An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you know**Official websites use .gov**A
              **.gov** website belongs to an official government
              organization in the United States.
        **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**A
              **lock** (
              Locked padlock icon) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
 Top Utility Nav
        
        
        Asian-Language Resources
        
        Portal en español


Site search Mega Menu
  

        

        Home
                  Health Topics
                                      
    
  Health Topics

    Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases
          
    Muscle and Bone Diseases
          
    Skin Diseases
          
    All Diseases and Conditions
          
    Publication Catalog
                  Grants & Funding
                                      
    
  Grants & Funding

    Current Funding Opportunities
          
    Supported Scientific Programs
          
    NIAMS-Supported Programs
          
    Applying for a Grant
          
    NIH Policies and Guidance
          
    Peer Review and Grants Administration Resources
          
    Types of Funding Mechanisms (Activity Codes)
                  Labs @ NIAMS
                                      
    
  Labs @ NIAMS

    NIAMS Labs and Core Facilities
          
    Research Faculty
          
    Research Areas
          
    NIAMS Scientific Advances
          
    Training and Career Development
                  Clinical Trials
                                      
    
  Clinical Trials
      
            For Principal Investigators

    Clinical Trial Policies, Guidelines, and Templates
          
    Conducting Clinical Trials
          
    Register with ClinicalTrials.gov

For Patients

What is a Clinical Trial?
	Clinical Trials at NIAMS
	Clinical Trials in the Spotlight
                  News & Events
                                      
    
  Newsroom

    All NIAMS News
          
    NIAMS Newsletters
          
    Meetings & Events
                  About NIAMS
                                      
    
  About NIAMS

    Director's Page
          
    NIAMS Organization
          
    Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2020-2024
          
    Staff Directory
          
    NIAMS Budget
          
    Partnerships
          
    Contact NIAMS
                  Community Outreach
                                      
    
  Community Outreach

    Bone Health
          
    Joint Health
          
    Muscle, Tendon, and Ligament Health
          
    Skin Health
          
    Health Information For Kids And Young Adults
          
    Health Information For Older Adults/Seniors
          
    Printable Materials for Community Events
          
    Resources in Other Languages
          
    Annual Health Observances
          
    Social Media Resources Breadcrumb
    Home
          Labs @ NIAMS
          Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section








Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section


Isaac Brownell, M.D., Ph.D. FacebookEmailPrintFacebookEmail
        Image
              Collage of Merkel Cell Carcinoma Imagery from the Brownell Lab

      Overview

                                  Senior Investigator
      
  


Isaac Brownell, M.D., Ph.D.
      
  


            isaac.brownell@nih.gov
      
                                                                        

  
   Research Areas (IRP Lab Groups)
          Cancer Biology,
          Computational Biology,
          Skin Biology
                                
            The Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section studies the signaling pathways such as Hedgehog signaling that regulate the development and maintenance of normal skin and the changes in these signals that occur during the formation of skin cancer. Our investigations include studying the specification and maintenance of cell lineages in the skin, studying the regulation of stem cells in the skin, and using mouse genetics to model carcinogenesis in the skin.

A current focus for our research is investigating the neuro-cutaneous interface and the regulation of neuroendocrine cells (Merkel cells) in the skin. We are also analyzing Merkel cell carcinomas and are developing pre-clinical mouse models for this uncommon but aggressive skin cancer.

Ongoing Clinical Trials

The following studies are currently active. Further details are available following the links to the respective pages on the clinicaltrials.gov web site.

RECRUITING

A Phase II, Open-Label, Multicenter Trial to Investigate the Clinical Activity and Safety of MSB0010718C in Subjects with Merkel Cell Carcinoma

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02155647

This is a multicenter, international, single-arm, open-label, Phase 2 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of avelumab in participants with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).
      

