Where your donations go
100% of the funds raised by the Chapel Hill Breast Cancer Foundation go directly to supporting discovery phase breast cancer research projects at Duke, UNC and Wake Forest Universities.
Research at UNiversity of north carolina
On behalf of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, I am very pleased to report on the great progress our scientists and care providers are making in the fight against breast cancer thanks to the incredible efforts of the Chapel Hill Breast Cancer Foundation.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States, and UNC Lineberger scientists and care providers work together every day to give patients “today’s best care and tomorrow’s best hope.” Philanthropic commitment and community initiatives like this one are key ingredients in our efforts to integrate care and research. Not only are your donations important in funding our progress, they inspire patients, care providers and scientists who know their fight is supported by a passionate community. Thank you! |
Click here to read more about breast cancer research highlights from UNC Lineberger
over the past year:
Researchers Identify Genetic ‘Seeds’ of Metastatic Breast Cancer
Most deaths from breast cancer occur when the cancerous cells spread throughout the
body. In a new study, UNC Lineberger researchers have identified genetic clues that
explain how cancer cells move throughout the body. These findings can help
researchers develop better treatments for cancer patients and interventions to prevent
tumors from spreading.
The study, led by UNC MD/PhD program student Marni Siegel, analyzed tumor cells
from patients collected by the UNC Breast Tumor Donation Program and found that the
cancer does not migrate as single cells but as clumps that break away from the initial
tumor site.
“This was a very difficult study to do, but it allowed us to take a snapshot of both the
primary tumor, and the tumor after it had spread, in order to trace its evolution,” said
Siegel.
Studies Show Genetic Factors in Breast Cancer Survival Gap Between Black and
White Women
Although the odds for developing breast cancer are nearly identical for Black and white
women, Black women are 42 percent more likely to die from the disease. This mortality
gap is driven by social, environmental, and genetic factors.
Researchers at UNC Lineberger focus on each of these factors, including two major
studies published last year by Chuck Perou and Melissa Troester that examined genetic
factors for the disparities. Both studies found that black women are more likely to get an
aggressive breast cancer type.
The first study sought to understand this gap via “ancestry-based” analysis of the
difference in biology and genetics of Black and white women’s tumors. Findings from
this study could lead to more personalized risk assessment for women of African
heritage and hasten the development of novel approaches designed to diagnose
specific subtypes of aggressive breast cancers early and treat them effectively.
The second study analyzed 1,000 invasive breast cancer tumors to show that a higher
proportion of the aggressive “triple negative” and “basal-like” subtypes are seen in Black
women. The study findings help to explain a gap in mortality that exists between Black
and white women with breast cancer and could lead to improved treatment approaches
to help close it. The study also identified that younger Black women with hormone-
receptor positive, HER2-negative breast cancer have a higher risk of recurrence.
Researchers Unlock Mechanism of Drug Resistance in Aggressive Breast Cancer
Breast cancer cells can find new ways to evade drugs designed to target them. In a new
study, researchers uncovered a mechanism of resistance used by a particularly
aggressive breast cancer type and revealed a potential drug combination that could
hinder growth and prevent resistance.
When treated with common anti-cancer drugs such as trametinib, tumor cells can
adaptively reprogram themselves to resist future treatments, causing patients to see
initial improvements with treatment followed by a rebound. UNC Lineberger researchers
discovered how to stop the cells from reprogramming themselves in the lab and prevent
the cells from developing a resistance to the drugs.
“Tumor cells are extremely adaptive and responsive. When you treat patients with
kinase inhibitors there is often a strong initial arrest of tumor growth, but, invariably,
resistance develops,” said Gary L. Johnson, PhD, a UNC Lineberger member and
Kenan Distinguished Professor in the UNC School of Medicine Department of
Pharmacology. “We learned how to arrest the adaptive reprogramming and make the
tumor remain vulnerable to the drug. Thus, we blocked the onset of resistance.”
over the past year:
Researchers Identify Genetic ‘Seeds’ of Metastatic Breast Cancer
Most deaths from breast cancer occur when the cancerous cells spread throughout the
body. In a new study, UNC Lineberger researchers have identified genetic clues that
explain how cancer cells move throughout the body. These findings can help
researchers develop better treatments for cancer patients and interventions to prevent
tumors from spreading.
The study, led by UNC MD/PhD program student Marni Siegel, analyzed tumor cells
from patients collected by the UNC Breast Tumor Donation Program and found that the
cancer does not migrate as single cells but as clumps that break away from the initial
tumor site.
“This was a very difficult study to do, but it allowed us to take a snapshot of both the
primary tumor, and the tumor after it had spread, in order to trace its evolution,” said
Siegel.
