Christiane Querfeld, M.D., Ph.D.

626-218-4052
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Dermatologist/Dermatopathologist
Clinical Expertise
Dermatopathology
Cutaneous Lymphoma
Mycosis Fungoides
Sezary Syndrome
Lymphoma
Research Area
Tumor Microenvironment in Cutaneous Lymphoma
Advancing Novel Biologic Therapies for Cutaneous Lymphoma
Other Languages Spoken
French
German
Appointments
Professor, Dermatology/Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology
Director, Cutaneous Lymphoma Program
At the end of the day, it is always about helping patients get better so they can go on to continue living normal lives.
 
Christiane Querfeld, M.D., Ph.D., is a professor in dermatology and dermatopathology, and a member of Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope. She is director of City of Hope's multidisciplinary Cutaneous Lymphoma Program at the Toni Stevenson Lymphoma Center. 
 
She is one of the world's renowned experts in the diagnosis and management of cutaneous lymphomas. Her other area of expertise includes dermatopathology with specialized knowledge in diagnosing melanoma, cutaneous lymphoma, as well as other skin cancers. 
 
Dr. Querfeld's team aims to provide multidisciplinary care to cutaneous lymphoma patients. She divides her time between a busy weekly clinic, where she sees patients from all over the U.S. and the world, her dermatopathology practice, and her research that focuses on investigations of the biology of cutaneous lymphomas leading to better understanding of the pathophysiology and contributing to novel therapies on the immunologic basis of this rare disorders. She is now testing (both clinically and in the laboratory) multiple immunologic therapeutics for cutaneous T cell lymphoma that target the tumor and tumor microenvironment. What continues to inspire her each and every day is being able to put all of the pieces together, like a puzzle, to reach the correct diagnosis and select the best treatment possible for her patients.
 
After obtaining her board certification in dermatology in Germany, Dr. Querfeld moved to the U.S. to pursue a two-year postdoctoral cutaneous lymphoma fellowship at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. She became board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology after a second dermatology residency training at the University of Chicago, and a dermatopathology fellowship training at Northwestern University in Chicago. Subsequently, she joined the faculty at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center prior to being recruited to City of Hope in 2014.  
 
Dr. Querfeld has received prestigious awards including Celgene's Leader in Hematology, Excellence Award by the City of Hope and Clinical Scholar Career Development Award by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and authored over 120 peer-reviewed articles, reviews, and book chapters in the field of cutaneous lymphoma.  She has obtained extramural grants from the National Cancer Institute, Leukemia Lymphoma Society and the Israel Cancer Research Fund. 
 
Dr. Querfeld also enjoys working with medical students, residents and fellows to train the future leaders in the field of cutaneous lymphoma. 
Visit the Querfeld Lab
Location
Education & Experience
Board Certifications

  • American Board of Dermatology, Dermatopathology

  • American Board of Dermatology, Dermatology

Degrees

  • 1994, Ph.D., University of Heidelberg, Germany

  • 1994, M.D., University of Cologne, Germany

Fellowship

  • 2010-2011, Dermatopathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

  • 2002-2006, Cutaneous Lymphoma, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

Residency

  • 2007-2010, Residency, Dermatology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Internship

  • 2006-2007, Internship, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Good Samaritan Hospital, Baltimore, MD

Professional Experience

  • 2022-present, Professor, Division of Dermatology, Department of Surgery, Division of Dermatology, Department of Pathology, and Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA

  • 2019-2022, Associate Professor, Division of Dermatology, Department of Surgery, Division of Dermatology, Department of Pathology, and Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA

  • 2014-present, Director, Cutaneous Lymphoma Program, Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA

  • 2017-2020, Chief, Division of Dermatology, Department of Surgery. City of Hope, Duarte, CA

  • 2014-2019, Assistant Professor, Division of Dermatology, Department of Surgery, Department of Pathology, and Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell transplantation

  • 2011-2014, Assistant Attending Physician, Dermatology, Memorial Hospital for Cancer & Allied Disease, New York, NY

  • 2011-2014, Assistant Member, Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

