Bruce G. Haffty, MD

Dr. Haffty's research interest focuses on molecular and genetic factors that may be associated with radiation resistance and local-regional recurrence following treatment of breast cancer, which continues to be a significant pattern of failure, particularly in young women with breast cancer. His BCRF project relates to improving response rates with radiation by targeting the BCL-2 family of proteins, which are associated with resistance to radiation. His team has demonstrated and published in two separate journal articles in the past year that over-expression of BCL-2 and other BCL-2 family proteins is associated with higher recurrence rates. In the laboratory, Dr. Haffty and colleagues have targeted BCL-2 using several methods, including novel currently available anti-BCL-2 drugs, and have demonstrated improved breast cancer cell line response rates when radiation was combined with the anti-BCL-2 therapy. Ongoing laboratory and clinical studies are further evaluating the potential of utilizing BCL-2 inhibition in combination with radiation to improve outcomes.