
Adrian Lee, PhD
If not for BCRF/PFP, we would not have been able to characterize a novel interaction in breast cancer, which we believe can be targeted clinically.
Professor, Pharmacology and Chemical Biology
Professor, Human Genetics
Director of the Women’s Cancer Research Center,
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and
Magee Women’s Research Institute
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Areas of Focus: Metastasis and Tumor Biology
Current Research:
- Seeking to improve response to targeted IGF1R therapies by identifying which patients are most likely to respond.
- Laboratory studies are ongoing to identify biomarkers to select patients for a clinical trial with IGF1R inhibitors.
- This work may help to improve the response to a promising drug and outcomes for patients with aggressive breast cancers.
Targeted drugs are designed to target a protein or system in the cancer cell that is driving its growth. In this way, the drugs kill only the cancer cells and spare healthy cells. In spite of promising results in laboratory studies, however, many of these new agents fail in clinical trials. A key to their success in patients is knowing which patients are likely to respond. Dr. Lee is conducting studies to identify a biomarker that may select patients for targeted therapies that could benefit patients with triple negative and invasive lobular breast cancers.
BIO
Dr. Lee is Professor of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, and Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, and Director of the Women’s Cancer Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and Magee Women’s Research Institute. Dr. Lee received his B.Sc. and PhD in England, and came to San Antonio for his postdoctoral studies. He was subsequently recruited to Baylor College of Medicine and now the University of Pittsburgh.
The goal of Dr. Lee’s laboratory is to translate basic cell and molecular research findings into the understanding and treatment of breast cancer. Dr Lee serves on numerous other national peer-review committees, and is on the Scientific Advisory Council for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.