Clinical and Pathologic Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville TN

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: VICC SPORE IN BREAST CANCER (P50CA098131) This application is being submitted in response to the Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) identified as NOT-CA- 23-038. The overall goal of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) SPORE in Breast Cancer is to conduct collaborative, multidisciplinary and mechanism-based translational research that will have the highest possible impact for women and men with or at risk for breast cancer. This project for the Administrative Supplement for NCI Global Oncology Mentored Research will assess response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer in patients undergoing breast cancer treatment in Kijabe, Kenya through a formal mentored research relationship between researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a faculty member (a medical oncologist/radiation oncologist) at AIC Kijabe Hospital. Dr. Christine Mwakio (medical/radiation oncology) is an early-career low-middle income country researcher (ESLI) who is actively involved in the care of breast cancer patients in Kenya. She proposes a two-part study. First, she will evaluate the clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the relationship between response to therapy and patient demographics, tumor characteristics, social determinants of health and treatment regimen in patients diagnosed with breast cancer at Kijabe Hospital. Second, she will compare the molecular subtypes of breast cancer with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, correlating with residual cancer burden score in Kijabe, Kenya. Funds from this subcontract will support the salary of the ESLI, two research assistants, laptops for the research assistants to complete this project, funds to perform immunohistochemistry analysis on both breast biopsy specimens and surgical breast specimens, and use of public transportation for patients in the study to return to Kijabe, Kenya for follow-up. Dr. Ben Park (medical oncology) and Dr. Rondi Kauffmann (breast surgical oncology) comprise the research mentoring team at Vanderbilt. As primary mentor, Dr. Kauffmann will be responsible for career development and research project mentoring for the ESLI. In that role, she will meet with her weekly via zoom, will travel once to Kijabe, Kenya for training during the year, and will host the ESLI for training at Vanderbilt once during the year.