Advancing the Treatment of Central Nervous System Tumors
Neuro-oncology is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of tumors affecting the brain and spinal cord. Despite significant advances in neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and systemic therapies, central nervous system tumors remain among the greatest challenges in modern medicine.
Clinical practice and research are focused on improving outcomes for patients with gliomas, pediatric brain tumors, and lesions located within eloquent regions of the brain. Particular emphasis is placed on integrating advanced neuroimaging, intraoperative technologies, immunotherapy, and cellular therapies to maximize the extent of treatment while preserving neurological function and quality of life.
Research Focus
Connectome-Guided Glioma Surgery
Modern neuro-oncology increasingly incorporates structural and functional connectomics into surgical planning. Connectome-based brain mapping enables maximal safe tumor resection while preserving critical white matter pathways and higher neurological functions. Current research explores the role of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), tractography, and network analysis in optimizing surgical strategies and postoperative functional outcomes.
Advanced Intraoperative Diagnostics
Research focuses on the application of intraoperative spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and other emerging technologies for real-time identification of glioma margins. These approaches improve discrimination between neoplastic and healthy brain tissue, enhancing surgical precision and supporting intraoperative decision-making.
Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapy
Current projects investigate innovative therapeutic strategies for high-grade gliomas, including CAR-T cell therapy, cancer immunotherapy, and localized drug delivery using Convection-Enhanced Delivery (CED). These approaches aim to overcome the limitations of conventional therapies by delivering highly targeted treatment directly to tumor tissue while minimizing systemic toxicity.
Pediatric Neuro-Oncology
A major research interest involves pediatric central nervous system tumors, including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma/diffuse midline glioma (DIPG/DMG), medulloblastoma, and ependymoma. Research is directed toward developing novel therapeutic strategies for children with tumors that remain resistant to current standards of care.
Selected Publications
Disparities in Access to Optimal Glioma Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Tykocki T.
Future Oncology. 2026.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates disparities in access to optimal glioma care worldwide. The study examines how socioeconomic, organizational, and healthcare system factors influence treatment outcomes, highlighting substantial inequalities in access to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic modalities across different regions.
Connectome-guided Glioma Resection: A Systematic Review of White Matter Tract Preservation and Postoperative Neurocognition
Tykocki T., Rakasz Ł.
Neurosurgical Review. 2026.
This systematic review investigates the role of connectomics and DTI tractography in glioma surgery. The analysis demonstrates the growing importance of structural brain network mapping for preserving white matter pathways, postoperative cognitive function, and overall quality of life following tumor resection.
Intraoperative Spectroscopic and Mass Spectrometric Assessment of Glioma Margins: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Tykocki T., Rakasz Ł.
Cancers. 2026.
This meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of intraoperative spectroscopic and mass spectrometric techniques for identifying glioma margins. The findings indicate that these technologies improve the accuracy of tumor delineation and support real-time surgical decision-making, potentially increasing the extent of safe resection.
Timing and Benefit of Early Versus Delayed Reoperation in Recurrent Glioblastoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Survival and Functional Outcomes
Tykocki T., Rakasz Ł.
Medical Sciences. 2026.
This systematic review examines the impact of reoperation timing on survival and functional outcomes in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. The results suggest that carefully selected patients may benefit from appropriately timed repeat surgery, emphasizing the importance of individualized treatment strategies.
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy: An Emerging Frontier
Tykocki T.
World Neurosurgery. 2025.
This review summarizes current evidence regarding CAR-T cell therapy for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), one of the most aggressive pediatric brain tumors. It discusses the biological rationale, potential therapeutic targets, and early clinical experience supporting the development of cellular immunotherapy for pediatric neuro-oncology.
The Future of Neuro-Oncology
The future of neuro-oncology lies in the integration of advanced neuroimaging, molecular biology, artificial intelligence, and precision cellular therapies. Ongoing research aims to develop personalized treatment strategies that improve survival while preserving neurological function, cognitive performance, and quality of life. Translating scientific discoveries into clinical practice remains the central objective, with the ultimate goal of delivering safer, more effective, and more individualized care for patients with central nervous system tumors.