In the Media

December 2022: Researchers Identify the Hormone that Drives Fatigue After Cancer Radiation Therapy- Press Release

March 2022: Sun Exposure and Melanoma, Sun-Seeking, and Sun Protection: Fact and Fiction- Dermatology Times
March 2022:  Podcast: The Future of Melanoma Research | Futurized - thoughts on our emerging future

December 1, 2021: : Redheads really do have a stronger tolerance for pain than others -  Fox 8 News

August 2021: Researchers identify skin darkening enzyme that could help prevent skin cancers – Healio 
June 2021:  Several News Stories related to a study: Low Vitamin D linked to Opioid Addiction

• Low Vitamin D Linked to Increased Risk of Opioid Addiction – NBC Boston 
• Consumer Affairs
• Boston Herald 
• Nutra 
• Medscape
• WTVR Richmond 
• Eat This not That 
• The Scientist 
• Genetic Engineering & Biotechnical News

• Epitope spreading is spreading success in immunotherapy - ACIR, March 2021
• Epitope spreading is spreading success in immunotherapy - ACIR, March 2021
• Cosmetic laser may boost effectiveness of certain anti-cancer therapies- Mass General Press Release, February 2021
• MGH Study Finds Possible Reason Behind Redheads' Differing Pain Tolerance- Video Report- CBS Boston - April 2021
• MGH Study Finds Possible Reason Behind Redheads' Differing Pain Tolerance- Video Report- CBS Boston - April 2021
• Reduced MC4R signaling alters nociceptive thresholds associated with red hair- ScienceAdvances- April 2021

   

Research Projects

Lessons for Malignancy from Normal Development

The Laboratory of David Fisher, MD, PhD, at Massachusetts General Hospital studies the biology of melanocytes as a means of identifying pathways that drive melanoma in man. This includes examination of mechanisms underlying growth/survival of benign moles, most of which contain mutations in either BRAF or N-Ras oncogenes. We also study melanocyte death in hair follicles, a process associated with hair graying. Pathways were identified that link graying to melanocyte and melanoma survival, offering potential leads for novel therapies. Other studies focus on pathways modulating melanocytic responses to environmental cues and employ oncogene-transformed melanocytic lines that exhibit growth factor independence, mimicking human melanoma in a genetically controlled manner.

Control of Life and Death in Melanoma

Malignant transformation of melanocytes produces one of the most treatment resistant malignancies in man. We have identified a transcriptional network that regulates melanoma cell survival and proliferation as well as melanocyte differentiation during development. Using diverse methods including mouse models, human tumor expression arrays and cellular assays, we examine mechanisms through which melanoma cells evade death, with the goal of improving therapy. Studies include preclinical and clinical analyses of novel melanoma treatments. We also study the role of UV in pigmentation responses and carcinogenesis, since this potentially offers novel approaches to skin cancer prevention.

MITF Transcription Factor Family in Development and Cancer

MITF is a helix-loop-helix factor homologous to Myc, whose mutation in man produces absence of melanocytes. MITF acts as a master regulator of melanocyte development and is targeted by several critical signaling pathways. Recently, members of the MITF family have been discovered as oncogenes in a variety of human malignancies, particularly sarcomas of childhood. Their roles in cancer as well as strategies to target them therapeutically are under active investigation. Detailed mechanistic studies focus on transcription factor interactions with chromatin, particularly positioned nucleosomes.

Lab Members

David E. Fisher, MD, PhD
DFisher3@partners.org 

(Charles) Hank Adelmann, PhD
cadelmann@mgh.harvard.edu 

Judith Boozer
jboozer@mgh.harvard.edu 

Abdullah Al Emran, PhD
aemran@mgh.harvard.edu

Tal Erlich, PhD
terlich@mgh.harvard.edu

Jessica Flesher, PhD
Jflesher@mgh.harvard.edu

Sharon Germana, MS (Lab Manager)
sgermana@partners.org\

Jennifer Hsiao, PhD
hsiao@fas.harvard.edu 

Nhu Nguyen
nnguyen11@partners.org

Stephen Ostrowski, MD, PhD
sostrowski@mgh.harvard.edu

Rony Shreberk Hassidim, MD
rshreberkhassidim@mgh.harvard.edu

Shanivi Srikonda
sshrikonda@mgh.harvard.edu 

Nicholas Theodosakis, MD
ntheodosakis@partners.org

Max von Franque
mvonfranque@mgh.harvard.edu

Xunwei Wu, PhD
xwu7@partners.org

Publications

Complete List of Dr. Fisher's Published Works