Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death, and––excluding skin cancers––is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in the United States. There are approximately 4,400 cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year in Indiana. IU Precision Health Initiative researchers have chosen to focus on a specific type of breast cancer called triple negative because, compared to other types of breast cancer, it is more aggressive and does not yet have a targeted therapy to reduce recurrence. The initiative’s triple negative breast cancer research team is about to wrap up its first Phase II clinical trial, which was funded by the Vera Bradley Foundation. The trial, called BRE 12-158, compares precision-guided therapy versus the current standard of care. By raising awareness through social media, the team doubled its patient enrollment rate and shaved two years off the clinical trial timeline, potentially speeding the time for the treatments to reach more patients.

Team Leadership

The triple negative breast cancer team is co-led by IU School of Medicine’s Bryan Schneider, MD, and Milan Radovich, PhD.

IU School of Medicine’s Bryan Schneider, MD, and Milan Radovich, PhD, talk about breast cancer, the promise of genomic medicine, and the most exciting areas of research on Healthcare Triage. The podcast is hosted by IU School of Medicine faculty member and New York Times contributor Aaron Carroll, MD.