Experienced in Brain Stem Cancer

Dr. Melissa Burgess

Oncology | Hematology
University Of Pittsburgh Physicians
5230 Centre Ave, 
Pittsburgh, PA 
Offers Telehealth
17 Years of Experience
Experienced in Brain Stem Cancer
University Of Pittsburgh Physicians
5230 Centre Ave, 
Pittsburgh, PA 
OverviewInsuranceLocationsClinical ResearchSimilar Doctors

Overview

Melissa Burgess is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Burgess has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Brain Stem Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Liposarcoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Chondrosarcoma, and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

Her clinical research consists of co-authoring 38 peer reviewed articles and participating in 27 clinical trials. MediFind looks at clinical research from the past 15 years.

Graduate Year
2009
Specialties
Oncology
Hematology
Licenses
Internal Medicine in PA
Hospital Affiliations
Magee Womens Hospital Of Upmc Health System
Upmc Presbyterian Shadyside
Upmc St Margaret
Excela Health Latrobe Hospital
Upmc Mckeesport Hospital
Languages Spoken
English
Gender
Female

Insurance

Accepted insurance can change. Please verify directly with the provider.

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Accepted insurance plans:

Aetna
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO
Anthem BCBS
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO
Cigna
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • PPO
Community Health Choice
  • HMO
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • MEDICARE SNP
Gateway Health Plan
  • INSURANCE PLAN
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • MEDICARE SNP
  • OTHER MEDICARE PART D
Geisinger
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO
Highmark
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • PPO
Humana
  • HMO
  • INDEMNITY
  • POS
  • PPO
Managed Medicaid
  • OTHER MANAGED MEDICAID
Medicaid
  • OTHER MEDICAID
  • STATE MEDICAID
UnitedHealthcare
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • POS
  • PPO
UPMC
  • EPO
  • PPO
Wellcare
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • INSURANCE PLAN
  • MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
  • MEDICARE MAPD
  • MEDICARE PDP
  • MEDICARE SNP
  • MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
  • OTHER MEDICARE
  • OTHER MEDICARE PART D
View 8 Less Insurance Carriers -

Locations

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH PHYSICIANS
5230 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Other Locations
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH PHYSICIANS
200 Lothrop St, Muh 4 East, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH PHYSICIANS
300 Halket St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Additional Areas of Focus

Dr. Burgess has provided the following conditions as areas of focus. Please note that we may not have enough data to validate their experience in some of these conditions.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)

Clinical Research

Clinical research consists of overseeing clinical studies of patients undergoing new treatments and therapies, and publishing articles in peer reviewed medical journals. Providers who actively participate in clinical research are generally at the forefront of the fields and aware of the most up-to-date advances in treatments for their patients.