Research
Laboratory

Christiane Querfeld, M.D., Ph.D., is an associate professor in dermatology and dermatopathology, and member of Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope. She is director of City of Hope's multidisciplinary Cutaneous Lymphoma Program. Her current clinical and laboratory research has focused on investigations of the biology of cutaneous lymphomas and novel therapies for these diseases. Dr. Querfeld's innovative research targets both the malignancy and the surrounding cells in the tumor's microenvironment. The immune cells in the tumor microenvironment when activated have the capacity to kill the lymphoma cells. Her laboratory is advancing novel strategies to both activate the immune response against CTCL as well as direct killing of the cancer. She and her multidisciplinary team has already developed successful well tolerated interventions with meaningful benefits for her patients. 

Awards & Memberships
Awards

  • Young Investigator Award, Northwestern Memorial Foundation

  • Young Investigator Award, Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation

  • Chicago Dermatological Society Research Award, Chicago Dermatological Society

  • Celgene Future Leader in Hematology Award, Celgene

  • Junior Investigator Research Development Award from the Young Innovators Fund, City of Hope

  • Excellence Award, City of Hope

  • STOP CANCER - Research Career Development Award

  • Clinical Scholar Career Development Award, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Memberships

  • Board of Directors, International Society of Cutaneous Lymphomas

  • United States Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium

  • Diplomat, American Academy of Dermatology

  • Society for Investigative Dermatology

  • American Society of Dermatopathology

  • American Society of Hematology

Publications

 

