Christine A. Pratilas, MD

Associate Professor of Oncology, Pediatrics, & Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Director, Pediatric Sarcoma Program
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
Baltimore, MD
Dr. Pratilas continues her research on RAS signaling pathways, concentrating on pediatric sarcomas with loss of NF1 and mutations in RAS, in order to develop novel therapeutics for children with these tumors. Current research in the lab emphasizes interrogation of biochemical and adaptive signaling responses to small molecule inhibition of the ERK signaling pathway, to identify factors that predict and condition response to targeted therapeutics, to suggest rational combination strategies, and to identify mechanisms of acquired resistance. Dr. Pratilas’ clinical expertise is in the management of children, adolescents and young adults with sarcomas, with particular research interests in rhabdomyosarcoma and MPNST. In addition, she sees children with melanocytic neoplasms and melanoma; children with NF1-associated non-CNS neoplasms; and other rare pediatric cancers. She has a strong interest in pediatric cancergenetics, and together with the Clinical Genetics service and the Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Center at JH, provides care for children with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), RASopathies, and other cancer predisposition syndromes.