Constance Griffin, M.D.

Professor Department Pathology, Oncology, Medicine

Research Interests:

Recurrent, site-specific chromosomal abnormalities are being found in an increasing number of neoplasms, and have pointed to sites in the genome where genes involved in carcinogenesis are located. Our research program in tumor cytogenetics studies the karyotype of selected groups of human tumors. Our identification of recurrent breakpoints at 2p23 in inflammatory myoblastic tumor led to the surprising finding of ALK gene involvement in these neoplasms. Spectral karyotyping (SKY), a multicolored FISH technique, has facilitated the identification of a number of genomic alterations in leukemias and solid tumors. We are particularly interested in drawing appropriate clinical correlations with our laboratory findings to determine the biologic and prognostic significance of observed chromosome abnormalities.

Educational Activities:

• Preceptor  Postdoctoral Clinical Genetics Training Program
• Preceptor Molecular Pathology Training Program

Selected Publications:

Coffin CM, Patel A, Perkins S, Elenitoba-Johnson KS, Perlman E, Griffin CA. ALK1 and p80 expression and chromosomal rearrangements involving 2p23 in inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. Mod Pathol. 2001 Jun;14(6):569-76.

Klein, A.P., Brune, K.A., Petersen, G.M., Goggins, M., Tersmette, A.C., Offerhaus, J.A., Griffin, C.A., Cameron, J.L., Yeo, C.J., Kern, S., Hruban, R.H., Prospective risk of pancreatic cancer in familial pancreatic cancer kindreds. Cancer Research 2004 April; (64): 2634-38.

Wehle D, Yonescu R, Long PP, Gala N, Epstein J, Griffin CA. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of 12p in germ cell tumors using a bacteriaartificial chromosome clone 12p probe on paraffin-embedded tissue: clinical test validation. Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 2008 Jun;183(2):99-104.

Panagopoulos I, Mertens F, Griffin CA. An endometrial stromal sarcoma cell line with the JAZF1/PHF1 chimera. Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 2008 Sep;185(2):74-7.

Jinawath N, Norris-Kirby A, Smith BD, Gocke CD, Batista DA, Griffin CA, Murphy KM. A rare e14a3 (b3a3) BCR-ABL fusion transcript in chronic myeloid leukemia: diagnostic challenges in clinical laboratory practice. J Mol Diagn. 2009 Jul;11(4):359-63.Epub 2009 Jun 4.

Contact:
Constance A Griffin MD
Professor of Pathology and Oncology
The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Park SB202
600 N Wolfe St
Baltimore MD 21287

cgriffin@jhmi.edu

410) 955-8363