, 443-454, 2013.
4.	Meyers CA, Wefel JS. Cognitive Dysfunction. In: Cancer Symptom Science. Ed(s) Cleeland CS, Dunn AJ, Fisch MJ. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK, 51-59, 2011.
5.	Witgert ME, Wefel JS. Neurobehavioral Side Effects of Cancer and Cancer Therapy. In: MD Anderson Manual of Psychosocial Oncology. Ed(s) J Duffy, A Valentine. McGraw-Hill: New York, 179-188, 2011.
6.	Brown PD, Laack NN, Wefel JS. Neurocognitive Effects. In: DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practices of Oncology, 9th. Ed(s) DeVita VT, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins: Philadelphia, PA, 2011.
7.	Wefel JS, Collins RL, Kayl AE. Chemotherapy and Biological Response Modifier-Related Cognitive Dysfunction. In: Cognition and Cancer. Ed(s) CA Meyers, JR Perry. Cambridge University Press: New York, 2009.
8.	Smith JA, Wefel JS. Neurocognitive Testing in Clinical Trials. In: Cognition and Cancer. Ed(s) Meyers CA, Perry JR. Cambridge University Press: New York, 2009.
9.	Kayl AE, Collins RL, Wefel JS. Neuropsychological Assessment of Adults with Cancer. In: Cognition and Cancer. Ed(s) CA Meyers, JR Perry. Cambridge University Press: New York, 2009.
10.	Meyers CA, Wefel JS. Quality of Life. In: Neuro-Oncology: The Essentials, 2nd Edition. M Bernstein, MS Berger: New York, 2008.
11.	Burton AW, Veramonti TL, Phan PC, Wefel JS,. Symptom Management for Patients with Brain Tumors: Improving Quality of Life. In: MD Anderson Cancer Center Series: Tumors of the Brain and Spine. Ed(s) F. DeMonte, I. McCutheon, A. Mahajan & M. Gilbert. Springer: New York, 2007.
12.	Wefel JS Janus T. Neurology and Neuropsychology in Oncology. In: Principles and Practice of Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychology. P.M. Gordon Associates, Inc, 2003.

Grant & Contract Support

Title:	Meditation for the Treatment of Cognitive Dysfunction After Chemotherapy
Funding Source:	NIH/NCI
Role:	Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator:	L. Cohen
Duration:	4/1/2013 - 3/31/2017

Title:	Multimodal MRI Biomarker of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer
Funding Source:	NIH/NCI
Role:	Principal Investigator
Duration:	9/27/2012 - 6/30/2017

Title:	A Brain Plasticity Based Computerized Intervention to Treat Attention and Memory Problems in Adult Brain Tumor Survivors, UTMDACC Cancer Survivorship Research Seed Money Grants
Funding Source:	UTMDACC Cancer Survivorship Research Seed Money Grants
Role:	Principal Investigator
Duration:	5/1/2012 - 4/30/2014

Title:	Phase II/III Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial Comparing Adjuvant Temozolomide and Ipilimumab (IND #10200) to Adjuvant Temozolomide and Placebo in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma or Gliosarcoma after Successful Completion of Concurrent Radiation and Temozolomide
Funding Source:	Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
Role:	Neurocognitive PI
Duration:	2012 - 2015

Title:	Effects of Meditation on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Cancer
Funding Source:	UTMDACC Sister Institution Network Fund
Role:	Co-Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator:	Lorenzo Cohen
Duration:	9/1/2011 - 8/31/2013

Title:	A Phase III, Multicenter, Open-Label Study Evaluating GRN1005 Alone or in Combination with Trastuzumab in Breast Cancer Patients with Brain Metastases
Funding Source:	Geron
Role:	Neurocognitive PI
Duration:	6/11/2011 - present

Title:	A Neurocognitive substudy of BO21990, a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, multicenter Phase III trial of bevacizumab, temozolomide and radiotherapy, followed by bevacizumab and temozolomide versus placebo, temozolomide and radiotherapy followed by placebo and temozolomide in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma
Funding Source:	F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
Role:	Neurocognitive PI
Duration:	2/1/2010 - 6/30/2014

Title:	Phase 1b/2a Study Combining LY2157299 with Standard Temozolomide-based Radiochemotherapy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Malignant Glioma
Funding Source:	Eli Lilly
Role:	Neurocognitive PI
Duration:	2010 - present

Title:	Phase III double blind placebo controlled trial of conventional concurrent chemoradiation and adjuvant temozolomide plus bevacizumab versus conventional concurrent chemoradiation and adjuvant temozolomide in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma
Funding Source:	RTOG/Genentech
Role:	Neurocognitive PI
Duration:	4/15/2009 - 4/14/2011

Title:	SPORE in Brain Cancer Project 4: Genetic modulation of cognitive function and outcomes in glioblastoma patients
Funding Source:	NIH/NCI
Role:	Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator:	WKA Yung
Duration:	3/1/2008 - 2/28/2013

Title:	Gauging impact of treatment on symptoms, health related quality of life and neurocognitive function in patients with primary brain tumors
Funding Source:	ABCC/The Tug McGraw Foundation/Schering-Plough
Role:	Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator:	Terri Armstrong
Duration:	7/24/2006 - 7/24/2011

Last updated: 3/11/2013