Areas of research
Population studies
Breast cancer is known to impact different demographic groups with varied prevalence and outcomes. Population-based studies uncover disparities and risk factors that will aid in health equity, prevent disease development, and assist in the creation of predictive models to inform more effective treatment decisions. Research in this area spans from prevention through survivorship.
Members: Christine Ambrosone, Elizabeth Bouchard, Rikki Cannioto, Jia Fang, Zhihong Gong, Michael Higgins, Chi-Chen Hong, Thaer Khoury, Angela Omilian, Kenan Onel, Li Yan, Song Yao
Foundational breast cancer biology
Basic research of breast cancer biology is necessary to understand the disease and the many ways that things can go awry. Understanding the classical mechanisms breast cancer cells use to escape cell cycle regulation, elude cell death, avoid growth suppression, and evade the immune system allows researchers and clinicians insight into the many ways that disease can be effectively treated, blocked, and cured.
Members: Scott Abrams, Andrei Bakin, Anna Bianchi-Smiraglia, Gokul Das, Subhamoy Dasgupta, Sharon Evans, Jia Fang, Costakis Frangou, Irwin Gelman, Katerina Gurova, Michael Higgins, Erik Knudsen, Xuhang Liu, Hemn Mohammadpour, Elizabeth Repasky, Kazuaki Takabe, Jianmin Wang, Hai Wang, Lei Wei, Agnieszka Witkiewicz, Jianmin Zhang
Tumor evolution
Understanding the mechanisms responsible for cancer progression are necessary to reduce the impact of the disease and improve patient outcomes. The transition to metastatic disease is pivotal, as there is currently no cure for metastatic breast cancer. The tumor microenvironment is an integral mechanism that can enable cancer progression. Advanced imaging and single-cell identification has drastically advanced our understanding of the tumor microenvironment complexity and heterogeneity and will facilitate novel approaches to disease control.
Members: Scott Abrams, Andrei Bakin, Craig Brackett, Gokul Das, Subhamoy Dasgupta, Jia Fang, Sheheryar Kabraji, Erik Knudsen, Rikki Cannioto, Irwin Gelman, Pawel Kalinski, Xuhang Liu, Elizabeth Repasky, Kazuaki Takabe, Hai Wang, Jianmin Zhang
Precision medicine
Immune evasion, metabolic reprogramming, and metastatic progression all converge on the topic of biomarkers and drug resistance. Through advanced imaging and multi-omic approaches, our team has been able to more readily identify biomarkers that can inform individualized treatment options. This has enabled translatable findings that have assisted therapeutic decisions and reduced the probability of developing drug resistance.
Members: Scott Abrams, Christine Ambrosone, Anna Bianchi-Smiraglia, Gokul Das, Sheheryar Kabraji, Erik Knudsen, Kenan Onel, Elizabeth Repasky, Kazuaki Takabe, Jianmin Wang, Agnieszka Witkiewicz
Tumor immunology and immunotherapy
The immune system is a natural and powerful host defense network against disease, including cancer. Advances in developing innovative strategies, namely immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) or adoptive cell therapies, have led to promising results, as well as opportunities to define and overcome fundamental mechanisms that limit their full clinical impact.
Members: Scott Abrams, Anna Bianchi-Smiraglia, Craig Brackett, Rikki Cannioto, Subhamoy Dasgupta, Sharon Evans, Shipra Gandhi, Elizabeth Repasky
The immune system is a powerful player in the anti-breast cancer response and basic research into creative ways that we can harness it better, we believe, can transform the landscape of current therapeutic options.Scott Abrams, PhD
Tumor metabolism
Metabolic reprogramming is a key process that facilitates immune evasion and proliferative potential in breast cancer. Advances in metabolomics have also revealed key dependencies and vulnerabilities of breast cancer cells, allowing for individualized intervention.
Members: Anna Bianchi-Smiraglia, Gokul Das, Subhamoy Dasgupta, Xuhang Liu
Clinical research
A major strength of our Roswell Park team is the commitment to advancing translational research and driving treatment advancements through clinical trial participation. As a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the interconnectedness of the research laboratories and the clinic at Roswell Park allows for patient participation in cutting-edge treatments.
Members: Gokul Das, Shipra Gandhi, Sheheryar Kabraji, Pawel Kalinski, Ellis Levine, Kenan Onel, Elizabeth Repasky, Kazuaki Takabe, Agnieszka Witkiewicz