26 Clinical Trials

Pilot Trial of Nivolumab Plus Cabozantinib for Advanced Solid Tumors in Patients With HIV Infection
Pilot Trial of Nivolumab Plus Cabozantinib for Advanced Solid Tumors in Patients With HIV Infection
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: February 12, 2026
Intervention Type: Procedure, Drug, Biological
Study Drugs: Cabozantinib S-malate, Nivolumab
Study Phase: Phase 1
Phase 2 Study of Rogaratinib (BAY 1163877) in the Treatment of Patients With Sarcoma Harboring Alterations in Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) 1-4 and SDH-Deficient Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
Phase 2 Study of Rogaratinib (BAY 1163877) in the Treatment of Patients With Sarcoma Harboring Alterations in Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) 1-4 and SDH-Deficient Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: February 12, 2026
Intervention Type: Procedure, Drug
Study Drug: Rogaratinib
Study Phase: Phase 2
DART: Dual Anti-CTLA-4 and Anti-PD-1 Blockade in Rare Tumors
DART: Dual Anti-CTLA-4 and Anti-PD-1 Blockade in Rare Tumors
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: February 12, 2026
Intervention Type: Procedure, Biological
Study Drugs: Ipilimumab, Nivolumab
Study Phase: Phase 2
A Multicenter Phase II Trial of Paclitaxel With and Without Nivolumab in Taxane Naive, and Nivolumab and Cabozantinib in Taxane Pretreated Subjects With Angiosarcoma
A Multicenter Phase II Trial of Paclitaxel With and Without Nivolumab in Taxane Naive, and Nivolumab and Cabozantinib in Taxane Pretreated Subjects With Angiosarcoma
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: February 12, 2026
Intervention Type: Other, Procedure, Drug, Biological
Study Drugs: Cabozantinib-S-Malate, Nivolumab, Paclitaxel
Study Phase: Phase 2
A Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-controlled, Phase 2 Study of INBRX-109 in Unresectable or Metastatic Conventional Chondrosarcoma
A Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-controlled, Phase 2 Study of INBRX-109 in Unresectable or Metastatic Conventional Chondrosarcoma
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: January 09, 2026
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drug: INBRX-109
Study Phase: Phase 2
A Phase 2 Study of Belinostat and SGI-110 (Guadecitabine) or ASTX727 for the Treatment of Unresectable and Metastatic Conventional Chondrosarcoma
A Phase 2 Study of Belinostat and SGI-110 (Guadecitabine) or ASTX727 for the Treatment of Unresectable and Metastatic Conventional Chondrosarcoma
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: December 05, 2025
Intervention Type: Procedure, Drug
Study Phase: Phase 2
A Phase 2 Study of Anti-PD-L1 Antibody (Atezolizumab) in Chondrosarcoma and Clear Cell Sarcoma
A Phase 2 Study of Anti-PD-L1 Antibody (Atezolizumab) in Chondrosarcoma and Clear Cell Sarcoma
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: December 04, 2025
Intervention Type: Procedure, Drug
Study Drug: Atezolizumab
Study Phase: Phase 2
A Phase II Study of the PARP Inhibitor Olaparib in Combination With the DNA Damaging Agent Temozolomide for the Treatment of Advanced Uterine Leiomyosarcoma
A Phase II Study of the PARP Inhibitor Olaparib in Combination With the DNA Damaging Agent Temozolomide for the Treatment of Advanced Uterine Leiomyosarcoma
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: December 03, 2025
Intervention Type: Procedure, Drug
Study Drugs: Olaparib, Temozolomide
Study Phase: Phase 2
STAMP: Surgically Treated Adjuvant Merkel Cell Carcinoma With Pembrolizumab, a Phase III Trial
STAMP: Surgically Treated Adjuvant Merkel Cell Carcinoma With Pembrolizumab, a Phase III Trial
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: November 17, 2025
Intervention Type: Procedure, Other, Radiation, Biological
Study Drug: Pembrolizumab
Study Phase: Phase 3
A Phase 2 Study of Anti-PD-L1 Antibody (Atezolizumab) in Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma
A Phase 2 Study of Anti-PD-L1 Antibody (Atezolizumab) in Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: October 08, 2025
Intervention Type: Procedure, Biological, Drug
Study Drugs: Atezolizumab, Bevacizumab
Study Phase: Phase 2
A Phase Ib Trial of Neoadjuvant AMG 232 (KRT-232) Concurrent With Preoperative Radiotherapy in Wild-Type P53 Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS)
A Phase Ib Trial of Neoadjuvant AMG 232 (KRT-232) Concurrent With Preoperative Radiotherapy in Wild-Type P53 Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS)
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: September 23, 2025
Intervention Type: Drug, Radiation, Procedure
Study Drug: MDM2 Inhibitor KRT-232
Study Phase: Phase 1
A Multicenter, Open-Label, Phase I Study Evaluating the Safety and Tolerability of HMPL-306 in Subjects With Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors With IDH Mutations
A Multicenter, Open-Label, Phase I Study Evaluating the Safety and Tolerability of HMPL-306 in Subjects With Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors With IDH Mutations
Enrollment Status: Terminated
Publish Date: September 16, 2025
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drug: HMPL-306
Study Phase: Phase 1
A Phase II Study of Talimogene Laherparepvec Followed by Talimogene Laherparepvec + Nivolumab in Refractory T Cell and NK Cell Lymphomas, Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, and Other Rare Skin Tumors
A Phase II Study of Talimogene Laherparepvec Followed by Talimogene Laherparepvec + Nivolumab in Refractory T Cell and NK Cell Lymphomas, Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, and Other Rare Skin Tumors
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: September 03, 2025
Intervention Type: Biological, Procedure, Other
Study Drugs: Nivolumab, Talimogene Laherparevec
Study Phase: Phase 2
Master Protocol to Assess the Safety and Antitumor Activity of Genetically Engineered NY-ESO-1-Specific (c259) T Cells, Alone or in Combination With Other Agents, in HLA-A2+ Participants With NY-ESO-1 and/or LAGE-1a Positive Solid Tumors (IGNYTE-ESO)
Master Protocol to Assess the Safety and Antitumor Activity of Genetically Engineered NY-ESO-1-Specific (c259) T Cells, Alone or in Combination With Other Agents, in HLA-A2+ Participants With NY-ESO-1 and/or LAGE-1a Positive Solid Tumors (IGNYTE-ESO)
Enrollment Status: Active_not_recruiting
Publish Date: July 16, 2025
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drugs: Letetresgene Autoleucel, Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide
Study Phase: Phase 2
