New ways to treat giant birthmarks in children
Therapeutic strategies for treatment of giant congenital melanocytic nevi
This research looks for new ways to shrink large birthmarks in children and prevent them from turning into cancer, hoping to avoid surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159648 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to find treatments for giant congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN), which are large birthmarks that can sometimes become cancerous in children. Researchers are testing different treatments in special mouse models that mimic human CMN, including models that grow human CMN samples. The goal is to discover therapies that can make these birthmarks disappear or shrink significantly, potentially preventing the need for painful surgeries. They are exploring both targeted medications and topical treatments to achieve these outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is focused on understanding and treating giant congenital melanocytic nevi, primarily affecting children aged 0-11 years old.
Not a fit: Patients without giant congenital melanocytic nevi or those outside the pediatric age range may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new non-surgical treatments for giant birthmarks in children, reducing the need for extensive surgeries and preventing the development of melanoma.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team has shown that certain treatments can cause significant regression of these birthmarks in mouse models, and a topical treatment has shown complete regression and prevention of melanoma in treated skin.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fisher, David E — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Fisher, David E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.