                                            Related NIAMS LabsCutaneous Leukocyte Biology SectionCutaneous Microbiome and Inflammation SectionDermatology Consultation Service
  Scientific Advances
      
  

      May 1, 2023Understanding How Skin Cancer Presentation and Survival Differs by Racial and Ethnic Groups
    July 1, 2022Clinical Practice Guidelines for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

                                                      Core Research Facilities

Labs at the NIAMS are supported by the following state-of-the-art facilities and services:

Biodata Mining and Discovery
	Flow Cytometry
	Genomic Technology
	Laboratory Animal Care and Use
	Light Imaging
	Translational Immunology

                                    Staff
                            Image
              Group of people standing against a patterned background.
                            
            **Isaac Brownell, M.D., Ph.D.**Senior Investigatorisaac.brownell@nih.gov
    **Amy Coxon, Ph.D.**Biologistcoxona@mail.nih.gov
    **Khalid Garman, Ph.D.**Postdoctoral Fellow (Visiting)khalid.garman@nih.gov
    **Patrick Hallaert, B.S.**Postbaccalaureate Fellowpatrick.hallaert@nih.gov
    **Natasha T. Hill, Ph.D.**Guest Researchernatasha.hill@nih.gov
    **Jordan Jarvis, B.S.**Postbaccalaureate Fellowjordan.jarvis@nih.gov
    **Jasmine Meltzer, B.A.**Postbaccalaureate Fellowjasmine.meltzer@nih.gov
    **Lingling Miao, Ph.D.**Staff Scientistlingling.miao@nih.gov
    **Jennifer Strong, B.S.**MRSP Fellowjennifer.strong@nih.gov
            
                                                Image & Media Gallery
              
            Brownell Lab
Brownell Lab
        ×
      Brownell Lab group photo.
    Brownell Lab Group Photo
Brownell Lab Group Photo
        ×
      Brownell lab members posing in the hall.
    Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section group photo
Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section group photo
        ×
      Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section group photo
        
         Download High Res
    (14.1 MB)
    CDCS Lab
CDCS Lab
        ×
      2 Scientists discuss over on the computer lab
        
         Download High Res
    (12.55 MB)
    Medical equipment demonstration
Medical equipment demonstration
        ×
      2 scientists demonstration a machine
        
         Download High Res
    (10.88 MB)
            
                                    Career Opportunities
              
      We are seeking outstanding, highly motivated postdoctoral fellows to join our lab. There are open positions investigating skin cancer and/or skin stem cells. We conduct basic and translational studies using mouse genetics, tissue culture, mouse xenografts, and patient samples. Multiomic high-throughput technologies are applied including FACS-seq, scRNA-seq, ChIP-seq, HiChIP, functional genomics screening, and small molecule screening. Experience with cancer biology, developmental biology, or stem cell biology preferred.General RequirementsApplicants should have a Ph.D. or M.D. with relevant biomedical research experience; Peer-reviewed publications; Strong oral and written communication skills; Strong ability to work collaboratively and independently.Please send a cover letter with statement of research interests, a CV with a publication list, and the contact information of three references to Dr. Brownell (isaac.brownell@nih.gov).
            
                        
                                    Scientific Publications
              Selected Recent Publications
                  
      Mycophenolate mofetil inhibits Merkel cell carcinoma growth.

    Garman KA, Thoreson N, Strong J, Hallaert P, Gelb T, Shen M, Hall MD, Brownell I
        

                    Br J Dermatol.
        
                    2024 Mar 15;
        
                    190(4).
        
                    doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljae018
                            PMID: 38266271
              Genetic Risk Factors for Early-Onset Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

    Mohsin N, Hunt D, Yan J, Jabbour AJ, Nghiem P, Choi J, Zhang Y, Freeman AF, Bergerson JRE, Dell'Orso S, Lachance K, Kulikauskas R, Collado L, Cao W, Lack J, Similuk M, Seifert BA, Ghosh R, Walkiewicz MA, Brownell I
        

                    JAMA Dermatol.
        
                    2024 Feb 1;
        
                    160(2).
        
                    doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.5362
                            PMID: 38170500
              ATOH1, TFAP2B, and CEACAM6 as Immunohistochemical Markers to Distinguish Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Small Cell Lung Cancer.

    Vilasi SM, Nguyen J, Wang CJ, Miao L, Daily K, Eid M, Song JS, Jiang H, Ylaya K, Busam KJ, Gaiser MR, Hewitt SM, Brownell I
        

                    Cancers (Basel).
        