  • Han Z, Wu X, Qin H, Yuan YC, Schmolze D, Su C, Zain J, Moyal L, Hodak E, Sanchez JF, Lee PP, Feng M, Rosen ST, Querfeld C. Reprogramming of PD1+ M2-like tumor-associated macrophages with anti-PD-L1 and lenalidomide in cutaneous T cell lymphoma. JCI insight (epub ahead), 2023
  • Han Z, Wu X, Qin H, Yuan YC, Zain J, Smith DL, Akilov OE, Rosen ST, Feng M, Querfeld C. Blockade of the immune checkpoint CD47 by TTI-621 potentiates the response to anti-PD-L1 in cutaneous T cell lymphoma. J Invest Dermatol (epub ahead), 2023
  • Hodak E, Geskin L, Guenova E, Ortiz-Romero PL, Willemze R, Zheng J, Cowan R, Foss, F, Mangas C, Querfeld C. Real-life barriers to diagnosis of early mycosis fungoides: an international expert panel discussion. Am J Clin Dermatol 18: 1-10, 2022
  • Querfeld C, Nelson WW, Gor D, Pashos CL, Doan QV, Turini M, Angello JT, Geskin L. Maintenance and concomitant therapy use with chlormethine gel among patients with stage IA/IB mycosis fungoides-type cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (MF-CTCL): A real-world evidence study. Dermatol Ther 12 (12): 12781-2795, 2022
  • Kim EJ, Mangold AR, DeSimone JA, Wong HK, Seminario-Vidal L, Guitart J, Appel J, Geskin L, Lain E, Korman NJ, Zeitouni N, Nikbakht N, Dawes K, Akilov O, Carter J, Shinohara M, Kuzel TM, Piette W, Bhatia N, Musiek A, Pariser D, Kim YH, Elston D, Boh E, Duvic M, Huen A, Pacheco T, Zwerner JP, Lee ST, Girardi M, Querfeld C, Bohjanen K, Olsen E, Wood GS, Rumage A, Donini O, Haulenbeek A, Schaber CJ, Straube R, Pullion, Poligone B. Efficacy and safety of topical hypericin photodynamic therapy for early-stage cutaneous T cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides): the FLASH phase 3 randomized clinical trial. JAMA Dermatology 158 (9): 1031-1039, 2022
  • Querfeld C, Scarisbrick JJ, Assaf C, Kim YH, Guitart J, Quaglino P, Hodak E. Chlormethine gel versus chlormethine ointment for treatment of patients with mycosis fungoides: a post-hoc analysis of clinical trial data. Am J Clin Dermatol 23 (4): 561-570, 2022
  • Di Raimondo C, Rubio Gonzales B, Palmer J, Weisenburger DD, Zain J, Wu X, Han Z, Rosen ST, Song JY, Querfeld C. Expression of immune checkpoint molecules PD1, PD-L1 and ICOS in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: association with disease stage and clinical outcome. Brit J Dermatol 187 (2): 234-243, 2022
  • Di Raimondo C, Han Z, Su C, Wu X, Qin H, Sanchez JF, Yuan YC, Martinez X, Abdulla F, Zain J, Rosen ST, Querfeld C. Identification of miRNA regulatory network and the tumor microenvironment gene profile in large cell transformation of mycosis fungoides. Cancers 13(22): 5854, 2021
  • Han Z, Estephan RJ, Wu X, Su C, Yuan YC, Qin H, Kil SH, Morales C, Schmolze D, Sanchez JF, Tian L, Yu J, Kortylewski M, Rosen ST, Querfeld C. miRNA regulation of T cell exhaustion in cutaneous T cell lymphoma. J Invest Dermatol (142 (3 Pt A): 603-612.e7), 2021 PMID: 34774537
  • Querfeld C, Thompson JA, Taylor MA, DeSimone JA, Zain JM, Shustov AR, Johns C, McCann S, Lin GHY, Uger RA, Molley N, Shou Y, Akilov OE. Intralesional delivery of TTI 621, a novel biologic targeting the innate immune checkpoint CD47, in patients with relapsed or refractory mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome: results from a phase 1 clinical study in patients with cutaneous lymphoma. Lancet Haematol 8(11): 808-817, 2021
  • Lee K, Evans MG, Yang L, Ng S, Snowden C, Khodadoust MS, Brown RA, Trum NA, Querfeld C, Doan LT, Song J, Zhang H, Gru A, Wood GS, Wada DA, Shanmugam V, Haun PL, Aster JC, Duncan LM, Guitart J, Weinstock DM, Nardi V, Choi J. Primary cytotoxic T cell lymphomas harbor recurrent targetable alterations in the JAK-STAT pathway. Blood 138(23): 2435-2440, 2021
  • Trum NA, Zain J, Parekh V, Afkhami M, Abdulla F, Carson KR, Rosen ST, Bennett CL, Querfeld C. Mogamulizu-mab efficacy is underscored by its associated rash that mimics cutaneous T cell lymphoma: a retrospective single-center case series. Brit J Dermatol 186(1): 153-166, 2021
  • Querfeld C, Kim YH, Guitart J, Scarisbrick J, Quaglino P. Use of chlormethine 0.04% gel for mycosis fungoides after treatment with topical chlormethine 0.02% gel: a phase 2 extension study. J Am Acad Dermatol (epub ahead), 2021
