Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

	Carlos L. Arteaga, M.D.
	Wei Zheng, M.D., Ph.D, M.P.H.

Breast Cancer Research Program

• Program Leader: Carlos L. Arteaga, M.D.
  Co-Leader: Wei Zheng, M.D., Ph.D.

Program Description

Scientific Goals
The Breast Cancer Research Program has a strong emphasis on breast epithelial cell and molecular biology, basic-science driven translational and clinical research, and molecular epidemiology. Main scientific goals of the BCP include the following:

1. To study the role of signaling by the erbB and TGFβ receptor networks on mammary development and neoplasia
2. To develop molecular classifications and/or biomarkers in breast cancer with an emphasis on preneoplasia
3. To conduct novel investigator-initiated clinical trials with an emphasis on molecular therapeutics
4. To use mass spectrometry and proteomic-based approaches to identify predictive factors of treatment response and invasiveness in DCIS
5. To conduct research of biomarkers and lifestyle risk factors for breast cancer development
6. To mentor and train students and post-doctoral fellows in breast cancer research

Areas of Research Program Expertise

The members of the Breast Cancer Research Program have expertise over a wide range of disciplines that cover the spectrum from molecular and cell biology to epidemiologic to translational and clinical research in breast cancer. Areas of expertise include:

• The role of polypeptide growth factor receptors and oncogenes in the progression of breast carcinoma as well as the development of molecular therapies in breast cancer.
• The study of signaling by the TGFß and erbB receptors in tumor and nontumor mammary epithelial cells.
• The study of mechanisms by which growth factors regulate the proliferation of epithelial cells. Areas of major focus include PLC-γ1, mechanisms of EGFR (erbB1) internalization and degradation, metalloprotease-mediated cleavage of erbB4 and its subsequent trafficking to the nucleus, mechanisms by which heat shock proteins stabilize erbB2 (HER2/neu), and expression and function of erbB4 in human breast cancer cells and primary breast tumors.
• The studies of molecular markers in pre-neoplastic lesions of the breast that predict for subsequent progression to invasive breast cancer
• Cell cycle check point responses and the role of p53 in cell outcome
• The implementation and conduct of investigator-initiated trials with novel molecular therapies
• The evaluation of etiologic factors and biomarkers through several large epidemiologic studies funded by the NCI that focusing on factors such as dietary intake and biomarkers, estrogen, insulin-like growth factors, insulin, and genetic susceptibility factors in relation to the risk of breast cancer.

Program Members

Program members and academic departmental affiliations are listed below.

• Carlos L. Arteaga, M.D., Vice Chancellor's Chair in Breast Cancer Research, American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor, Professor of Medicine and Cancer Biology, Director, VICC Breast Cancer Program
• Anuradha (Bapsi) Chakravarthy, M.D., Associate Professor
• Gautam Chaudhuri, Ph.D., Professor
• Ana M. Grau, M.D., Associate Professor of Surgery
• David H. Johnson, M.D., Deputy Director, Cornelius Abernathy Craig Professor of Medical and Surgical Oncology, Director, Division of Hematology/Oncology
• Mark C. Kelley, M.D., Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Associate Professor of Surgery
• Alecia Malin-Fair, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
• Lynn M. Matrisian, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Cancer Biology
• Ingrid Mayer, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology)
• Ingrid M. Meszoely, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery (Surgical Oncology), Clinical Director, Vanderbilt Breast Center
• Harold L. Moses, M.D., Director Emeritus, Hortense B. Ingram Professor of Molecular Oncology, Professor of Cancer Biology, Medicine and Pathology
• Gregory R. Mundy, M.D., John A. Oates Chair in Translational Medicine, Director, Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Professor of Medicine (Clinical Pharmacology), Pharmacology, Cancer Biology and Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation
• David E. Ong, Ph.D., Professor
• David L. Page, M.D., Professor of Pathology and Preventive Medicine
• Fritz F. Parl, M.D., Ph.D., Prof Pathology Dir Clinical Chem
• Jennifer A. Pietenpol, Ph.D., Director, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, B.F. Byrd Jr. Professor of Oncology, Professor of Biochemistry
• Melinda Sanders, M.D., Assistant Professor
• Jeffrey R. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine (Genetic Medicine) and Cancer Biology
• Marilyn Thompson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology (Meharry)
• Fen Xia, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor
• Wei Zheng, M.D., Ph.D, M.P.H., Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Public Health), Director, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center