                    2024 Feb 15;
        
                    16(4).
        
                    doi: 10.3390/cancers16040788
                            PMID: 38398178
              Mycophenolate mofetil inhibits Merkel cell carcinoma growth.

    Garman KA, Thoreson N, Strong J, Hallaert P, Gelb T, Shen M, Hall MD, Brownell I
        

                    Br J Dermatol.
        
                    2024 Mar 15;
        
                    190(4).
        
                    doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljae018
                            PMID: 38266271
              Differences in Merkel Cell Carcinoma Presentation and Outcomes Among Racial and Ethnic Groups.

    Mohsin N, Martin MR, Reed DJ, Vilasi SM, Miao L, Hill NT, Brownell I
        

                    JAMA Dermatol.
        
                    2023 May 1;
        
                    159(5).
        
                    doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.0061
                            PMID: 36920369
              Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) clinical practice guideline on immunotherapy for the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer.

    Silk AW, Barker CA, Bhatia S, Bollin KB, Chandra S, Eroglu Z, Gastman BR, Kendra KL, Kluger H, Lipson EJ, Madden K, Miller DM, Nghiem P, Pavlick AC, Puzanov I, Rabinowits G, Ruiz ES, Sondak VK, Tavss EA, Tetzlaff MT, Brownell I
        

                    J Immunother Cancer.
        
                    2022 Jul;
        
                    10(7).
        
                    doi: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004434
                            PMID: 35902131
              Distinct Signatures of Genomic Copy Number Variants Define Subgroups of Merkel Cell Carcinoma Tumors.

    Hill NT, Kim D, Busam KJ, Chu EY, Green C, Brownell I
        

                    Cancers (Basel).
        
                    2021 Mar 6;
        
                    13(5).
        
                    doi: 10.3390/cancers13051134
                            PMID: 33800889
              Robust Production of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Oncogene Specific T Cells From Healthy Donors for Adoptive Transfer.

    Davies SI, Barrett J, Wong S, Chang MJ, Muranski PJ, Brownell I
        

                    Front Immunol.
        
                    2020;
        
                    11().
        
                    doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.592721
                            PMID: 33362774
              Avelumab in patients with previously treated metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma: long-term data and biomarker analyses from the single-arm phase 2 JAVELIN Merkel 200 trial.

    D'Angelo SP, Bhatia S, Brohl AS, Hamid O, Mehnert JM, Terheyden P, Shih KC, Brownell I, Lebbé C, Lewis KD, Linette GP, Milella M, Georges S, Shah P, Ellers-Lenz B, Bajars M, Güzel G, Nghiem PT
        

                    J Immunother Cancer.
        
                    2020 May;
        
                    8(1).
        
                    doi: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000674
                            PMID: 32414862
              Early objective response to avelumab treatment is associated with improved overall survival in patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.

    D'Angelo SP, Hunger M, Brohl AS, Nghiem P, Bhatia S, Hamid O, Mehnert JM, Terheyden P, Shih KC, Brownell I, Lebbé C, Lewis KD, Linette GP, Milella M, Schlichting M, Hennessy MH, Bharmal M
        

                    Cancer Immunol Immunother.
        
                    2019 Apr;
        
                    68(4).
        
                    doi: 10.1007/s00262-018-02295-4
                            PMID: 30721341
              The biology and treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma: current understanding and research priorities.

    Harms PW, Harms KL, Moore PS, DeCaprio JA, Nghiem P, Wong MKK, Brownell I, International Workshop on Merkel Cell Carcinoma Research (IWMCC) Working Group
        

                    Nat Rev Clin Oncol.
        
                    2018 Dec;
        
                    15(12).
        
                    doi: 10.1038/s41571-018-0103-2
                            PMID: 30287935
              Merkel cell carcinoma expresses the immunoregulatory ligand CD200 and induces immunosuppressive macrophages and regulatory T cells.

    Gaiser MR, Weis CA, Gaiser T, Jiang H, Buder-Bakhaya K, Herpel E, Warth A, Xiao Y, Miao L, Brownell I
        

                    Oncoimmunology.
        
