Zhe-Bin Liu, MD, PhD, of China Receives 2013 Long-Term International Fellowship in Breast Cancer

Zhe-Bin Liu, MD, PhD, of Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, China, is the recipient of the 2013 Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO Long-Term International Fellowship (LIFe) in Breast Cancer, generously supported by The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The LIFe provides early-career oncologists in low- to middle-income countries with the support and resources needed to advance their training by helping them deepen their relationship with a United States or Canadian colleague and his or her institution. Through a 1-year medical fellowship, the recipient earns valuable training and experience with which they can affect change in cancer care in their home country.

Research Will Target Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Dr. Liu will be training at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute in Houston, Texas, under the mentorship of Jenny C. Chang, MD, Director of the Cancer Center at The Methodist Hospital and Chief of the hospital’s oncology division. Dr. Liu’s research project seeks to identify the key molecules and signaling pathways that drive the resistance of a tumor to chemotherapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer, which she hopes will serve as appropriate targets for the development of therapies that can overcome chemoresistance.

For Dr. Liu, the benefit of LIFe is the potential to make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients with breast cancer in China. “In China, treatments for triple-negative breast cancer are currently limited compared with other subtypes of breast cancer. In particular, the prevalence of locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer has increased significantly,” she noted.

Clifford Hudis, MD, FACP, Chairman of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board, and ASCO President, stated, “This LIFe award to Dr. Liu demonstrates the shared dedication of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, ASCO, and the Conquer Cancer Foundation to the promotion of research worldwide aimed at the prevention, control, and cure of breast cancer. We are delighted that the LIFe award fellowship will allow Dr. Liu to enhance her knowledge and skills so that she can contribute to improved treatment of patients in China.”

Visit www.conquercancerfoundation.org/LIFe for updates on the 2014 LIFe application and to make a donation in support of aspiring investigators like Dr. Liu who are working to improve the quality of cancer care. For additional infor­mation about The Breast Cancer ­Research Foundation, please visit www.­bcrfcure.org. ■