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. 

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