Memorial Hospital Research Laboratories

The Babak Mehrara Lab

Research

Pictured: Babak J. Mehrara
Babak J. Mehrara, MD

Our research group focuses on the lymphatic system in three different pathological settings: lymphedema, obesity, and cancer. Chronic lymphedema is a morbid disease condition without any cure. Our first goal is to uncover the pathology behind development and progression of cancer-related secondary lymphedema using mouse models and human biopsy samples. Briefly, we are interested in interaction of inflammatory cells (CD4+ T cells) with lymphatic vessels during lymphedema. Our ultimate aim is to come out with a therapeutic intervention to cure and prevent lymphedema by modulating CD4+ T cell inflammation and its negative effect on lymphatic vessels. Our second area of research is obesity, a state of systemic low-grade inflammation that also causes severe lymphatic damage and dysfunction. Our research is aimed at modulating lymphatic structure and function in obesity to reduce the systemic inflammation and obesity-related metabolic syndrome. Last but not the least, we are also interested in understanding the role of tumor lymphatic vessels and lymphatic function in modulating immune tolerance or antitumor immunity.

Research Projects

Th2 type T cells in lymphedema pathology

Featured News

In the Lab
Lymphedema can produce uncomfortable swelling in the arms or legs in the months and years following cancer treatment.
Could a Topical Cream Prevent Lymphedema? Study in Mice Suggests Yes
By blocking a source of inflammation in the skin, it may be possible to prevent or treat lymphedema, a common and debilitating cancer complication.

Publications Highlights

Avraham T, Zampell JC, Yan A, Elhadad S, Weitman ES, Rockson SG, Bromberg J, Mehrara BJ. Th2 differentiation is necessary for soft tissue fibrosis and lymphatic dysfunction resulting from lymphedema. FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 2013;27(3):1114-26. Epub 2012/11/30. doi: 10.1096/fj.12-222695. PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPmc3574290.

Savetsky IL, Albano NJ, Cuzzone DA, Gardenier JC, Torrisi JS, Garcia Nores GD, Nitti MD, Hespe GE, Nelson TS, Kataru RP, Dixon JB, Mehrara BJ. Lymphatic Function Regulates Contact Hypersensitivity Dermatitis in Obesity. The Journal of investigative dermatology. 2015;135(11):2742-52. Epub 2015/07/16. doi: 10.1038/jid.2015.283. PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPmc4641050.

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People

Pictured: Babak J. Mehrara

Babak J. Mehrara, MD

  • Physician-scientist Babak Mehrara studies the regulation of lymphatic regeneration after surgery and development of lymphedema.
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Physician profile

Members

Raghu P. Kataru, PhD
Raghu P. Kataru
Assistant Attending
Park, Hyeung Ju, PhD
Hyeung Ju Park
Research Associate
Jinyeon Shin
Research Assistant
Stav Brown Rave
Research Fellow
Adana Christine Cambell
Research Scholar
Kevin G. Kuonqui
Medical Student-Graduate Medical Education
Ananta Sarker
Research Technician

Open Positions

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Postdoctoral Position

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Disclosures

Members of the MSK Community often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community. These activities outside of MSK further our mission, provide productive collaborations, and promote the practical application of scientific discoveries.

MSK requires doctors, faculty members, and leaders to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public. Not all disclosed interests and relationships present conflicts of interest. MSK reviews all disclosed interests and relationships to assess whether a conflict of interest exists and whether formal COI management is needed.

Babak J. Mehrara discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons
    Fiduciary Role / Position
  • Elsevier
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Mediflix, Inc.
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Pfizer, Inc.
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • Puretech Health
    Intellectual Property Rights
  • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • UptoDate
    Intellectual Property Rights

The information published here is a complement to other publicly reported data and is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.

This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2024 through disclosure submission in spring 2025). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.

Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].


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