Studies Show Genetic Factors in Breast Cancer Survival Gap Between Black and
White Women
Although the odds for developing breast cancer are nearly identical for Black and white
women, Black women are 42 percent more likely to die from the disease. This mortality
gap is driven by social, environmental, and genetic factors.
Researchers at UNC Lineberger focus on each of these factors, including two major
studies published last year by Chuck Perou and Melissa Troester that examined genetic
factors for the disparities. Both studies found that black women are more likely to get an
aggressive breast cancer type.
The first study sought to understand this gap via “ancestry-based” analysis of the
difference in biology and genetics of Black and white women’s tumors. Findings from
this study could lead to more personalized risk assessment for women of African
heritage and hasten the development of novel approaches designed to diagnose
specific subtypes of aggressive breast cancers early and treat them effectively.
The second study analyzed 1,000 invasive breast cancer tumors to show that a higher
proportion of the aggressive “triple negative” and “basal-like” subtypes are seen in Black
women. The study findings help to explain a gap in mortality that exists between Black
and white women with breast cancer and could lead to improved treatment approaches
to help close it. The study also identified that younger Black women with hormone-
receptor positive, HER2-negative breast cancer have a higher risk of recurrence.
Researchers Unlock Mechanism of Drug Resistance in Aggressive Breast Cancer
Breast cancer cells can find new ways to evade drugs designed to target them. In a new
study, researchers uncovered a mechanism of resistance used by a particularly
aggressive breast cancer type and revealed a potential drug combination that could
hinder growth and prevent resistance.
When treated with common anti-cancer drugs such as trametinib, tumor cells can
adaptively reprogram themselves to resist future treatments, causing patients to see
initial improvements with treatment followed by a rebound. UNC Lineberger researchers
discovered how to stop the cells from reprogramming themselves in the lab and prevent
the cells from developing a resistance to the drugs.
“Tumor cells are extremely adaptive and responsive. When you treat patients with
kinase inhibitors there is often a strong initial arrest of tumor growth, but, invariably,
resistance develops,” said Gary L. Johnson, PhD, a UNC Lineberger member and
Kenan Distinguished Professor in the UNC School of Medicine Department of
Pharmacology. “We learned how to arrest the adaptive reprogramming and make the
tumor remain vulnerable to the drug. Thus, we blocked the onset of resistance.”
Research at Wake Forest University
Click here to read more about Innovative clinical trials with unique investigator-
initiated trials
prescribed hormone blocker on the composition of the gut microbiome (flora).
Trial led by Dr. Katherine Ansley.
Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. We are studying the combination of
trilaciclib, an intravenous cyclin dependent (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor, pembrolizumab,
with chemotherapy in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, a difficult to treat
type of breast cancer, to see if this is effective in shrinking or making tumors
disappear. Trial led by Dr. Antoinette Tan.
cardiovascular impact of near complete estrogen deprivation in young women
with breast cancer. The study hopes to provide better understanding of the
cardiovascular consequences of breast cancer treatments so that we do not
offset the gains we have made in breast cancer survival with early-onset
cardiovascular disease. Trial led by Dr. Emily Douglas.
initiated trials
- Targeting gut microbiome in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: The
prescribed hormone blocker on the composition of the gut microbiome (flora).
Trial led by Dr. Katherine Ansley.
- Augmenting immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer: ToPCourT: A Phase
Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. We are studying the combination of
trilaciclib, an intravenous cyclin dependent (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor, pembrolizumab,
with chemotherapy in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, a difficult to treat
type of breast cancer, to see if this is effective in shrinking or making tumors
disappear. Trial led by Dr. Antoinette Tan.
- Cardiovascular impact of near complete estrogen deprivation in premenopausal
cardiovascular impact of near complete estrogen deprivation in young women
with breast cancer. The study hopes to provide better understanding of the
cardiovascular consequences of breast cancer treatments so that we do not
offset the gains we have made in breast cancer survival with early-onset
cardiovascular disease. Trial led by Dr. Emily Douglas.
research at duke UNIVERSITY
The members of the Duke Breast Oncology Program (BOP) are committed to improving
the lives of patients and families who are touched by breast cancer in our local
communities, nationally, and globally. We are actively engaged in efforts to address the
needs of our most vulnerable patients through educational events, community outreach,
support, and research to improve the lives and outcomes of the patients we serve.
Outstanding World Class Research is a priority at Duke. Our labs scientists are
focused on developing transformative technologies for prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of breast cancer. This research takes discoveries directly from our lab to our
patients.
Click here to read more
the lives of patients and families who are touched by breast cancer in our local
communities, nationally, and globally. We are actively engaged in efforts to address the
needs of our most vulnerable patients through educational events, community outreach,
support, and research to improve the lives and outcomes of the patients we serve.
