Laboratory of Dr. David E. Fisher, MD, PhD
Call: 617-643-5428
Email: ccolt@mgb.org
6176435428
ccolt@mgb.org
Overview
Lesions for Malignancy from Normal Development
The Fisher Lab studies the biology of melanocytes as a means of identifying pathways which 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.
Control of pigmentation is important in modulating skin cancer risk and (in certain contexts) participating in melanoma oncogenesis. Red/blond pheomelanin pigment was discovered to actively participate in melanocyte carcinogenesis, and the underlying mechanisms are being actively examined using combinations of human and animal models. Pathways were identified which link hair graying to melanocyte and melanoma survival, offering biological insights and potential leads for novel therapies or prevention strategies.
We also study the role of UV in pigmentation responses and carcinogenesis, since this potentially offers novel approaches to skin cancer prevention. A key molecular mediator of UV, pigmentation, and melanoma biology, is the transcription factor MITF. Our lab studies Mitf, which is a helix-loop-helix factor homologous to Myc, is essential for melanocyte development and survival, but can also function as a melanoma oncogene when genomically dysregulated.