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Current breast cancer screening relies primarily on imaging, includingmammography, ultrasound and MRI. While these diagnostic modalities providethe opportunity for detection and successful treatment, the aim of the newAvon Foundation-funded research initiative is to pursue non-imaging techniquesthat offer compelling and innovative opportunities. In support of this noveldirection, 12 projects were selected through a competitive applicationprocess, with a total of $7.6 million awarded in support of their research.The projects, which are focused on fairly simple but effective methods, rangefrom developing a new "band-aid" dipstick that collects fluid from nippledischarge to several projects that attempt to measure markers in blood todetect the very earliest breast cancer development.
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The leaders of the research projects are meeting to present preliminaryfindings and share ideas in a spirit of collaboration and a shared commitmentto ending breast cancer. Included is one pharmaceutical company, A&GPharmaceutical, in addition to the individual medical researchers.
"The Avon Foundation is proud to support these researchers in theirinnovative approaches to breast cancer detection and prevention," stated MarcHurlbert, PhD, Director of the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. "Ourgoal is to advance research that will one day eradicate breast cancer and, atthe same time, facilitate collaboration and sharing. This meeting is a partof that critical process."
Bassem Haddad, MD, Georgetown University
Improving the diagnostic power of ductal lavage for early detection ofbreast cancer by assessing multiple molecular markers in the same specimen
Celina Kleer, MD, University of Michigan
Enhancer of Zeste2 as a biomarker of preneoplastic progression in thebreast
Susan Love, MD, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation
Development of a breast fluid test to identify women at risk for breastcancer
Emanuel Petricoin, PhD, George Mason University
Phosphopeptide biomarkers for early breast cancer detection in women withmammographically occult cancer
Ginette Serrero, PhD, A&G Pharmaceutical
Development of GP88 serum test for early breast cancer diagnosis
Charles Streckfus, DDS, MA, FAOM, University of Texas Health SciencesCenter at Houston
Identifying biomarkers for breast cancer detection in saliva
Sara Sukumar, PhD, Johns Hopkins / Seema Khan, MD, Northwestern
Gene methylation and estradiol levels in random FNA samples as biomarkersof breast cancer risk
The Breast Cancer Prevention Research Initiative is one of many programsof the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. The Avon Crusade first launchedin 1992, and, through 2007, more than $525 million has been raised in over 50countries worldwide to advance access to care and finding a cure for breastcancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Funding is awarded tobeneficiaries ranging from leading cancer centers to community-based nonprofitorganizations for breast cancer outreach and education; screening anddiagnostics; access to treatment; support services; and medical research. TheAvon Crusade is the largest initiative o
