The Fisher laboratory studies two areas: regulation of cell death in cancer and the role of a cellular protein called Mitf, which determines formation of certain cells in skin and bone.

In the first line of investigation, Fisher and colleagues examined the action of p53 as a regulator of apoptosis (cell suicide). They applied a variety of approaches, including the use of a cell-free extract system which recapitulates many of the molecular events underlying the apoptotic suicide pathway. The identification of mediators of p53-induced cell death, as well as inhibitors of that process, may shed important light on the cancer pathways of major importance to successful cancer treatment.

In the second, they are focusing on the mechanism through which Mitf causes precursor cells to differentiate appropriately, thereby carrying out cell-specific functions such as the formation of skin pigment and resorption of bone mineral. Mitf has also emerged as a clinically useful histologic marker for melanocytic tumors. Mitf has also emerged as a clinically useful histologic marker for melanocytic tumors. The Fisher group has also determined that the Mitf-family member TFEB is targeted by a chromosomal translocation and fusion in papillary renal cell carcinoma.

David Fisher received his MD degree from Cornell University Medical College. He completed an internship and residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and a fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Dr. Fisher has received a Faculty Teaching Award, Graduate Program at Harvard Medical School, 1999; the Gertrude Elion Award for Cancer Research (AACR), 1998; Pew Foundation Scholars Award, 1995; and was named a McDonnell Foundation Research Scholar, 1995.