Program Members
Executive Director
Naoto Ueno, MD, PhD, FACP
Elucidating the role of EMT, metastasis, and cancer stem cells in IBC; Development of novel clinical trials for IBC Elucidating the role of ERK pathway in IBC Conducting whole genome and cDNA microarray analysis of IBC
Deputy Director and Member, Executive Committee
Wendy Woodward, MD, PhD
Providing conformal radiation therapy for patients with IBC; Characterizing radiation resistance in IBC stem cells Examining mechanisms of sensitizing IBC to radiation including targeting stem cell signaling pathways, signaling, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in IBC cells and tumor models
Click Here for more information on Dr. Woodward's Lab
Director, Clinical Research
Vicente Valero, MD, FACP
Investigating breast neoplasms, unusual histologies, new drug development, and clinical trials targeting health disparities; treating inflammatory breast cancer utilizing new biological agents, gene profiling, and clinical trials
Member, Executive Committee
James Reuben, PhD
Elucidating the role of EMT and cancer stem cells in IBC Characterizing the role of microRNA in IBC; developing new molecular-based technologies to detect circulating tumor cells (CTC) while evaluating stem cell properties in CTCs Providing laboratory support for monitoring and evaluating IBC patients on clinical trials
Special Advisor
Thomas Buchholz, MD
Defining optimal radiation treatment strategies; elucidating molecular and genetic factors that determine IBC development and treatment response
Core Leader
Anthony Lucci, MD
Investigating targetable networks in the aggressive sub-populations of IBC cells and metabolism in IBC Developing new laboratory-based assays to evaluate novel therapies against IBC Evaluate novel therapies in xenograft mouse models of IBC Determine the DTC and CTC status of IBC patients and maintain a database of test results and outcomes of IBC patients Investigate the molecular characteristics of DTCs and CTCs from IBC patients
Core Leader
Savitri Krishnamurthy, MD
Investigate molecular and biologic markers in IBC; Provide laboratory support for through tissue specimen preparation, interpretation, and ancillary techniques, including immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization
Core Leader
Wei T. Yang, MD
Direct imaging of IBC at staging, to include mammography, sonography, imaging-guided biopsy of index breast masses and regional lymph nodes Direct imaging-guided core needle biopsy of the breast for the IBC Registry; Direct research evaluation of IBC with MRI and PET/CT; Evaluate novel imaging techniques for the evaluation of response to targeted therapy of IBC patients using positron emission mammography (PEM) Evaluate radiologic-pathologic correlation of core needle biopsy samples of the breast for tumor celluairty and facilitation of molecular studies
Core Leader
Randa El_Zein, MD, PhD
Exploring the epidemiological factors associated with IBC; determining the role of viruses and IBC; Collaborating with international teams comparing IBC in the US with other high risk areas
Primary Investigator, Komen Promise Grant
Fredika Robertson, PhD
Characterizing the role of molecular subtypes in IBC disease progression Defining the genomic (mRNA and DNA), proteomic, methylation and microRNA signatures of IBC Identifying targets for IBC-specific therapies based on IBC specific signatures Evaluating epigenetic modulators for their effects on IBC tumor progression including clinically relevant histone deacetylase inhibitors and DNA methylation inhibitors Evaluating epigenetic modulators for their efficacy on IBC tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis Developing a panel of serum-based biomarkers for IBC diagnosis and tracking response to therapy
IBC Program Members
Analyzing the role of new targeted agents in IBC patients; investigating the role of anti-VEGF and the relationship with tumor interstitial fluid pressure (IFP)
Resection of primary tumor for Stage IV inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) Extent of surgical resection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Preclinical MR imaging (MRI) of small animals; Quantitation and parametric derivation from preclinical MRI (e.g., via DCE) and MR spectroscopy (MRS)
Providing tissue banking from IBC patients who are diagnosed and/or treated at MD Anderson Performing pathologic (morphologic and immunohistochemical) evaluation on IBC-related projects
Evaluating the utility of Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Advanced MR Imaging Techniques, such as MR Spectroscopy and MR Diffusion-Weighted Imaging, in IBC patients at the initial staging and for therapy response assessment
