About Robert Lafyatis, M.D.

Dr. Lafyatis is Associate Professor of Medicine and Laboratory Director, Boston University Medical Center.

Dr. Lafyatis carries out patient-oriented research into the cause and treatment of systemic sclerosis. This includes early phase clinical trials into new therapeutic agents in patients with systemic sclerosis. He has been particularly investigating the mechanisms of actions and markers of response for novel therapeutics. An additional part of this effort is to lead a study of biomarkers in systemic sclerosis. The goals of these studies are to find molecular markers for disease activity and progression that improve treatment and permit smaller, faster clinical trials. Ongoing biomarker studies include investigation into molecular markers of pulmonary hypertension in systemic sclerosis.

Dr. Lafyatis also carries out basic research into the cause of fibrosis and vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis using patient samples and murine disease models. His studies have provided key insight into one widely used model of systemic sclerosis, the tight skin mouse. He is currently focused on better understanding how autoimmunity and the innate immune system lead to fibrosis and vascular damage. This has recently led to the discovery of increased interferon-regulated gene expression in white blood cells of patients with systemic sclerosis. Ongoing research is aimed at better understand the cause of altered gene expression by monocytes and other cells in the innate immune system.

Dr. Lafyatis leads the Boston University Medical Center rheumatology section research group studying systemic sclerosis, and works closely with the sectional clinical and clinical trial program in systemic sclerosis. He also collaborates closely with investigators outside the section and institution to coordinate research activities with biomarker and clinical trial research. He mentors fellows and junior research faculty in studies ranging from vascular disease to autoimmunity in systemic sclerosis.

Recent accomplishments, honors, and awards for Dr. Lafyatis include: Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, Arthritis Foundation; Member, Peer Review Committee, Scleroderma Foundation; co-chair, International Workshop on Scleroderma Research.