PRIMARY FACULTY

Thomas Darling, MD, Ph.D.
Dermatology, Anatomy, Physiology, & Genetics
Medicine
 
4301 Jones Bridge Road
Bethesda MD 20814
Office: 301-295-3528
Fax: 301-295-1996
tdarling@usuhs.mil

Tumors grow because neoplastic cells have mutations in genes that normally control cell proliferation (oncogenes and/or tumor suppressor genes). In addition, neoplastic cells further support their growth by altering their extracellular milieu and by inducing angiogenesis. This laboratory is studying how these events result in the formation of skin tumors. In particular, we are interested in skin tumors in patients with familial tumor syndromes, including tuberous sclerosis, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, and Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. Patients with these familial tumor syndromes are predisposed to developing a variety of internal tumors and skin tumors. The skin tumors can be disfiguring, and the only treatments currently available are surgical methods that leave scarring. By studying the genetic and molecular basis for these tumors, we hope to find non-surgical approaches to treating these tumors, approaches that may also be relevant to internal tumors in these patients.

Selected Publications

Resources