Giselle Saulnier-Sholler, M.D., M.Sc.

Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Penn State Health Children’s Hospital
Director, Pediatric Oncology Research, Penn State College of Medicine
Professor, Department of Pediatrics & Pharmacology
Four Diamonds Endowed Chair for Pediatric Oncology Research

PENN STATE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

500 University Drive
Hershey, PA 17033

Support Research

Research Focus

Dr. Saulnier‑Sholler leads efforts to improve outcomes for children with neuroblastoma, especially high‑risk and relapsed disease, through clinical and translational research. Her work has been pivotal in developing precision medicine approaches, using molecular sequencing and tumor boards to guide therapy. A major breakthrough under her leadership was the research on DFMO (difluoromethylornithine) as maintenance therapy, which recently received FDA approval to reduce relapse in high‑risk neuroblastoma. She also works through the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium, coordinating ➝ clinical trials across more than 55 hospitals.

Selected Publications

Trovillion, E. M., Michael, M., Brown, L., Phillips, K., Oesterheld, J., & Saulnier-Sholler, G. (Accepted/In press). Naxitamab-combination Therapy for the Treatment of Patients With Refractory and/or Relapsed High-risk Neuroblastoma. Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology, Article 10.1097/MPH.0000000000003096. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPH.0000000000003096
Schramm, J., Sholler, C., Menachery, L., Vazquez, L., & Saulnier Sholler, G. (2025). Polyamine Inhibition with DFMO: Shifting the Paradigm in Neuroblastoma Therapy. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(4), Article 1068. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14041068
Gandra, D., Mulama, D. H., Foureau, D. M., McKinney, K. Q., Kim, E., Smith, K., Haw, J., Nagulapally, A., & Saulnier Sholler, G. L. (2024). DFMO inhibition of neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. Cancer medicine, 13(9), Article e7207. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.7207
Oesterheld, J., Ferguson, W., Kraveka, J. M., Bergendahl, G., Clinch, T., Lorenzi, E., Berry, D., Wada, R. K., Isakoff, M. S., Eslin, D. E., Brown, V. I., Roberts, W., Zage, P., Harrod, V. L., Mitchell, D. S., Hanson, D., & Saulnier Sholler, G. L. (2024). Eflornithine as Postimmunotherapy Maintenance in High-Risk Neuroblastoma: Externally Controlled, Propensity Score-Matched Survival Outcome Comparisons. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 42(1), 90-102. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.22.02875

Education & Training

Fellowship, Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Hasbro Children’s Hospital – 2005
Residency, Pediatrics, Hasbro Children’s Hospital – 2002
M.D., New York Medical College – 1999

Honors & Recognition

Lead role in research that resulted in FDA approval of DFMO for high‑risk neuroblastoma maintenance therapy.
Founder & Chair of the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium, coordinating many multi‑hospital trials.
Recognized for bringing precision medicine and translational research practices to pediatric oncology, especially in relapse prevention.

Impact Statement

Dr. Saulnier‑Sholler’s work has changed the landscape for children with neuroblastoma. By pioneering maintenance strategies like DFMO and integrating precision medicine tools, her research is reducing relapse, extending survival, and improving quality of life. Her leadership through global clinical trials ensures that promising discoveries become real treatments for patients, not just theoretical breakthroughs. Because of her work — supported by Four Diamonds — kids with the highest risk are getting new hope.