Research Newsletter
Translating Science, Transforming Lives - Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research Update
There is no gap between discovery and treatment at Indiana University Cancer Center. Our scientists and physician researchers are transforming breast and ovarian cancer care on multiple fronts: targeting cancer treatments to eliminate side effects, identifying those at risk for cancer and developing prevention strategies, and improving treatments for patients with metastatic disease.
Daniela Matei, MD is developing new therapies that may stop the growth and spread of ovarian tumors. In her laboratory, she recently discovered one cellular pathway that allows tumor cells to grow. She is now combining standard chemotherapy with new therapies to block this pathway. Dr. Matei has also discovered a protein that promotes cancer cell nesting on the peritoneal surface that may promote tumor spread in the abdominal cavity. Future studies will look at blocking this protein with the goal of stopping metastasis.
An integral part of breast cancer research at the Indiana University Cancer Center is Jonathan’s Mouse Fund. Jonathan’s mice are being used to test new classes of drugs that inhibit the growth of tumor-sustaining blood vessels by targeting cancer cells in different ways, improving upon currents therapies.
Donated blood samples of more than 2,000 “Friends for Life” continue to be studied by Bryan Schneider, MD to determine the differences in the genes that control the growth of blood vessels. If the genetic variations that help identify women at high risk for aggressive cancers can be identified, screening and treatment recommendations could be altered to help save more lives.
Research to determine how treatments might affect a women’s fertility is underway at the Indiana University Cancer Center. Dr. Schneider believes clues can be found in genes that control the body’s metabolism of chemotherapy drugs. His goal is to predict which women might experience early menopause as a result of breast cancer treatment.
Mary Ellen’s Tissue Bank, the world’s largest normal tissue bank, is directed by Anna Maria Storniolo, MD. This tissue bank is a repository of cancer biological samples and patient health information that will enable Indiana University Cancer Center researchers to study yet unknown risk factors and biomarkers for cancer.
Susan Clare, MD, PhD is developing a database to link breast cancer research results at Indiana University Cancer Center to drug studies world wide. The data bank will allow Dr. Clare and her colleagues to study individual responses to breast cancer therapy. Their goal is to develop unique approaches to treatment for every patient, eliminating unnecessary treatments for women with breast cancer.
Dr. Clare and collaborators at Purdue University are exploring nanotechnology for the treatment of breast cancer. Nanoparticles, which are 1/80,000,000 of the width of a human hair, have the potential to deliver treatment to cancer cells through extremely small pathways that traditional treatments cannot penetrate.
Dr. Clare is studying the subgroup of breast cancers known as the “triple negative tumors.” These are tumors that do not react with estrogen, progesterone receptors or the Her2-neu receptor. These tumors are particularly virulent and very difficult to treat. Dr. Clare has theorized that these tumors emerge from breast cancer stem cells. She has developed a model to reproduce the development of these cells, a research tool which has previously not been available.
David Flockhart, MD, PhD is directing a $12 million research project to predict responses to hormonal therapies in post-menopausal women who have had breast cancer. This major study will focus on how variations in genetic differences affect individual responses to drugs that reduce estrogen. In a different study, Drs. Flockhart and Storniolo have recently reported that some antidepressants given to treat side effects of the breast cancer drug tamoxifen can limit the effectiveness of that treatment.
Directing another major trial is Kathy Miller, MD who is testing the efficacy of a drug that inhibits the development of tumor-sustaining blood vessels for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time. Last year Dr. Miller reported dramatic benefits of the same drug in women with late-stage breast cancer.
George Sledge, Jr, MD continues to lead an international study to determine how best to individualize therapies for women with recurrent breast cancer. He is identifying genetic and proteomic differences in women that will help physicians predetermine which drugs will be most helpful to individual patients.
Harikrishna Nakshatri, PhD, isolates and studies breast cancer stem cells as potential treatments targets. His theory is that the stem cell is within the tumor mass but most likely escapes treatment because of its enhanced ability to survive treatment. He also is working to determine if the type of stem cell (i.e. lung, bone, brain, etc.) predetermines where the cancer metastasizes. The potential of his research is to predict at the time of initial surgery metastasis to bone, lungs or brain. The goal of this research is to design treatments to prevent metastasis.
No two cancer patients respond identically to treatment. Linda Malkas, PhD is developing biomarker profiles to distinguish patient differences so that the most appropriate therapy is designed and delivered. She is also working to identify molecular patterns to predict risk. Her goal is to distinguish between those at risk for cancer and those who will develop the disease.
Robert Goulet, Jr, MD is looking for early signs of breast cancer in women who are at high risk for developing this disease. He is using a technique known as ductal lavage to collect cells lining the milk ducts for laboratory investigation. IU Cancer Center scientists are documenting various changes in the genetic make-up
Victoria Champion, DNS, RN, FAAN, is studying the differences in quality of life among younger and older breast cancer survivors. Champion’s study compares quality of life differences in breast cancer survivors diagnosed at ages 45 or younger with those diagnosed at ages 55 to 70. She will assess variables such as physical, psychological, social and spiritual functioning. The study also aims to explore the experience and impacts of living with a cancer survivor on spouses and partners.
Janet Carpenter, PhD, RN, is studying the role of serotonin in hot flashes. Past research has suggests this chemical found in the body might cause hot flashes, but this is the first study to directly test this notion. Research findings will be used to develop new hot flash treatments, such as diet-modification or drug therapies, to eliminate this breast cancer related condition.
