Background
The Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program is a dedicated group of over 50 clinical and pre-clinical faculty and staff spanning six divisions, including cancer medicine, diagnostic imaging, pathology/laboratory medicine, prevention, radiation oncology and surgery.
Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli, Breast Medical Oncology, leads the effort with Thomas Buchholz, co-director, Radiation Oncology, and Fredika Robertson, leader of translational research, Experimental Therapeutics.
Dr. Cristofanilli's dedication to improving overall survival of women with IBC was a magnet for IBC survivors and advocates from Texas, Washington state, and New Mexico who joined forces to advocate for resources to fight this aggressive form of breast cancer. In 2007, the Texas Legislature created the $4 million "State of Texas Rare and Aggressive Breast Cancer Research Program" at M. D. Anderson. Concurrently, the New Mexico Legislature approved $3.2 million for the University of New Mexico (UNM) Cancer Center's IBC research.
These two efforts came together in January 2008, when M. D. Anderson and the UNM Cancer Research & Treatment Center forged a bilateral research agreement, providing new hope for IBC patients worldwide.
M.D. Anderson's IBC Research Program and Clinic will focus on organizing research programs and expanding the clinical capacity to treat inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Investigators have identified high-impact goals for clinical and pre-clinical studies, all focused on improved patient care through management and discovery.