Dr Lea Dousset
Dr

Lea Dousset

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Background

I am a clinician-scientist specialising in oncodermatology, with a focus on skin cancers, translational research, and metabolism-driven carcinogenesis. My work bridges clinical dermatology and cancer research, aiming to improve patient outcomes through innovative therapeutic strategies.

I trained in dermatology and cancerology, completing rotations in oncology, radiotherapy, haematology, and oncodermatology at leading institutions, including the Institut Gustave Roussy (France). My research initially focused on energy metabolism rewiring in UVB-induced carcinogenesis, contributing to key publications (Cell Reports, 2018; Oncogenesis, 2019: Free Radicals Biology & Medicine, 2025). I leaded the MITOSKIN project, investigating metabolic and histological profiles across different stages of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and finished my PhD in 2022.

Since January 2023, I have been a postdoctoral research fellow at the Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, under Prof. Kiarash Khosrotehrani. My current research focuses on solid organ transplant recipients at high risk of aggressive skin cancers. I am coordinating two major translational studies (Siroskin and CetPro), investigating targeted therapies, biomarkers, and novel prevention strategies.

My goal is to translate scientific discoveries into clinical applications, advancing personalised treatment approaches for high-risk patients.

Availability

Dr Lea Dousset is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Diploma of Medicine, Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2
  • Advanced Diploma of Dematology and Venereology, Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2
  • Advanced Diploma of Oncology and Carcinogenesis, Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2
  • Postgraduate Diploma of Palliative Care Nursing, Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Cellular Biology and Microbiology, Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2

Research impacts

As an early-career postdoctoral research fellow, I lead a translational research program focused on developing novel therapeutic strategies for aggressive skin cancers, particularly in high-risk populations such as solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). My work integrates clinical trial management, biomarker discovery, and targeted therapies to improve cancer prevention and treatment.

I have made substantial contributions to the field of oncodermatology, particularly in cancer metabolism, tumour immunology, and drug resistance mechanisms. My research has resulted in peer-reviewed publications, industry partnerships, and clinical trials, including:

  • Siroskin (Phase III trial): Evaluating topical mTOR inhibitors for skin cancer prevention.
  • CetPro (Phase II trial): Investigating a Cetuximab-Prochlorperazine combination for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).

With 40 publications indexed in Scopus (January 2025), an h-index of 14, and 906 citations, my research is widely recognised, with 58% of my papers published in top-quartile journals and a Field-Weighted Citation Impact of 1.79. I led the MITOSKIN biobank, enabling molecular profiling of cSCCs, and pioneered the first genomic sequencing collaboration between my research teams.

By leveraging genomic profiling, spatial transcriptomics, and immunotherapeutic strategies, my research is shaping new cancer treatment paradigms and improving outcomes for high-risk patients worldwide.

Search Professor Lea Dousset’s works on UQ eSpace

45 works between 2015 and 2025
All (45) Journal Article (42) Conference Publication (3)

41 - 45 of 45 works

2017

Journal Article

Trough dabrafenib plasma concentrations can predict occurrence of adverse events requiring dose reduction in metastatic melanoma

Rousset, Marine, Dutriaux, Caroline, Bosco-Lévy, Pauline, Prey, Sorilla, Pham-Ledard, Anne, Dousset, Léa, Gérard, Emilie, Bouchet, Stephane, Canal-Raffin, Mireille, Titier, Karine and Molimard, Mathieu (2017). Trough dabrafenib plasma concentrations can predict occurrence of adverse events requiring dose reduction in metastatic melanoma. Clinica Chimica Acta, 472, 26-29. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2017.07.012

Trough dabrafenib plasma concentrations can predict occurrence of adverse events requiring dose reduction in metastatic melanoma

2017

Journal Article

NADPH Oxidase-1 Plays a Key Role in Keratinocyte Responses to UV Radiation and UVB-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis

Raad, Houssam, Serrano-Sanchez, Martin, Harfouche, Ghida, Mahfouf, Walid, Bortolotto, Doriane, Bergeron, Vanessa, Kasraian, Zeinab, Dousset, Lea, Hosseini, Mohsen, Taieb, Alain and Rezvani, Hamid Reza (2017). NADPH Oxidase-1 Plays a Key Role in Keratinocyte Responses to UV Radiation and UVB-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 137 (6), 1311-1321. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.12.027

NADPH Oxidase-1 Plays a Key Role in Keratinocyte Responses to UV Radiation and UVB-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis

2017

Journal Article

Vitiligo-like lesions occurring in patients receiving anti-programmed cell death–1 therapies are clinically and biologically distinct from vitiligo

Larsabal, Maiana, Marti, Aurélie, Jacquemin, Clément, Rambert, Jérôme, Thiolat, Denis, Dousset, Léa, Taieb, Alain, Dutriaux, Caroline, Prey, Sorilla, Boniface, Katia and Seneschal, Julien (2017). Vitiligo-like lesions occurring in patients receiving anti-programmed cell death–1 therapies are clinically and biologically distinct from vitiligo. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 76 (5), 863-870. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2016.10.044

Vitiligo-like lesions occurring in patients receiving anti-programmed cell death–1 therapies are clinically and biologically distinct from vitiligo

2017

Journal Article

Genomic and viral findings in two different primary Merkel cell carcinomas in a 76-year-old woman

Dousset, L., Dutriaux, C., Taïeb, A., Chibon, F., Foulongne, V., Frouin, E., Jullié, M. L. and Jouary, T. (2017). Genomic and viral findings in two different primary Merkel cell carcinomas in a 76-year-old woman. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 31 (1), e42-e43. doi: 10.1111/jdv.13669

Genomic and viral findings in two different primary Merkel cell carcinomas in a 76-year-old woman

2015

Journal Article

A th2 cytokine interleukin-31 signature in a case of sporadic lichen amyloidosis

Dousset, Léa, Seneschal, Julien, Boniface, Katia, Charreau, Sandrine, Ezzedine, Khaled, Milpied, Brigitte, Mossalayi, Mohammad D., McGrath, John A., Lecron, Jean Claude and Taïeb, Alain (2015). A th2 cytokine interleukin-31 signature in a case of sporadic lichen amyloidosis. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 95 (2), 223-224. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1829

A th2 cytokine interleukin-31 signature in a case of sporadic lichen amyloidosis

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Skin Microbiome and Toxicity analysis in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy: the SkinMicroTox study
    TRI Leading Innovations through New Collaborations Scheme
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Lea Dousset is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Evaluating the impact of social determinants of health on skin cancer outcomes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani

Enquiries

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