Melanoma rates in the United States have increased more than 12-fold in the past 50 years. Despite major public health efforts to reduce exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the primary environmental risk factor, these rates continue to rise. We in the Arbesman Lab seek to identify and characterize other risk factors for melanoma, including hereditary risk factors, to expand the types of skin cancer prevention techniques available to high-risk individuals.
Josh Arbesman, MD is a physician scientist who specializes in melanoma treatment and research. A dermatologist who treats individuals at high risk of developing melanoma, Dr. Arbesman studies skin cancer risk factors with the goal of helping his patients through all aspects of their care. Dr. Arbesman is a leading expert in the field of genetic risk factors for melanoma. He has challenged the idea that melanoma is one of the least heritable cancer types by demonstrating that up to 15% of cases are associated with inherited pathogenic gene variants and has shown that many of these variants influence a tumor’s response to immunotherapy. By studying genetic risk factors for melanoma, Dr. Arbesman hopes his team will be able to identify new areas of skin cancer prevention beyond reducing sun exposure, expanding the options available for at-risk individuals.
Education & Fellowships
Residency - University Hospitals Case Medical Center
Dermatology
Cleveland, OH USA
2015
Residency - University of Buffalo Hospitals
Internal Medicine
Buffalo, NY USA
2011
Medical Education - University at Buffalo School of Medicine
Buffalo, NY USA
2010
Undergraduate - Brandeis University
Waltham, MA USA
2006
Residency - University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Cleveland, OH USA
Internship - University at Buffalo School of Medicine
Buffalo, NY USA
Medical Education - University at Buffalo School of Medicine
Buffalo, NY USA
Certifications
While melanoma isn’t strictly hereditary in the same way as BRCA-associated breast and ovarian cancers, there are still many genetic risk factors influencing an individual’s overall lifetime risk of developing the disease.
Using targeted cancer panel screening, whole exome & whole genome sequencing we are further characterizing and identifying novel genetic risk factors for melanoma. We correlate our findings with functional laboratory work examining individual genes to better interrogate their role in melanoma.
Using this functional understanding of how a specific gene is responsible for melanoma development, we seek to design novel skin cancer prevention therapies to be used in high-risk melanoma individuals.
View publications for Joshua Arbesman, MD
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Selected Publications
Our education and training programs offer hands-on experience at one of the nationʼs top hospitals. Travel, publish in high impact journals and collaborate with investigators to solve real-world biomedical research questions.
Learn MoreGenetic factors predisposing someone to melanoma may also impact immune cell populations, which could help people with these factors respond to immunotherapy.
Up to one in seven melanoma patients are genetically predisposed to the cancer, suggesting inherited genetics may be a bigger risk factor than sun exposure in some cases.