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Theresa M. Busch, Ph.D.
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Research Professor of Radiation Oncology
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Education Officer, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania
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Co-director, Radiobiology and Imaging Program, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania
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Executive Leadership Team, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania
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Vice Chair of Biology Research, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Radiation Oncology
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Department: Radiation Oncology
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Graduate Group Affiliations
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Contact information
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Radiation Biology Division
28 Department of Radiation Oncology
22 University of Pennsylvania
3c Smilow Center for Translational Research, Room 8-126
4a 3400 Civic Center Blvd., Bldg. 421
Philadelphia, PA 19104-5156
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28 Department of Radiation Oncology
22 University of Pennsylvania
3c Smilow Center for Translational Research, Room 8-126
4a 3400 Civic Center Blvd., Bldg. 421
Philadelphia, PA 19104-5156
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Office: 215-573-3168
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Publications
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Education:
21 9 B.S. 17 (Biophysics) c
2f University of Scranton, 1993.
21 a Ph.D. 17 (Biophysics) c
6f University of New York at Buffalo, Roswell Park Cancer Institute Division, Buffalo, NY, 1998.
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Permanent link21 9 B.S. 17 (Biophysics) c
2f University of Scranton, 1993.
21 a Ph.D. 17 (Biophysics) c
6f University of New York at Buffalo, Roswell Park Cancer Institute Division, Buffalo, NY, 1998.
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240 Our research spans from murine models to large animals and human clinical trials, where we investigate how the pre-existing and therapy-altered tumor microenvironment shapes therapeutic outcomes. Our recent work includes the investigation of immune checkpoint blockade to reverse the immunosuppression that accompanies surgery in tumors to be subsequently treated with photodynamic therapy. Also, our recent work in FLASH radiotherapy highlights its potential to spare normal tissue through its ultra-high dose rates, opening new possibilities in proton radiotherapy.
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172 By integrating physiologic, structural, and immunologic insights—including studies of tumor and normal tissue vasculature, blood flow dynamics, and treatment-induced hypoxia—we aim to expand the therapeutic window of cancer treatment. Our goal is to translate mechanistic understanding into more effective, personalized, and less toxic therapeutic strategies.
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Description of Research Expertise
1ad With over 25 years of experience in translational cancer research, our lab is dedicated to understanding and manipulating the tumor microenvironment to improve cancer therapy. We explore how both ionizing (photons, protons) and nonionizing (photodynamic therapy) radiation modalities impact tumor and normal tissue responses, with a particular focus on vascular function, tissue oxygenation, and immune dynamics.8
240 Our research spans from murine models to large animals and human clinical trials, where we investigate how the pre-existing and therapy-altered tumor microenvironment shapes therapeutic outcomes. Our recent work includes the investigation of immune checkpoint blockade to reverse the immunosuppression that accompanies surgery in tumors to be subsequently treated with photodynamic therapy. Also, our recent work in FLASH radiotherapy highlights its potential to spare normal tissue through its ultra-high dose rates, opening new possibilities in proton radiotherapy.
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172 By integrating physiologic, structural, and immunologic insights—including studies of tumor and normal tissue vasculature, blood flow dynamics, and treatment-induced hypoxia—we aim to expand the therapeutic window of cancer treatment. Our goal is to translate mechanistic understanding into more effective, personalized, and less toxic therapeutic strategies.
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14a Sun H, Kim MM, Ong YH, Dimofte A, Singhal S, Busch TM, Cengel KA, Zhu TC.: Comprehensive reanalysis of light fluence distribution in pleural photodynamic therapy using standardized anatomical coordinates. Photochem Photobiol 101(5): 1165-1176, Sep-Oct 2025.
6c Dennis Sourvanos, Timothy C. Zhu, Andreea Dimofte, Weibing Yang, 39 Theresa M. Busch, John N. Lukens, Joseph P. Fiorellini ef : Advancing Dosimetry for Oral Mucositis: Dosimetric Analysis of a Dual-Wavelength (660nm & 850nm) PBM LED Device 2025 World Congress of the International Photodynamic Association. Jun 2025 Notes: Poster.
108 Wang H, Yao L, Zhong L, Fang J, He Q, Busch TM, Cengel K, Qin L.: Marrow adipogenic lineage precursors (MALPs) facilitate bone marrow recovery after chemotherapy. Bone 195: 117446, June 2025.
1ce Cramer GM, Davis RW 4th, Papasavvas E, Klampatsa A, Miller JM, Carter S, Ikpe R, Yuan M, Widura S, Majumdar RS, McNulty S, Putt M, Kossenkov AV, Montaner LJ, Singhal S, Moon EK, Albelda SM, Cengel KA, Busch TM.: PD-1 Blockade Mitigates Surgery-Induced Immunosuppression and Increases the Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy for Pleural Mesothelioma. Cancer Res Commun 5(5): 841-856, May 2025.
104 Christopher Lawson, Emily Gawrys-Oakley, Sarah Chamberlain, Alan Hutson, Nathaniel Ivanick, Keith Cengel, Theresa Busch and Gal Shafirstein: Intraoperative Light Transmission: a Translational Dosimetric Marker 39 for Tumor Response in Interstitial Photodynamic Therapy 59 American Association for Cancer Research Apr 2025 Notes: Poster.
1f9 Verginadis II, Velalopoulou A, Kim MM, Kim K, Paraskevaidis I, Bell B, Oliaei Motlagh SA, Karaj A, Banerjee E, Finesso G, Assenmacher CA, Radaelli E, Lu J, Lin Y, Putt ME, Diffenderfer ES, Guha C, Qin L, Metz JM, Maity A, Cengel KA, Koumenis C, Busch TM.: FLASH proton reirradiation, with or without hypofractionation, reduces chronic toxicity in the normal murine intestine, skin, and bone. Radiother Oncol 205: 110744, April 2025.
