Strawberry Birthmark Research
Infantile Haemangioma (Strawberry Birthmark)
If your child has been diagnosed with infantile haemangioma, commonly known as a strawberry birthmark, you’re not alone. Affecting up to 10% of infants, these benign vascular tumours often appear within the first few weeks of life. While they typically grow rapidly in early infancy and shrink over time (usually over 5–10 years), they can sometimes cause complications depending on their size and location.
In some cases, infantile haemangiomas may interfere with vital functions such as breathing, vision, or feeding. Even after shrinking, they may leave behind fatty lumps or scarring, which can have a lasting impact. As a parent, it’s natural to feel concerned, but advances in research are bringing new options and hope to families like yours.
Researching Infantile Haemangioma
Traditionally, strawberry birthmarks were treated with harsh medications like high-dose steroids, interferon, or chemotherapy, as well as invasive procedures such as surgery or laser therapy—options that were costly, unpleasant, and often required years of treatment. Today, the standard approach involves careful monitoring, and when necessary, with oral beta blockers like propranolol is prescribed. While effective, these medications were originally developed for adult heart conditions and can pose risks and side effects for infants.
This is why PhD students Raka Mitra and Imogen Skelton are investigating strawberry birthmarks.
Importance of Our Research Team
The innovative work of our PhD students is critical to advancing our understanding and treatment of infantile haemangioma. Below, you’ll find detailed information about their projects, publications, and achievements.
Charley-Jean has a strawberry birthmark affecting her cheek and eye. Five months after treatment with oral beta blockers like propranolol, the birthmark is gone. Without treatment the tumour could have disfigured Charley-Jean for life, and if it kept growing it could have caused blindness.
PhD Student Projects
Raka Mitra
Infantile Haemangiomas, or "strawberry birthmarks," affect many infants, growing rapidly before shrinking over time. While often harmless, they can sometimes lead to complications. Raka is working to better understand why these birthmarks grow and shrink, why they’re more common in girls, and how to improve treatments. Her research uses cutting-edge models to mimic how these birthmarks grow in the body, aiming to find safer and more effective treatments for babies.
Stay up to date on Raka’s progress by subscribing to our newsletter and joining the conversation on social media (links below)!
Research Focus: Investigating the pathogenesis and treatment of Infantile Haemangioma (Strawberry Birthmark).
Current Thesis Title:
"Investigating the Molecular Mechanisms of Infantile Haemangioma and Sex Differences in Tumour Pathogenesis"
Abstract:
Infantile Haemangioma (IH) is the most common vascular tumour in infancy, yet its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. This heterogeneous lesion, commonly known as the "Strawberry Birthmark," proliferates aggressively but regresses spontaneously, with complications occurring in 10% of cases. Females are disproportionately affected, highlighting the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms behind these sex differences through proteomic profiling. Despite advances in cell-culture systems, IH progression has not been fully characterised, underscoring the need for an angiogenesis model that recapitulates tumour growth and enables drug screening. While propranolol effectively reduces tumour size, its mechanism of action and potential long-term side effects in infants remain unclear. Raka’s research aims to unravel the molecular pathways involved in IH pathogenesis, with a focus on sex differences, the development of a novel organoid IH model system, and therapeutic target screening to improve prognosis and quality of life for patients.
Collaborators and researchers with expertise in vascular biology, paediatric tumours, proteomics, or drug screening are encouraged to connect and explore potential collaborations. By working together, we can refine our understanding of IH pathogenesis, develop better disease models, and accelerate the discovery of targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes.
Published Work:
Recent advances in understanding the molecular basis of infantile haemangioma development, British Journal of Dermatology, 2024 - Read the Published Work
Grants and Scholarships:
Deanes Endowment Trust
H and R Whitehouse Fund
Public Science Communication:
Tour Guide, Open Day lab tour, Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, 2023 – Present
Contributor, Social Media Science Communication, Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, 2023 – Present
Imogen Skelton
Infantile Haemangiomas, or “strawberry birthmarks,” are common in babies but often disappear on their own. However, some are more serious and require treatment. Imogen is studying what makes these birthmarks grow so quickly, shrink, or sometimes stay problematic for longer. Her research is looking at how hormones, immune factors, and metabolic processes may influence these changes. By learning how these elements interact in the tumour, and how we can better understand and treat IH. This could lead to better management of both IH and other tumour-related conditions.
Stay informed on Imogen’s research journey by subscribing to our newsletter and joining the conversation on social media (links below)!
Research Focus: Exploring the hormonal, immune, and metabolic pathways in Infantile Haemangioma tumour progression.
Current Thesis Title:
"Identifying the intra-tumour variation in metabolic pathways, hormonal and immune signalling involved in Infantile Haemangioma tumour progression"
Abstract:
Infantile Haemangioma (IH) is a benign vascular tumour that presents in roughly 5-10% of all infants, typically within the first few weeks to months of life. The tumour is often located in the head and neck region and appears as a "strawberry birthmark." IH is characterized by rapid proliferation after birth, followed by spontaneous involution, usually by one year of age, with regression typically completed by four years. However, 10% of cases are more severe and require treatment. The cellular dynamics involved in these stages, including the interactions among cells and the factors driving these transitions, remain poorly understood. While the current standard treatment involves the oral administration of beta-blockers, primarily propranolol, the pathophysiology of IH, specifically the rapidly proliferating endothelial cells, remains unclear, likely due to dysregulated angiogenesis and/or vasculogenesis.
There is evidence that immune modulators, fluctuating hormone levels, and metabolic pathways may play a role in IH development, but the exact mechanisms are not well understood. This project aims to elucidate these knowledge gaps by evaluating hormone levels, immune markers, mitochondrial activity, and metabolic pathways in patient-derived IH tumour samples. Using techniques like immunohistochemistry and spatial transcriptomics, Imogen will identify key pathways involved in tumour growth and involution. Additionally, she will examine the effects of stimulating endothelial cells and IH stem cells with hormones and cytokines, to better understand how these factors influence tumour cell behaviour and disease progression.
Given that IH is the most common benign childhood tumour, a deeper understanding of its pathogenesis is crucial. This project will not only advance our knowledge of IH, but also inform future research on tumour progression and vascular anomalies, paving the way for improved management and treatment options.
Grants and Scholarships:
Tai Shan Foundation Scholarship
Public Science Communication:
Tour Guide, Open Day lab tour, Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, 2023 – Present
Contributor, Social Media Science Communication, Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, 2023 – Present
Collaborate With Us
Our research is built on collaboration and innovation. If you’re a scientist or industry professional interested in partnering with us or supporting our PhD students, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can push the boundaries of medical research and improve outcomes for patients with vascular anomalies.
📩 Contact us: info@gmri.org.nz
Support
Gillies McIndoe Research Institute is a Registered Charity (CC43660) relying mainly on private philanthropy, including donations, bequests, corporate championships, grants and scholarships. You can donate now or contact us to learn how you can support us and enable our research to continue.