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Nino C. Rainusso, MD

Location

Texas Medical Center

Specialty
Cancer
Phone: 832-822-4242
Fax: 832-825-1453
Email

ncrainuss@texaschildrens.org

Address

6701 Fannin St., Ste. 1510.15
Houston, TX 77030

Research Area

Nino C. Rainusso, MD

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine

Education

School Education Degree Year
Baylor College of Medicine Fellowship Pediatric Sarcoma/Solid Tumors 2010
Baylor College of Medicine Fellowship Pediatric Hematology/Oncology 2009
University of Illinois at Chicago Residency Pediatrics 2006
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Medical School Doctor of Medicine 2000

About

Dr. Nino Rainusso, is an assistant professor of pediatrics – hematology/oncology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center. He is a board-certified pediatric hematologist-oncologist specializing in the care of children with sarcomas.

Dr. Rainusso obtained his M.D. degree from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Lima, Peru) in 2000. He completed his residency in pediatrics at University of Illinois at Chicago and a fellowship in pediatric hematology-oncology as part of the combined Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital program. In addition, of the three years of pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship, he completed one year specialized fellowship focusing on pediatric sarcomas.

Dr. Nino Rainusso is a member of the Bone Tumor Program and the Musculoskeletal Tumor Clinic Team at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center. His clinical interests include: osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma

Board Certifications
American Board of Pediatrics
American Board of Pediatrics – Hematology/Oncology

Organizations

Organization Name Role
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Member
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Member
American Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (ASPHO) Member
Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) Member

Research Statement

His research focuses in the role of cancer stem cells in the development and progression of pediatric sarcomas. Dr. Rainusso has been awarded numerous honors for his research, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Young Investigator Award (2009). He is a St. Baldrick’s Scholar and has received funding from the Snowdrop Foundation, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Children’s Cancer Research Fund to support his work.

Dr. Nino Rainusso is conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Jeffrey Rosen in close collaboration with Dr. Jason Yustein. The goal of his translational research is to isolate, molecularly characterize and target cancer stem cells in pediatric sarcomas. Cancer stem cells are characterized by their self-renewal, quiescence and increased migratory capacities, which are key inherent features for tumor initiation and metastatic progression. Moreover, cancer stem cells are particularly resistant to the effects of some anticancer drugs and radiation therapy. Therefore, the combination of conventional treatments with the development of novel cancer stem cell-specific therapies would significantly impact patient treatment outcomes.

Dr. Rainusso is using novel genetically engineered mouse models of osteosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, the two most common sarcomas in children, to isolate cancer stem cells. Additionally, he plans to utilize a patient-derived tumor xenograft transplantation (PDTX) model to study cancer stem biology in sarcomas and to evaluate tumor response using different anti-cancer drugs.

His research interests include: Identification and complete genomic characterization of cancer stem cells in pediatric sarcomas.

Awards & Honors

2019     Norton Rose Fulbright Faculty Excellence Award for Development of Enduring Materials, Baylor College of Medicine

Language

English, Spanish



* Texas Children's Hospital physicians' licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician's office and were not verified by Texas Children's Hospital.