Two breast cancer researchers in the Baylor College of Medicine’s Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, part of the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, have been awarded grants from the Susan G. Komen Foundation to support their research in drug efficacy in treating triple-negative breast cancer and treatment resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer.
Xi Chen, PhD
MeghaShyam Kavuri, PhD
Xi Chen, PhD, Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology in the Breast Center, will receive $450,000 to determine the impact and efficacy of a drug called RE001 on triple-negative breast cancer. RE001 blocks XBP1, a protein commonly associated with the promotion of triple-negative breast cancer. Dr. Chen’s research will determine whether XBP1 is a viable treatment target in triple-negative breast cancer and whether RE001 can be advanced into a clinical trial.
MeghaShyam Kavuri, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Breast Center, also has been awarded $450,000 to aid research in identifying new drug targets in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, which has historically been resistant to long-term therapies.
Drs. Chen and Kavuri were presented with their Komen-sponsored white coats in December at the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. ■
