Division of Sleep Medicine @ Harvard Medical School
Faculty Profile
Eva Schernhammer, MD, DrPH
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Associate Epidemiologist, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health
Other Affiliation(s)
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Epidemiology, University of Vienna Medical School
Address
Channing Laboratory181 Longwood Avenue, 4th Floor, Room 444
Boston, MA 02115
USA
Phone 617 525 4648
Fax 617 525 2008
Email Eva.schernhammer@channing.harvard.edu
Email lindsay.bush@channing.harvard.edu
Society Memberships
European Society for Medical OncologyInternational Society of Cancer Prevention
Society for Epidemiologic Research
American Association for Cancer Research
New York Academy of Sciences
Research Unit(s)
Research Interests
Major research interests:
My research focuses on the influence of lifestyle as well as gene-environment interactions in the context of chronic diseases. These include a variety of cancers such as breast, colon, and pancreatic cancer, as well as neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease as well as cardiovascular disease. My research is primarily based in the Harvard cohorts, including the Nurses’ Health Studies and the Health Professional Follow-up Study.
A primary interest of mine relates to the influence of the circadian system on chronic diseases and longevity in humans. I study shift work as a surrogate for exposure to light at night including related biomarkers for cancer risk and healthy aging. To translate findings from these studies to cancer prevention strategies I am conducting a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of melatonin supplementation in breast cancer survivors at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Because clock genes appear to influence circadian behavior in humans, I am also studying clock gene variants, their association with breast cancer risk and potential interactions of these associations with night shift work. Further, I evaluate the relationship between clock gene signaling, sleep characteristics, melatonin, and longevity in a prospective follow-up study of elderly men, utilizing a subcohort of the MrOS main cohort, the MrOS Sleep Cohort, which is comprised of 2,846 men with complete actigraphy, polysomnography, and sleep information and for whom first void morning urine has been collected along with blood for DNA analyses.
- Epidemiology of chronic diseases – etiology of cancer, coronary heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases
- Circadian phase: melatonin as biomarkers for cancer risk
- Shift work: light exposure and cancer etiology
- Breast cancer: biomarkers, gene-environment interactions, and prevention
My research focuses on the influence of lifestyle as well as gene-environment interactions in the context of chronic diseases. These include a variety of cancers such as breast, colon, and pancreatic cancer, as well as neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease as well as cardiovascular disease. My research is primarily based in the Harvard cohorts, including the Nurses’ Health Studies and the Health Professional Follow-up Study.
A primary interest of mine relates to the influence of the circadian system on chronic diseases and longevity in humans. I study shift work as a surrogate for exposure to light at night including related biomarkers for cancer risk and healthy aging. To translate findings from these studies to cancer prevention strategies I am conducting a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of melatonin supplementation in breast cancer survivors at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Because clock genes appear to influence circadian behavior in humans, I am also studying clock gene variants, their association with breast cancer risk and potential interactions of these associations with night shift work. Further, I evaluate the relationship between clock gene signaling, sleep characteristics, melatonin, and longevity in a prospective follow-up study of elderly men, utilizing a subcohort of the MrOS main cohort, the MrOS Sleep Cohort, which is comprised of 2,846 men with complete actigraphy, polysomnography, and sleep information and for whom first void morning urine has been collected along with blood for DNA analyses.
Trainees
Regina Dopfel, 2006-2008
Genevieve Marie Monsees, 2007-present
David Stock, 2008-present
Genevieve Marie Monsees, 2007-present
David Stock, 2008-present
Research Funding
09/01/05- 8/31/10
NIH
Effects of Light at Night on the Circadian System in Nurses
This proposal will evaluate light exposure in rotating shift workers based on the recent information on the specific wavelengths that affect melatonin levels in humans, and will relate those measures to the response of their circadian system, as measured by melatonin levels in urine.
04/01/06-03/31/09
NIH/NCI
Clock Genes, Night Work, and Breast Cancer Risk
We propose to draw on the existing data and DNA samples from the on-going Nurses’ Health Study II to conduct a nested case-control study that evaluates associations of common variants in candidate genes of the circadian clock with breast cancer risk, as well as interactions with night shift work.
09/11/07-08/31/09
NIH
A Pilot Trial of Oral Melatonin Supplementation in Breast Cancer Survivors
We propose to conduct a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial of oral melatonin supplementation over six months in 118 healthy survivors of early stage breast cancer without current hormonal therapy use. We will assess variations in circulating estradiol, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) levels as potential biomarkers. As secondary outcomes, effects of melatonin on mood, sleep quality, and menopausal symptoms will also be evaluated. Overlap: None
09/19/06 -7/31/11
NIH
Registry Study of Parkinson’s Disease in Denmark
WE will take advantage of a worldwide unique resource available in Denmark to conduct the largest population-based case-control study ever to examine gene-environment interactions in PD. As part of this proposal, we will examine Parkinson’s disease and its relation with cancer etiology, to further understand biological mechanisms in the development of cancer in humans.
