Brigham and Women’s Mastocytosis Center

The Mastocytosis Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital has been providing care for adults and children with mast cell activation disorders for over 20 years. It is one of a select group of academic centers to care for patients with mastocytosis and mast cell activation syndromes. In addition to clinical care, it is an active site for research. Ongoing research includes basic investigations into the biology of human mast cells at the DNA, RNA and protein level, translational research in mast cell activation disorders, and clinical trials with new therapeutic options, including monoclonal antibodies and biological agents.

How We Can Help

The Mastocytosis Center provides care for adults and children with mast cell activation disorders. This includes cutaneous mastocytosis, systemic mastocytosis, mast cell activation syndromes, idiopathic anaphylaxis, and hereditary alpha tryptasemia.

The Center is a multi-specialty group and includes physicians from: Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Neurology, Oncology/Hematology, Endocrinology, Pulmonology and Pathology. Our physicians actively collaborate with outside institutions including Boston Children’s Hospital, the National Institute of Health, the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis, and the American Initiative in Mast Cell Diseases.

What Sets Us Apart

• The BWH Mastocytosis Center is the largest center for mast cell disease in the United States. The BWH Center treats more than 300 patients annually in the Allergy and Clinical Immunology Division alone.
• Our physicians are internationally recognized experts and were involved in developing diagnostic criteria for mast cell disorders.
• We are able to care for complex patients through our extensive care team consisting of more than ten physicians in eight different medical specialties.
• We have developed treatment innovations such as the first ultra-rush venom desensitization protocol for patients with mastocytosis and life-threatening anaphylaxis to hymenoptera venom.
• Patients seen at the Mastocytosis Center are eligible to participate in ongoing clinical and/or translational research. Our database contains over 1500 patients, including 1000 patients with systemic and/or cutaneous mastocytosis and 500 patients with mast cell activation syndromes. This is the largest collection of patients with mast cell activation disorders in the United States.

Our Experts

• Mariana Castells, MD PhD – Director of the Mastocytosis Center
• Matthew Giannetti, MD
• Nuala Walsh, Coordinator
• Emma Weller, Clinical Research Coordinator

Additional Faculty Center Members

• Matthew Hamilton, MD; Gastroenterology (BWH)
• Richard Horan, MD; Dermatology (BWH)
• Peter Novak, MD PhD; Neurology (BWH)
• Lora Bankova, MD: Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BWH)
• Nora Barrett, MD; Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BWH)
• Dan Deangelo, MD PhD; Division of Leukemia (DFCI)
• David Systrom, MD; Pulmonary and Critical Care (BWH)
• Sharon Chou, MD; Endocrinology (BWH)
• Jason Hornick, MD PhD; Pathology (BWH)
• Dan Dwyer, PhD; Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BWH)

Schedule an Appointment

All patients must be referred to the Mastocytosis Center by a physician. See link descriptions for scheduling criteria.

Refer a Patient

All patient must be referred by a physician. Please see the following link for detailed information regarding the referral process.

Our Location

BWH Mastocytosis Center
850 Boylston Street
Suite 301
Brigham and Women's Health Care Center, Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

Phone: (617) 732-9850
Fax: (617) 731-2748

Resources

Castells, M., & Butterfield, J. (2019). Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Mastocytosis: Initial Treatment Options and Long-Term Management. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 7(4), 1097–1106. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.02.002

Giannetti, M., Silver, J., Hufdhi, R., & Castells, M. (2019). One-day ultrarush desensitization for Hymenoptera venom anaphylaxis in patients with and without mast cell disorders with adjuvant omalizumab. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.10.022

Hartmann, K. et al. (2016). Cutaneous manifestations in patients with mastocytosis: Consensus report of the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis; the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; and the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 137(1), 35–45. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.08.034

Castells, M. C., Hornick, J. L., & Akin, C. (2015). Anaphylaxis After Hymenoptera Sting: Is It Venom Allergy, a Clonal Disorder, or Both? The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 3(3), doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2015.03.015

Castells, M., Metcalfe, D. D., & Escribano, L. (2011). Diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous mastocytosis in children: practical recommendations. American journal of clinical dermatology, 12(4), 259–270. doi:10.2165/11588890-000000000-00000