Outstanding World Class Research is a priority at Duke. Our labs scientists are
focused on developing transformative technologies for prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of breast cancer. This research takes discoveries directly from our lab to our
patients.
Click here to read more
- The Duke Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic (BRAC) is led by Dr. Jennifer
Plichta. This signature program is designed to inform patients about their personal
risk for breast cancer, and how to reduce this risk through lifestyle interventions,
clinical trials, and new drugs for breast cancer prevention.
https://www.dukehealth.org/locations/duke-breast-risk-assessment-clinic - Dr. Shelley Hwang leads the Program in Precision Treatment of Precancers. This
pioneering research program focuses on what causes breast cancer to develop and
how to prevent breast abnormalities from turning into cancer. The goal of our team is
to improve diagnosis and treatment for the earliest precancers (ductal carcinoma in
situ; DCIS) and breast cancers. https://surgery.duke.edu/divisions/surgical-
oncology/research/research-laboratories/determinants-progression-early-breast-and-
ovarian-cancer - Dr. Laura Rosenberger ‘s Phyllodes and Rare Breast Cancer Lab is a leader in the
country studying these rare tumors. About 5% of breast cancers are made up of rare
types of breast cancer, such as phyllodes tumors and sarcomas. Because they are
infrequently encountered, little is known about how to best care for these unique
patients. The Rare Breast Cancer Registry collects tissue and data in order to
improve our understanding of these rare tumors, thus driving advances in diagnosis
and treatment. https://surgery.duke.edu/divisions/surgical-
oncology/research/research-laboratories/phyllodes-tumor-research-phytr - The Breast Cancer Disparities Lab, led by Dr. Maggie DiNome, studies why Black
women in the U.S. develop more aggressive types of breast cancer and experience
higher breast cancer mortality than White women. We work to better understand this
problem and to develop new treatments to reduce these disparities.
Dr. Ann Marie Pendergast, PhD, is conducting a pilot study that has been approved for
a clinical trial to better understand the signaling pathways that help breast cancer
spread (metastasize) to the brain. She has found ways to use a particular leukemia drug
to inhibit a pathway that leads to breast cancer metastasis in general, and she is testing
this inhibitor in mice to find out if it can stop metastasis to the brain. Breast cancer is the
second most common cause of cancer death for women worldwide, and metastases
account for the vast majority of deaths from breast cancer.
The Young Women’s Breast Cancer Program was created because breast cancer is
particularly difficult for our younger patients who are balancing their families, jobs, and
fertility concerns, in addition to breast cancer treatment. Our Young Women’s Breast
Cancer Program provides specialized support to help our patients navigate through
these complexities.
The Breast Cancer Survivorship Program helps patients to address issues that can
arise after completing cancer treatment. Through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary
approach including symptom management, group sessions, and physical/psychosocial
therapy, we provide patients tools and support to maintain a high quality of life after
cancer treatment.
Creating a highly trained, diverse workforce has the potential to create sustainable
improvements in health both at home and abroad. Locally, we will create a path for high
school and college students to gain opportunities to shadow a Duke surgeon and be
immersed in the work and life of our gifted breast cancer providers. Globally, we partner
with oncologists in Moshi, Tanzania, to expand training and workforce capacity in
international breast cancer care.
a clinical trial to better understand the signaling pathways that help breast cancer
spread (metastasize) to the brain. She has found ways to use a particular leukemia drug
to inhibit a pathway that leads to breast cancer metastasis in general, and she is testing
this inhibitor in mice to find out if it can stop metastasis to the brain. Breast cancer is the
second most common cause of cancer death for women worldwide, and metastases
account for the vast majority of deaths from breast cancer.
The Young Women’s Breast Cancer Program was created because breast cancer is
particularly difficult for our younger patients who are balancing their families, jobs, and
fertility concerns, in addition to breast cancer treatment. Our Young Women’s Breast
Cancer Program provides specialized support to help our patients navigate through
these complexities.
The Breast Cancer Survivorship Program helps patients to address issues that can
arise after completing cancer treatment. Through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary
approach including symptom management, group sessions, and physical/psychosocial
therapy, we provide patients tools and support to maintain a high quality of life after
cancer treatment.
Creating a highly trained, diverse workforce has the potential to create sustainable
improvements in health both at home and abroad. Locally, we will create a path for high
school and college students to gain opportunities to shadow a Duke surgeon and be
immersed in the work and life of our gifted breast cancer providers. Globally, we partner
with oncologists in Moshi, Tanzania, to expand training and workforce capacity in
international breast cancer care.
Your past donations are making a difference today.
Today's donations will make a difference tomorrow.
Today's donations will make a difference tomorrow.