                    2018;
        
                    7(5).
        
                    doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2018.1426517
                            PMID: 29721394
              Melanoma in patients with GATA2 deficiency.

    Nguyen J, Alexander T, Jiang H, Hill N, Abdullaev Z, Pack SD, Hsu AP, Holland SM, Hickstein DD, Engels EA, Brownell I
        

                    Pigment Cell Melanoma Res.
        
                    2018 Mar;
        
                    31(2).
        
                    doi: 10.1111/pcmr.12671
                            PMID: 29156497
              Avelumab in patients with chemotherapy-refractory metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma: a multicentre, single-group, open-label, phase 2 trial.

    Kaufman HL, Russell J, Hamid O, Bhatia S, Terheyden P, D'Angelo SP, Shih KC, Lebbé C, Linette GP, Milella M, Brownell I, Lewis KD, Lorch JH, Chin K, Mahnke L, von Heydebreck A, Cuillerot JM, Nghiem P
        

                    Lancet Oncol.
        
                    2016 Oct;
        
                    17(10).
        
                    doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(16)30364-3
                            PMID: 27592805
              A Cascade of Wnt, Eda, and Shh Signaling Is Essential for Touch Dome Merkel Cell Development.

    Xiao Y, Thoresen DT, Miao L, Williams JS, Wang C, Atit RP, Wong SY, Brownell I
        

                    PLoS Genet.
        
                    2016 Jul;
        
                    12(7).
        
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006150
                            PMID: 27414798
              Evaluating blood levels of neuron specific enolase, chromogranin A, and circulating tumor cells as Merkel cell carcinoma biomarkers.

    Gaiser MR, Daily K, Hoffmann J, Brune M, Enk A, Brownell I
        

                    Oncotarget.
        
                    2015 Sep 22;
        
                    6(28).
        
                    doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.4500
                            PMID: 26299616
              Neural Hedgehog signaling maintains stem cell renewal in the sensory touch dome epithelium.

    Xiao Y, Thoresen DT, Williams JS, Wang C, Perna J, Petrova R, Brownell I
        

                    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.
        
                    2015 Jun 9;
        
                    112(23).
        
                    doi: 10.1073/pnas.1504177112
                            PMID: 26015562
            
                                    News & Highlights
              
            Spotlight on Research | May 25, 2023
NIH Researchers Survey the Genetic Diversity of Skin Microbes in Eczema Patients
Using a combination of sequencing techniques, researchers from NIAMS and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) surveyed the skin microbiome of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD, also called eczema) to understand the genetic diversity of the bacteria present on the skin and how genetic variants may contribute to disease severity.
Read More
    NIH Director's Blog | March 24, 2022
NIH Director's Blog
Human skin is home to diverse ecosystems including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These microbial communities comprise hundreds of species and are collectively known as the skin microbiome.
Read More
    NIAMS-Related Article | October 22, 2020
Drs. Heidi Kong and Ian Myles — Derm Germs: The Human Skin Microbiome
Dr. Heidi Kong uses genomics to uncover the microbe-host interactions taking place all over our skin.
Read More
    | April 5, 2019
NIAMS Investigators Elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation
Congratulations to Drs. Isaac Brownell, Heidi Kong, and Chris Nagao who were elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation!
Read More



    FacebookEmailPrintFacebookEmail
        Last Updated: April 2024
 About NIAMS
                    Clinical Trials
                    Grants & Funding
                    Health Topics
                    Labs @ NIAMS
              News Room
                    NIAMS Multimedia Library
                    Disclaimer
                    FOIA
                    Contact us
              Privacy Statement
                    Accessibility
                    HHS Vulnerability Disclosure
                    Social Media Moderation Policy
                    NIAMS Archives
        Subscribe to Our E-Newsletters
            Click the button to see different options to sign up for newsletters.
            Click Here to Subscribe
          Follow us on
  
  About NIH
                  Accessibility Support
            FOIA requests
                  No FEAR Act data
            Office of the Inspector General
                  Performance reports
            Privacy Policy Back to Top