Chrysalyne Schmults, MD

Brigham And Women's Hospital

Academic Titles

Professor, Dermatology, Harvard Medical School

Research Program Affiliation

Member, Cancer Epidemiology

Research Abstract

As a dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and former director of a high-risk skin cancer clinic at a major cancer center, my research interests stem from my clinical observations and the difficulties I encounter in delivering patient care. I developed a new staging system for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) based on cohort data (the BWH system) and then helped develop the 8th edition of the AJCC CSCC system. The BWH system has identified a subgroup in need of clinical trials and I served as site PI for the first large-scale trial of systemic therapy (cempilimab, anti PD1) in this group. I very much enjoy collaborating with scientists in our department and am excited about continuing my collaboration with Dr. Ramsey in his studies of BNC1 in CSCC. The proposed studies will contribute to our understanding of the driving factors behind CSCC formation and progression to metastasis. Such work holds a great deal of promise for our patients who have no FDA approved treatments for disease that fails surgery and radiation.