1f1 Dennis Sourvanos, Timothy Zhu, Andreea Dimofte, Theresa Busch, Weibing Yang, Praveen Arany, James Carroll, Todd Schoenbaum, Joseph Fiorellini: Evaluating the Impact of Soft Tissue Flaps on Red and Near-infrared Light Transmission in Porcine Cortical Bone: a Preliminary Study for Dental Applications. International Society for Optics and Photonics, Photonics West, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics Jan 2025 Notes: Oral.
1a2 Weibing Yang, Dennis Sourvanos, Andrea Dimofte, Theresa Busch, Praveen Arany, Todd Schoenbaum, Joseph Fiorellini, Timothy Zhu: Monte Carlo Simulation of Temperature Distribution for Skin Tissue During Photobiomodulation. International Society for Optics and Photonics, Photonics West, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics Jan 2025 Notes: Oral.
15e Madelyn Johnson, Hongjing Sun, Theresa Busch, Timothy Zhu: Determination of Optimal Photofrin-mediated PDT Treatment Parameters for Long-tern Survival. International Society for Optics and Photonics, Photonics West, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics Jan 2025 Notes: Poster.
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Selected Publications
184 Anastasia Velalopoulou, Ilias V. Karagounis, Michele Kim, Seyyedeh Azar Oliaei Motlagh, Eric Diffenderfer, Amit Maity, Costas Koumenis, Keith Cengel, Theresa Busch: Attenuation of Chronic Radiation Toxicities with Fractioned Proton FLASH Radiotherapy. FLASH Radiotherapy and Particle Treatment Dec 2025 Notes: Oral.14a Sun H, Kim MM, Ong YH, Dimofte A, Singhal S, Busch TM, Cengel KA, Zhu TC.: Comprehensive reanalysis of light fluence distribution in pleural photodynamic therapy using standardized anatomical coordinates. Photochem Photobiol 101(5): 1165-1176, Sep-Oct 2025.
6c Dennis Sourvanos, Timothy C. Zhu, Andreea Dimofte, Weibing Yang, 39 Theresa M. Busch, John N. Lukens, Joseph P. Fiorellini ef : Advancing Dosimetry for Oral Mucositis: Dosimetric Analysis of a Dual-Wavelength (660nm & 850nm) PBM LED Device 2025 World Congress of the International Photodynamic Association. Jun 2025 Notes: Poster.
108 Wang H, Yao L, Zhong L, Fang J, He Q, Busch TM, Cengel K, Qin L.: Marrow adipogenic lineage precursors (MALPs) facilitate bone marrow recovery after chemotherapy. Bone 195: 117446, June 2025.
1ce Cramer GM, Davis RW 4th, Papasavvas E, Klampatsa A, Miller JM, Carter S, Ikpe R, Yuan M, Widura S, Majumdar RS, McNulty S, Putt M, Kossenkov AV, Montaner LJ, Singhal S, Moon EK, Albelda SM, Cengel KA, Busch TM.: PD-1 Blockade Mitigates Surgery-Induced Immunosuppression and Increases the Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy for Pleural Mesothelioma. Cancer Res Commun 5(5): 841-856, May 2025.
104 Christopher Lawson, Emily Gawrys-Oakley, Sarah Chamberlain, Alan Hutson, Nathaniel Ivanick, Keith Cengel, Theresa Busch and Gal Shafirstein: Intraoperative Light Transmission: a Translational Dosimetric Marker 39 for Tumor Response in Interstitial Photodynamic Therapy 59 American Association for Cancer Research Apr 2025 Notes: Poster.
1f9 Verginadis II, Velalopoulou A, Kim MM, Kim K, Paraskevaidis I, Bell B, Oliaei Motlagh SA, Karaj A, Banerjee E, Finesso G, Assenmacher CA, Radaelli E, Lu J, Lin Y, Putt ME, Diffenderfer ES, Guha C, Qin L, Metz JM, Maity A, Cengel KA, Koumenis C, Busch TM.: FLASH proton reirradiation, with or without hypofractionation, reduces chronic toxicity in the normal murine intestine, skin, and bone. Radiother Oncol 205: 110744, April 2025.
1f1 Dennis Sourvanos, Timothy Zhu, Andreea Dimofte, Theresa Busch, Weibing Yang, Praveen Arany, James Carroll, Todd Schoenbaum, Joseph Fiorellini: Evaluating the Impact of Soft Tissue Flaps on Red and Near-infrared Light Transmission in Porcine Cortical Bone: a Preliminary Study for Dental Applications. International Society for Optics and Photonics, Photonics West, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics Jan 2025 Notes: Oral.
1a2 Weibing Yang, Dennis Sourvanos, Andrea Dimofte, Theresa Busch, Praveen Arany, Todd Schoenbaum, Joseph Fiorellini, Timothy Zhu: Monte Carlo Simulation of Temperature Distribution for Skin Tissue During Photobiomodulation. International Society for Optics and Photonics, Photonics West, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics Jan 2025 Notes: Oral.
15e Madelyn Johnson, Hongjing Sun, Theresa Busch, Timothy Zhu: Determination of Optimal Photofrin-mediated PDT Treatment Parameters for Long-tern Survival. International Society for Optics and Photonics, Photonics West, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics Jan 2025 Notes: Poster.
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