Davies Laboratory

Research Overview

Central Nervous System (CNS) Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells to the CNS (including the brain and/or the leptomeninges) is one of the most common and devastating complications of advanced melanoma. We are interested in identifying the underlying predictors and mediators of metastasis to the CNS.  We are also studying the unique molecular features of CNS metastases that impact their viability and promote resistance to treatments that may otherwise work in non-CNS metastases.

Therapeutic Resistance: The management and outcomes of patients with advanced melanoma have been dramatically improved by novel immune and targeted therapies. Unfortunately, de novo and acquired resistance remain common problems that limit the ultimate benefit of these treatments. We are undertaking multiple studies to identify molecular, metabolic and immune factors that predict and mediate resistance to these treatments, and to develop strategies to overcome them.

Molecular Biology and Heterogeneity of Melanoma: Current effective treatments for melanoma were built upon novel insights into molecular and immune features of this disease. However, melanomas exhibit significant heterogeneity of these features, which results in varied and sub-optimal treatment responses. We are studying intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity of these features between different metastatic sites to identify predictive features of treatment responses, which can lead to more effective and personalized patient management strategies.