The Section of Breast Surgery is engaged in basic, translational, and clinical research, with a focus on early stage and in situ breast cancer.
Research Projects
Our current research efforts include:
- Breast cancer vaccine trials to prevent breast cancer development through immunotherapy
- Preinvasive cancer research to better understand how to prevent, diagnose, and treat DCIS
- Detecting tumor cells in the blood to track real-time response to treatment
- Development of technology to improve surgical care and better use electronic medical records
Advanced and Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program
Our comprehensive multi-disciplinary research and clinical team in the Department of Surgery, led by Gayathri Devi, MS, PhD, and Shelley Hwang, MD, is collectively focused on identifying the unique molecular, genomic, and immune characteristics associated with inflammatory breast cancer progression, developing preclinical and surgical methods for improved diagnosis and surgical outcomes, and the identification of novel therapeutic approaches, specifically for the treatment of inflammatory breast cancer. The ultimate goal is to improve the survival of inflammatory breast cancer patients.
Research Laboratories
BAM: Breast and More
Dr. Plichta’s research largely focuses on clinical outcomes, including breast cancer genetics, breast cancer risk, breast atypia, breast cancer in the elderly, breast surgery, and metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
Determinants of Progression in Early Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Research efforts led by Jeffrey Marks, PhD, and E. Shelley Hwang, MD, MPH, focus on the earliest stages of breast cancer. Working at the center of multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary projects on the disease, the Marks-Hwang laboratory studies the genetics, microenvironment, and evolution of early breast cancer.
Immunology, Inflammation, and Immunotherapy Laboratory
The research in this laboratory, led by Smita Nair, PhD, focuses on the designing and testing of novel vaccines against cancer and viral infections using murine and human assay systems.
Joseph Lo Lab
The lab focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer using advanced imaging techniques, including breast tomosynthesis, computer-aided diagnosis, and improved treatment planning for radiation therapy.
Phyllodes Tumor Research (PHYTR) Laboratory
Dr. Rosenberger and her multi-disciplinary team treat approximately 20-30 women with phyllodes annually at Duke and focus on advancing our understanding of these tumors.