Kenneth H. Kraemer, M.D.
- Center for Cancer Research
- National Cancer Institute
- Building 37, Room 4002
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- 240-760-6139
- kraemerk@nih.gov
RESEARCH SUMMARY
We investigated the role of DNA repair in prevention of cancer and in human development. We performed clinical, molecular, and translational investigations of two rare genetic disorders with defective DNA repair: xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) with clinical and cellular hypersensitivity to ultraviolet radiation and a 10,000-fold increased risk of skin cancer and trichothiodystrophy, a disorder with developmental abnormalities and defects in some of the same genes as XP without increased cancer risk. We found that the molecular changes in skin melanomas from the XP patients were closely related to sun exposure and different from the general population.
Areas of Expertise
Research
DNA Repair in Human Cancer-Prone Genetic Diseases
We are investigating the role of DNA repair in prevention of cancer and in human development. The approach involves integrated clinical, molecular, and translational investigations of disorders with defective DNA repair. Current studies are focusing on two rare genetic diseases: xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) a cancer-prone genetic disease with cellular hypersensitivity to ultraviolet radiation (UV) and defective DNA repair and trichothiodystrophy (TTD) a disorder with developmental abnormalities and defects in some of the same genes as XP without increased cancer risk.
The long-term goals are to: 1) define the molecular defects in these diseases, 2) characterize their clinical abnormalities and extent of phenotypic heterogeneity, 3) correlate the molecular defects with clinical abnormalities, 4) assess the altered molecular function, 5) identify and characterize the underlying mechanisms (pathophysiology) and how they lead to clinical disease, and 6) influence these processes by exploring methods of cancer prevention.
Collaborators on our research include Margaret Tucker, Human Genetics Program, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, NCI; Brian Brooks, National Eye Institute (NEI); and Carmen Brewer, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).
Publications
- Bibliography Link
- View Dr. Kraemer's PubMed Summary.
Xeroderma Pigmentosum: A Model for Human Premature Aging
Reproductive Health in Xeroderma Pigmentosum: Features of Premature Aging
Four-dimensional, dynamic mosaicism is a hallmark of normal human skin that permits mapping of the organization and patterning of human epidermis during terminal differentiation
Use of Big Data to Estimate Prevalence of Defective DNA Repair Variants in the US Population
Shining a light on xeroderma pigmentosum
Biography
Kenneth H. Kraemer, M.D.
Dr. Kraemer received his M.D. from Tufts Medical School and is board certified in dermatology and internal medicine. He has a longstanding interest in human cancer-prone genetic diseases and DNA repair. His studies focus on molecular, cellular, and clinical features of diseases including xeroderma pigmentosum and trichothiodystrophy. He is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and has received awards from the Society for Investigative Dermatology and the U.S. Public Health Service. Dr. Kraemer retired as a Senior Investigator in December 2023 and is now an NCI Scientist Emeritus.