  • Querfeld C, Pacheco T, Haverkos B, Binder G, Angello J, Poligone B. A little experience goes a long way: chlormethine/mechlorethamine treatment duration as a function of clinician-level patient volume for mycosis fungoides cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (MF-CTCL) - a retrospective cohort study. Front Dermatol (epub ahead), 2021
  • Trum NA, Zain J, Abad C, Rosen ST, Querfeld C. Dupilumab as a therapy option for treatment refractory mogamulizumab associated rash. JAAD Case Rep 14: 37-42, 2021
  • Querfeld C, Scarisbrick JJ, Assaf C, Guenova E, Bagot M, Ortiz-Romero PL, Quaglino P, Bonizzoni E, Hodak E. Post hoc analysis of a randomized, controlled, Phase 2 study to assess response rates with chlormethine/mechlorethamine gel in patients with stage IA-IIA mycosis fungoides. Dermatology 238(2):347-357, 2021
  • Moyal L, Arkin C, Gorovitz-Haris B, Querfeld C, Rosen S, Knaneh J, Amitay-Laish I, Prag-Naveh H, Jacob-Hirsch J, Hodak E. Mycosis fungoides-derived exosomes promote cell motility and are enriched with microRNA-155 and microRNA-1246, and their plasma-cell-free expression may serve as a potential biomarker for disease burden. Br J Dermatol 185(5): 999-1012, 2021
  • Martinez XU, Chowdhury A, Stiller T, Palmer J, Loscalzo M, Barrios E, Abdulla F, Zain J, Rosen ST, Querfeld C. The impact of gender, age, race/ethnicity, and stage on quality of life in a spectrum of cutaneous lymphomas. Support Care Cancer 29(11): 6669-6679, 2021
  • Querfeld C, Geskin L, Kim E, Scarisbrick J, Quaglino P, Papadavid E, Agnello J, Ortiz P. Lack of systemic absorption of topical mechlorethamine gel in patients with mycosis fungoides cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. J Invest Dermatol 141(6): 1601-1604, 2021
  • Johnson LDS, Banerjee S, Kruglov O, Viller NN, Horwitz SM, Lesokhin A, Zain J, Querfeld C, Chen R, Okada C, Sawas A, O'Connor OA, Sievers EL, Shou Y, Uger RA, Wong M, Akilov OE. Targeting CD47 in Sézary syndrome with SIRPαFc. Blood Adv 3(7): 1145-1153, 2019
  • Querfeld C, Leung S, Myskowski PL, Curran SA, Goldman DA, Heller G, Wu X, Kil SH, Sharma S, Finn K, Mehrara B, Horwitz S, Moskowitz A, Rosen ST, Halpern AC, Young JW. Primary T-cells from cutaneous T-cell lymphoma skin explants display an exhausted immune checkpoint profile. Cancer Immunol Res. 2018. DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-17-0270.
  • Marchetti MA, Pulitzer MP, Myskowski PL, Lunning MA, Dusza SW, Horwitz SM, Moskowitz AJ, Querfeld C. Cutaneous manifestations of human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type-1-associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma: a single-center, retrospective study. J Am Acad Dermatol (accepted for publication), 2014.
  • Querfeld C, Rosen ST, Guitart J, Duvic M, Kim YH, Dusza SW, Kuzel TM. Results of an open-label multicenter phase II trial of lenalidomide monotherapy in refractory mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. Blood 123(8): 1159-1166, 2014.
  • Jawed SI, Myskowski PL, Horwitz S, Moskowitz A, Querfeld C. Primary Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome) Part II. Prognosis, management, and future directions. J Am Acad Dermatol 70(2): 223.e1-17; quiz 240-2, 2014.
  • Jawed SI, Myskowski PL, Horwitz S, Moskowitz A, Querfeld C. Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome) Part I. Diagnosis: Clinical and histopathologic features, and new molecular and biologic markers. J Am Acad Dermatol 70(2): 205.e1-16; quiz 221-2, 2014.
  • Pulitzer M, Myskowski MP, Horwitz S, Querfeld C, Li J, Murali R. Mycosis fungoides with large cell transformation: clinicopathological features and prognostic factors. Pathology 46(7): 610-616, 2014.
  • Li JY, Guitart J, Pulitzer M, Subtil A, Sundram U, Kim YH, Deonizio J, Myskowski PL, Moskowitz A, Horwitz S, Querfeld C. Multicenter case series of indolent small/medium-sized CD8+ lymphoid proliferations with predilection for the ear and face. Am J Dermatopathol 36(5): 402-408, 2014.
  • Li JY, Pulitzer M, Myskowski PL, Dusza SW, Horwitz S, Moskowitz A, Querfeld C. A case-control study of clinicopathologic features, prognosis, and therapeutic responses in patients with granulomatous mycosis fungoides. J Am Acad Dermatol 69(3): 366-374.e4, 2013.
  • Knobler R, Duvic M, Querfeld C, Straus D, Horwitz S, Zain J, Foss F, Kuzel TM, Campbell K, Geskin L. Long-term follow-up and survival of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma patients treated with extracorporeal photopheresis. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 28(5): 250-257, 2012.
