Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Breast Cancer

by Mary Ruth Helms — last modified Feb 28, 2011 02:20 PM

Researchers, clinicians and public health specialists at UNC and UNC Lineberger are working diligently to find new ways of detecting, treating and preventing breast cancer. Their work begins with the National Cancer Institute-funded Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Breast Cancer, one of eleven in the country.

Originally funded in 1992, the UNC SPORE in Breast Cancer has created an outstanding program in translational research. Its current five projects are conceptually linked by studies of breast cancer molecular phenotypes, particularly those with the worst prognosis: basal-like tumors, luminal B tumors, and tumors that overexpress HER2. These projects are led by basic and clinical science teams and include the following:

Carolina Breast Cancer Study: Genetic susceptibility for breast cancer subtypes in African Americans and whites
Breast cancer vaccine strategies for HER2 and luminal B tumors
Determination of breast cancer subtype sensitivities to standard chemotherapy and combination chemotherapy-biologic regimens
Molecular portraits of human breast cancer endothelium
HER4 Isoforms: Tumor suppressor action and prognostic significance