Identification of novel therapeutic approaches to treat breast cancer metastases

Our group focuses on developing new treatment approaches to treat patients with existing metastatic breast cancer. There are several genetically distinct subtypes of breast cancer and we aim to develop and test unique models that represent triple-negative (ER-/PR-/HER2-) and estrogen receptor positive (ER+) disease. Basal-like triple-negative breast cancers are nearly always treated with chemotherapeutics, and luminal ER+ tumors are targeted with anti-estrogens; unfortunately, many cancer cells acquire resistance to these drugs and different treatment options are needed. To identify strategies to overcome drug resistance we are developing patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models that are sensitive or resistant to these therapies; ongoing studies are utilizing genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic approaches to identify mechanisms of resistance. Quantitative ancestral profiling is incorporated into interpretation of synergistic drug screening data with NCI-focused pre-clinical and newly-developed experimental compounds. Overall, we aim for this research to lead to new clinical trials that will eliminate metastatic disease. We have received research funding from the National Cancer Institute, Susan G. Komen Foundation, METAvivor, the Jeffress Trust, VCU School of Medicine, and the VCU Massey Cancer Center. 

Contact Us

J. Chuck Harrell, PhD

J. Chuck Harrell, PhD

Principal Investigator

J. Chuck Harrell, PhD

J. Chuck Harrell, PhD

Principal Investigator

Pathology

Associate Professor of Pathology

Phone: (804) 828-8710

Fax: (804) 828-9749

Email: Joshua.Harrell@vcuhealth.org

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Xavier Bittman, PhD

Xavier Bittman, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Xavier Bittman, PhD

Xavier Bittman, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Pathology

David Boyd

David Boyd

PhD Student, Research Associate

David Boyd

David Boyd

PhD Student, Research Associate

Pathology

Email: David.Boyd@vcuhealth.org

Julia Altman, BS

Julia Altman, BS

PhD Student, Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Julia Altman, BS

Julia Altman, BS

PhD Student, Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Pathology

Carson Walker, BS

Carson Walker, BS

PhD Student, Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Carson Walker, BS

Carson Walker, BS

PhD Student, Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Pathology

Emily Zboril, BS

Emily Zboril, BS

PhD Student, Department of Biochemistry

Emily Zboril, BS

Emily Zboril, BS

PhD Student, Department of Biochemistry

Pathology

Nina Dashti-Gibson, BS

Nina Dashti-Gibson, BS

MD-PhD student in the Medical Scientist Training Program

Nina Dashti-Gibson, BS

Nina Dashti-Gibson, BS

MD-PhD student in the Medical Scientist Training Program

Pathology

Henos Negash, BS

Henos Negash, BS

PhD student in the PhD Program in Pharmaceutics

Henos Negash, BS

Henos Negash, BS

PhD student in the PhD Program in Pharmaceutics

Pathology

Nicole Hairr, BS

Nicole Hairr, BS

Research Technician

Nicole Hairr, BS

Nicole Hairr, BS

Research Technician

Pathology

Email: Nicole.Hairr@vcuhealth.org

Rachel Myrick, BS

Rachel Myrick, BS

Research Technician

Rachel Myrick, BS

Rachel Myrick, BS

Research Technician

Pathology

Email: Rachel.Myrick@vcuhealth.org

Faith Parker

Faith Parker

VCU Undergraduate Researcher

Faith Parker

Faith Parker

VCU Undergraduate Researcher

Pathology

Email: Faith.Parker@vcuhealth.org

Evelyn Thomas

Evelyn Thomas

VCU Undergraduate Researcher

Evelyn Thomas

Evelyn Thomas

VCU Undergraduate Researcher

Pathology

Email: Evelyn.Thomas@vcuhealth.org