  • Thomas TO, Agrawal P, Guitart J, Rosen ST, Rademaker AW, Querfeld C, Hayes JP, Kuzel TM, Mittal BB. Outcome of patients with a single-fraction dose of palliative radiation for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 85(3):747-53, 2013.
  • Li JY, Horwitz S, Moskowitz A, Myskowski PL, Pulitzer M, Querfeld C. Management of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: new and emerging targets and treatment options. Cancer Manag Res 4: 75-89, 2012.
  • Querfeld C, Rosen ST, Guitart J, Rademaker A, Pezen DS, Dolan E, Baron J, Yarosh DB, Foss F, Kuzel TM. Multicenter phase II trial of temozolomide in mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome: correlation with O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase and mismatch repair proteins. Clin Cancer Res 17(17): 5748-5754, 2011.
  • Querfeld C, Kuzel TM, Kim YH, Porcu P, Duvic M, Musiek A, Rook AH,  Mark LA, Pinter-Brown L, Hamid O, Lin B, Bian Y, Boye M, Day JM, Rosen ST. Multicenter phase II trial of enzastaurin in patients with relapsed or refractory advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Leuk Lymph 52(8): 1474-1480, 2011.
  • Olsen EA, Rook AH, Zic J, Kim Y, Porcu P, Querfeld C, Wood G, Demierre MF, Pittelkow M, Wilson L, Pinter-Brown L, Advani R, Parker S, Kim E, Junkins-Hopkins J, Foss F, Cacchio P, Duvic M. Sézary Syndrome: evaluation, immuno-pathogenesis, literature review of therapeutic options and recommendations for therapy by the United States Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium (USCLC). J Am Acad Dermatol 64(2): 352-404, 2011.
  • Gerami P, Wickless SC, Querfeld C, Rosen ST, Kuzel TM, Guitart J. Cutaneous involvement with marginal zone lymphoma. J Am Acad Dermatol 63(1): 142-145, 2010.
  • Querfeld C, Khan I, Mahon B, Nelson BP, Rosen ST, Evens AM. Primary cutaneous and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma: clinicopathologic aspects and therapeutic options. Oncology (Williston Park) 24(7): 574-587, 2010.
  • Querfeld C, Mehta N, Rosen ST, Guitart J, Rademaker A, Gerami P, Kuzel TM. Alemtuzumab for relapsed and refractory erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: a single center experience from the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. Leuk Lymph 50(12): 1969-1976, 2009.
  • Querfeld C, Rosen ST, Guitart J, Rademaker A, Foss F, Gupka R, Kuzel TM. Phase II trial of subcutaneous injections of human recombinant interleukin-2 for the treatment of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. J Am Acad Dermatol 56(4): 580-3, 2007.
  • Querfeld C, Kuzel TM, Guitart J, Rizvi M, Sabharwal SS, Krett N, Rosen ST. The selective protein kinase C ? inhibitor enzastaurin induces apoptosis in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cell lines through the AKT pathway. J Invest Dermatol 126(7): 1641-7, 2006.
  • Querfeld C, Rosen ST, Kuzel TM, Kirby KA, Roenigk HH Jr, Prinz BM, Guitart J. Long-term follow-up of patients with early stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma who achieved complete remission on psoralen plus UV-A monotherapy. Arch Dermatol 141(3): 305-11, 2005.
  • Querfeld C, Rosen ST, Guitart J, Rademaker A, Fung SB, Posten W, Kuzel TM. Comparison of selective RAR and RXR retinoid mediated efficacy, tolerance, and survival in refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. J Am Acad Dermatol 51(1): 25-32, 2004.
Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews below are gathered from the Press Ganey Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG CAHPS) survey. CG CAHPS is a standardized survey that is used to measure a patient's experience in the physician office setting. Ratings are an average of all responses to questions about a provider's care, with 5 stars being the highest.
Ratings
4.9
Show respect for what you say
4.9
Spend enough time with you
4.9
Recommend this provider office
4.9
Provider listen carefully to you
4.8
Know important info medical history
4.8
Rate provider 0-10
4.8
Provider explain in way you understand
Reviews
06/18/23
Very good experience. - Verified patient
04/01/23
Excellent doctor - Verified patient
04/01/23
Excellent - Verified patient
02/15/23
Dr Querfeld and staff are really amazing. So thankful. - Verified patient
11/27/22
The Dr is WONDERFUL! [...] - Verified patient