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Trial of Nirogacestat Versus Placebo in Adult Patients With Progressing Desmoid Tumors/Aggressive Fibromatosis (DT/AF)
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Trial of Nirogacestat Versus Placebo in Adult Patients With Progressing Desmoid Tumors/Aggressive Fibromatosis (DT/AF)
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: January 31, 2025
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drug: Nirogacestat Oral Tablet
Study Phase: Phase 3
A Non-Randomized, Open-Label, Phase 2 Study of Trametinib in Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma
A Non-Randomized, Open-Label, Phase 2 Study of Trametinib in Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: November 26, 2024
Intervention Type: Other, Drug
Study Drug: Trametinib
Study Phase: Phase 2
An Open-Label, Multicenter, Phase 1a/1b Study of Olaratumab (LY3012207) Plus Pembrolizumab (MK3475) in Patients With Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS) Who Have Failed Standard Treatments
An Open-Label, Multicenter, Phase 1a/1b Study of Olaratumab (LY3012207) Plus Pembrolizumab (MK3475) in Patients With Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS) Who Have Failed Standard Treatments
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: October 23, 2024
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drugs: Olaratumab, Pembrolizumab
Study Phase: Phase 1
A Phase III Study of AL3818 (Anlotinib, Catequentinib) Hydrochloride Monotherapy in Subjects With Metastatic or Advanced Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma, Leiomyosarcoma and Synovial Sarcoma
A Phase III Study of AL3818 (Anlotinib, Catequentinib) Hydrochloride Monotherapy in Subjects With Metastatic or Advanced Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma, Leiomyosarcoma and Synovial Sarcoma
Enrollment Status: Unknown
Publish Date: January 31, 2024
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drugs: Anlotinib, Decarbazine
Study Phase: Phase 3
A Phase II Study of MK-3475 in Patients With Advanced Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC)
A Phase II Study of MK-3475 in Patients With Advanced Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC)
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: July 05, 2023
Intervention Type: Other, Biological
Study Drug: Pembrolizumab
Study Phase: Phase 2
A Phase 2-3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind Study of Selinexor (KPT-330) Versus Placebo in Patients With Advanced Unresectable Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma (DDLS)
A Phase 2-3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind Study of Selinexor (KPT-330) Versus Placebo in Patients With Advanced Unresectable Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma (DDLS)
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: January 23, 2023
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drug: Selinexor
Study Phase: Phase 2/Phase 3
An International, Multicenter, Open-label, Randomized, Phase 3 Study of BLU-285 vs Regorafenib in Patients With Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
An International, Multicenter, Open-label, Randomized, Phase 3 Study of BLU-285 vs Regorafenib in Patients With Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: October 06, 2022
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drugs: Avapritinib, Regorafenib
Study Phase: Phase 3
Phase 1b/2 Study of Vorinostat in Combination With Gemcitabine and Docetaxel in Advanced Sarcoma
Phase 1b/2 Study of Vorinostat in Combination With Gemcitabine and Docetaxel in Advanced Sarcoma
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: September 21, 2022
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drugs: Docetaxel, Gemcitabine, Vorinostat, Pegfilgrastim
Study Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
A Phase I/Randomized Phase II Study of MLN0128 (TAK-228) VS. Pazopanib in Patients With Locally Advanced/Unresectable and/or Metastatic Sarcoma
A Phase I/Randomized Phase II Study of MLN0128 (TAK-228) VS. Pazopanib in Patients With Locally Advanced/Unresectable and/or Metastatic Sarcoma
Enrollment Status: Terminated
Publish Date: August 23, 2022
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drugs: Pazopanib, Pazopanib Hydrochloride, Sapanisertib
Study Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
A Phase I/II Study of IMCnyeso, HLA- A*0201-Restricted, NY-ESO-1- and LAGE-1A-specific Soluble T Cell Receptor and Anti-CD3 Bispecific Molecule, in HLA-A*0201 Positive Patients With Advanced NY-ESO-1 and/or LAGE - 1A Positive Cancer
A Phase I/II Study of IMCnyeso, HLA- A*0201-Restricted, NY-ESO-1- and LAGE-1A-specific Soluble T Cell Receptor and Anti-CD3 Bispecific Molecule, in HLA-A*0201 Positive Patients With Advanced NY-ESO-1 and/or LAGE - 1A Positive Cancer
Enrollment Status: Terminated
Publish Date: March 11, 2022
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
In Situ, Autologous Therapeutic Vaccination Against Solid Cancers With Intratumoral Hiltonol® (Poly-ICLC): An Adaptive, Multicenter, Phase II Clinical Study
In Situ, Autologous Therapeutic Vaccination Against Solid Cancers With Intratumoral Hiltonol® (Poly-ICLC): An Adaptive, Multicenter, Phase II Clinical Study
Enrollment Status: Completed
Publish Date: December 17, 2020
Intervention Type: Biological
Study Phase: Phase 2
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of CMB305 in Unresectable Locally-advanced or Metastatic NY-ESO-1+ Synovial Sarcoma Participants Following First Line Systemic Anti-cancer Therapy (V943-003, IMDZ-04-1702)
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of CMB305 in Unresectable Locally-advanced or Metastatic NY-ESO-1+ Synovial Sarcoma Participants Following First Line Systemic Anti-cancer Therapy (V943-003, IMDZ-04-1702)
Enrollment Status: Terminated
Publish Date: April 16, 2020
Intervention Type: Biological, Other
Study Phase: Phase 3
View 25 Less Clinical Trials

37 Total Publications

ATRX loss in sarcomas is associated with dysregulated gene and transposable element expression, loss of DNA methylation, and worse survival.
ATRX loss in sarcomas is associated with dysregulated gene and transposable element expression, loss of DNA methylation, and worse survival.
Journal: medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences
Published: December 03, 2025
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Areas of Expertise

MediFind evaluates expertise by pulling from factors such as number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials, speaking at industry conferences, prescribing and referral patterns, and strength of connections with other experts in their field.

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