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

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

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.