Anat Erdreich-Epstein

Anat Erdreich-Epstein, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Her research focuses on pediatric brain tumors, particularly medulloblastoma, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT), and rhabdoid tumors. She leads the Erdreich-Epstein Lab, investigating molecular mechanisms underlying tumor growth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Her work integrates genomic profiling, preclinical drug testing, and translational research to identify novel therapeutic targets and improve outcomes for children with CNS malignancies.

Research interests include:

• Molecular drivers of pediatric CNS tumors
• Development of targeted therapies
• Leptomeningeal dissemination mechanisms
• Drug resistance pathways
• Genetic associations in tumor development

Recent studies highlight her work on HDAC inhibitors for MYC-driven medulloblastoma, dual PI3K/BRD4 inhibitors for neuroblastoma, and the role of SMARCB1 mutations in rhabdoid tumors. Her lab also develops genetically engineered mouse models (e.g., BarTeL model) to study tumor biology. Collaborations with PIBBS (Programs in Biomedical and Biological Sciences) and clinical teams at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles enhance translational impact.