Breast Cancer Research Initiative
Thank you to those who have submitted research grant proposals for the Coalition’s 2023 Breast Cancer Research Grant Initiative. Researchers affiliated with institutions in Western and portions of Central New York were welcome to apply.
The Breast Cancer Coalition annually offers a two breast cancer research grants:
- BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FACULTY Researchers ($50,000)
- The Pamela Delp Polashenski M.D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant ($25,000)
The grants are awarded to studies with the potential to yield significant medical breakthroughs in the cause and prevention of breast cancer, prevention of metastasis, and cure.
Since 2003, the Coalition has awarded $1,101,125 to researchers in Upstate and Western New York. See the grant recipient history. The 2024 grant application process will begin in late 2023. Contact Silvia for details.
2023 Grant Recipients
This year, the Coalition is supporting THREE LOCAL RESEARCHERS: one Breast Cancer Faculty Research Grant and two PhD candidates with the Pamela Delp Polashenski M.D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant.
The 2023 Breast Cancer Research Faculty Grant recipient:
Anushka Dongre, PhD, Cornell University, Faculty
Research title: “The mechanistic underpinnings of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and CD73-mediated immunosuppression in breast carcinomas.”
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cell-biological process that converts epithelial cells into mesenchymal states. The activation of the EMT program in breast cancer cells facilitates tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to cancer treatments. Preliminary data suggest that the EMT program could regulate the expression of CD73. CD73 is an enzyme that generates immunosuppressive adenosine, a powerful strategy employed by tumors to escape immunosurveillance. Dr. Dongre hypothesizes that the expression of CD73 is regulated by the activation of the EMT program and that the suppression of CD73 would promote the formation of anti-tumor T-cells, thereby sensitizing more mesenchymal breast tumors to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy.
The 2023 Pamela Delp Polashenski M.D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant recipient:
Nicole Dominique Sempertegui, PhD Candidate/Student, Cornell University
“Investigating the Regulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Behavior by Bone Mineralization and Breast Cancer-Derived Factors During Bone Metastasis.”
Loss of bone mineral and decreased bone density predict increased risk of bone metastasis. As tumor cells migrate in the skeleton and localize to specific regions, they interact with the Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). The interaction between tumor cells and MSCs determines if the tumor cells remain dormant or metastasize. This research studies the impact of bone mineralization on MSCs and how it ultimately affects breast cancer growth in bone.
The 2023 Pamela Delp Polashenski M.D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant recipient:
Emily Campbell Whitt, PhD candidate, University of Rochester
“Epigenetic Regulation of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Invasion and Metastasis.”
Epigenetics is the study of stable changes in cell function that do not involve alteration in the DNA sequence. Epigenetic alterations are changes in the chemical structure of DNA and associated proteins that do not change the DNA coding sequence. These modifications include the addition and removal of small chemical groups to histone, the proteins that DNA is wrapped around. The loss of one of these modifications on histone H4 causes breast cancer cells to become more invasive. Emily’s research investigates how the loss of this modification dysregulates gene expression and may promote cell invasion and metastasis.
About the Research Initiative
Funding research is a Coalition Pillar. We are committed to supporting and furthering breast cancer research. The Research Initiative, unusual for a nonprofit “grassroots” organization, is an integral part of the Coalition’s continuing efforts to eradicate breast cancer. The Initiative focuses on four areas of breast cancer research prioritized by the Coalition:
- Cause
- Prevention
- Prevention of Metastasis
- Cure
Coalition grant money is intended for use as “seed money” to fund innovative projects with the potential to yield significant medical breakthroughs. Through our funding, recipients are given the opportunity to generate the preliminary data required to apply for larger grants from major institutions.
The Research Advisory Board is a diverse group of researchers, scientists, clinicians, and survivor advocates. They keep the program up to date, review and score proposals, and make funding recommendations to the Board of Directors.
About the Pre and Post-Doctoral Trainee/Fellow Research Grant:
The Pamela Delp Polashenski M.D. Breast Cancer Research Trainee Grant was established in 2022, and will be offered annually to pre- and post-doctoral trainees/fellows this year and beyond. Dr. Polashenski, past Eastern Region Chief Medical Officer of Rochester Regional Health and internal medicine physician, was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 47 and quickly became involved with the Breast Cancer Coalition. A beloved wife, mother, and physician, she served on our Board of Directors and Research Advisory Board, and was committed to all efforts of our Advocacy Committee. Upon learning that her breast cancer had metastasized, Pam joined Common Ground, our networking group for those living with metastatic breast and/or gynecologic cancer. She leaves a lasting legacy in every aspect of our mission.
Questions?
Please contact Research Administrator, Silvia Gambacorta-Hoffman silvia@bccr.org or (585) 473-8177.