07/01/08-06/30/12
NIH
Interplay Between Sleep, Melatonin, and Mortality in Older Men
Here we propose to evaluate the relationship between clock gene signaling, sleep characteristics, melatonin, and longevity in a prospective follow-up study of elderly men. We will utilize a subcohort of the MrOS main cohort, the MrOS Sleep Cohort, which is comprised of 2,846 men with complete actigraphy, polysomnography, and sleep information and for whom first void morning urine has been collected along with blood for DNA analyses.
NIH
Effects of Light at Night on the Circadian System in Nurses
This proposal will evaluate light exposure in rotating shift workers based on the recent information on the specific wavelengths that affect melatonin levels in humans, and will relate those measures to the response of their circadian system, as measured by melatonin levels in urine.
04/01/06-03/31/09
NIH/NCI
Clock Genes, Night Work, and Breast Cancer Risk
We propose to draw on the existing data and DNA samples from the on-going Nurses’ Health Study II to conduct a nested case-control study that evaluates associations of common variants in candidate genes of the circadian clock with breast cancer risk, as well as interactions with night shift work.
09/11/07-08/31/09
NIH
A Pilot Trial of Oral Melatonin Supplementation in Breast Cancer Survivors
We propose to conduct a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial of oral melatonin supplementation over six months in 118 healthy survivors of early stage breast cancer without current hormonal therapy use. We will assess variations in circulating estradiol, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) levels as potential biomarkers. As secondary outcomes, effects of melatonin on mood, sleep quality, and menopausal symptoms will also be evaluated. Overlap: None
09/19/06 -7/31/11
NIH
Registry Study of Parkinson’s Disease in Denmark
WE will take advantage of a worldwide unique resource available in Denmark to conduct the largest population-based case-control study ever to examine gene-environment interactions in PD. As part of this proposal, we will examine Parkinson’s disease and its relation with cancer etiology, to further understand biological mechanisms in the development of cancer in humans.
07/01/08-06/30/12
NIH
Interplay Between Sleep, Melatonin, and Mortality in Older Men
Here we propose to evaluate the relationship between clock gene signaling, sleep characteristics, melatonin, and longevity in a prospective follow-up study of elderly men. We will utilize a subcohort of the MrOS main cohort, the MrOS Sleep Cohort, which is comprised of 2,846 men with complete actigraphy, polysomnography, and sleep information and for whom first void morning urine has been collected along with blood for DNA analyses.
Teaching
Selected Publications
Flynn-Evans EE, Stevens RG, Tabandeh H, Schernhammer ES, Lockley SW. Total visual blindness is protective against breast cancer.
Cancer Causes Control. 2009 Nov;20(9):1753-6. Epub 2009 Aug 1. [PMID: 19649715]
Schernhammer ES, Giovannucci E, Kawasaki T, Rosner B, Fuchs C, Ogino S. Dietary Folate, Alcohol, and B Vitamins in Relation to LINE-1 Hypomethylation in Colon Cancer.
Gut. 2009 Oct 14. [Epub ahead of print] [PMID: 19828464]
Schernhammer ES, Feskanich D, Niu C, Dopfel R, Holmes MD, Hankinson SE. Dietary correlates of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin concentrations in the Nurses' Health Study cohorts.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Oct;90(4):975-85. Epub 2009 Aug 12. [PMID: 19675108]
Schernhammer ES, Haidinger G, Waldhör T, Vutuc C. Attitudes about the use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer treatment.
J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Oct;15(10):1115-20. [PMID: 19848548]
Rugbjerg K, Friis S, Ritz B, Schernhammer ES, Korbo L, Olsen JH. Autoimmune disease and risk for Parkinson disease. A population-based case-control study.
Neurology. 2009 Sep 23. [Epub ahead of print] [PMID: 19776374]
Viswanathan AN, Schernhammer ES. Circulating melatonin and the risk of breast and endometrial cancer in women.
Cancer Lett. 2009 Aug 18;281(1):1-7. Epub 2008 Dec 12. Review. [PMID: 19070424]
Brown DL, Feskanich D, Sánchez BN, Rexrode KM, Schernhammer ES, Lisabeth LD. Rotating night shift work and the risk of ischemic stroke.
