Ellen M. Gravallese, MD

Brigham And Women's Hospital

Academic Titles

Theodore Bevier Bayles Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Research Program Affiliation

Member, Cancer Immunology

Research Abstract

Research in my laboratory has been devoted to the study of the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis and the identification of fundamental mechanisms by which inflammation impacts bone. Through studies of murine models of disease, human tissues using pathologic and molecular techniques and studies in osteoclast and osteoblast biology, this research has led to an understanding of mechanistic pathways in inflammation and bone remodeling. It has also contributed to the change in focus in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis towards early and agressive intervention to prevent inflammation and protect joints from destruction. In a new direction for my division, we are embarking on studies addressing the mechanisms and consequences of the immune-related adverse events (irAEs) of checkpoint inhibition in cancer therapy. Many irAEs resemble native autoimmune disease and we are particularly interested in the inflammatory arthritis that resembles, but does not exactly phenocopy, rheumatoid arthritis. Preliminary data from my division suggest that there are mechanistic and clinical differences between the arthritis seen with checkpoint inhibition and rheumatoid arthritis, but the former may advise us as to underlying mechanisms. I am involved currently as an organizer for the SPORE grant, developed by Arlene Sharpe and Ryan Sullivan, that addresses several of the irAEs from checkpoint inhibition and CAR T-cell therapy and seeks to identify unique and shared mechanisms among these autoimmune outcomes.