Lisa A. Kottschade, R.N., C.N.P.

Lisa A. Kottschade, R.N., C.N.P., is primarily interested in the treatment of malignant melanoma. She has a special interest in biomarkers as predictors of outcomes and response of patients undergoing both adjuvant and systemic therapy for the treatment of malignant melanoma.

Focus areas

Kottschade's current collaborative projects include looking at different methods to detect circulating BRAF in peripheral blood as a potential biomarker for monitoring patients on BRAF therapy, as well as a biomarker of recurrence.

Additionally, other biomarkers are being explored as a means of monitoring patients without the need for serial X-ray scanning.

Significance to patient care

This research is significant in that it may provide a more accurate, cost-effective way to monitor patients for disease recurrence, better predict outcomes and/or monitor individual response to therapy — without the need for comprehensive and often-expensive diagnostic radiologic scans.