Am J Epidemiol. 2009 Jun 1;169(11):1370-7. Epub 2009 Apr 8. [PMID: 19357324]
Feskanich D, Hankinson SE, Schernhammer ES. Nightshift work and fracture risk: the Nurses' Health Study.
Osteoporos Int. 2009 Apr;20(4):537-42. Epub 2008 Sep 3. [PMID: 18766292]
Schernhammer ES, Feskanich D, Niu C, Dopfel R, Holmes MD, Hankinson SE. Dietary correlates of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin concentrations in the Nurses' Health Study cohorts2.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Aug 12. [Epub ahead of print; PMID: 1967510]
Schernhammer ES, Hankinson SE. Urinary melatonin levels and postmenopausal breast cancer risk in the nurses' health study cohort.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009 Jan;18(1):74-9. [PMID: 19124483]
Schernhammer ES, Berrino F, Krogh V, Secreto G, Micheli A, Venturelli E, Sieri S, Sempos CT, Cavalleri A, Schünemann HJ, Strano S, Muti P. Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels and risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008 Jun 18;100(12):898-905. [PMID: 18544743]
Viswanathan AN, Hankinson SE, Schernhammer ES. Night shift work and the risk of endometrial cancer.
Cancer Res. 2007 Nov 1;67(21):10618-22. [PMID: 17975006]
Megdal SP, Schernhammer ES. Correlates for poor sleepers in a Los Angeles high school. Sleep Med. 2007 Dec;9(1):60-3. Epub 2007 Sep 14. [PMID: 17869576]
Cancer Causes Control. 2009 Nov;20(9):1753-6. Epub 2009 Aug 1. [PMID: 19649715]
Schernhammer ES, Giovannucci E, Kawasaki T, Rosner B, Fuchs C, Ogino S. Dietary Folate, Alcohol, and B Vitamins in Relation to LINE-1 Hypomethylation in Colon Cancer.
Gut. 2009 Oct 14. [Epub ahead of print] [PMID: 19828464]
Schernhammer ES, Feskanich D, Niu C, Dopfel R, Holmes MD, Hankinson SE. Dietary correlates of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin concentrations in the Nurses' Health Study cohorts.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Oct;90(4):975-85. Epub 2009 Aug 12. [PMID: 19675108]
Schernhammer ES, Haidinger G, Waldhör T, Vutuc C. Attitudes about the use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer treatment.
J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Oct;15(10):1115-20. [PMID: 19848548]
Rugbjerg K, Friis S, Ritz B, Schernhammer ES, Korbo L, Olsen JH. Autoimmune disease and risk for Parkinson disease. A population-based case-control study.
Neurology. 2009 Sep 23. [Epub ahead of print] [PMID: 19776374]
Viswanathan AN, Schernhammer ES. Circulating melatonin and the risk of breast and endometrial cancer in women.
Cancer Lett. 2009 Aug 18;281(1):1-7. Epub 2008 Dec 12. Review. [PMID: 19070424]
Brown DL, Feskanich D, Sánchez BN, Rexrode KM, Schernhammer ES, Lisabeth LD. Rotating night shift work and the risk of ischemic stroke.
Am J Epidemiol. 2009 Jun 1;169(11):1370-7. Epub 2009 Apr 8. [PMID: 19357324]
Feskanich D, Hankinson SE, Schernhammer ES. Nightshift work and fracture risk: the Nurses' Health Study.
Osteoporos Int. 2009 Apr;20(4):537-42. Epub 2008 Sep 3. [PMID: 18766292]
Schernhammer ES, Feskanich D, Niu C, Dopfel R, Holmes MD, Hankinson SE. Dietary correlates of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin concentrations in the Nurses' Health Study cohorts2.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Aug 12. [Epub ahead of print; PMID: 1967510]
Schernhammer ES, Hankinson SE. Urinary melatonin levels and postmenopausal breast cancer risk in the nurses' health study cohort.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009 Jan;18(1):74-9. [PMID: 19124483]
Schernhammer ES, Berrino F, Krogh V, Secreto G, Micheli A, Venturelli E, Sieri S, Sempos CT, Cavalleri A, Schünemann HJ, Strano S, Muti P. Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels and risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008 Jun 18;100(12):898-905. [PMID: 18544743]
Viswanathan AN, Hankinson SE, Schernhammer ES. Night shift work and the risk of endometrial cancer.
Cancer Res. 2007 Nov 1;67(21):10618-22. [PMID: 17975006]
Megdal SP, Schernhammer ES. Correlates for poor sleepers in a Los Angeles high school. Sleep Med. 2007 Dec;9(1):60-3. Epub 2007 Sep 14. [PMID: 17869576]
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