Connecticut Breast Health Initiative

University of Connecticut Health Center

Early Detection of Cardiotoxicity by Advanced Cardio-Imaging and a Novel Biomarker in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Awarded $50,000

About this Project:

The advent of modern cancer treatment has significantly improved the outcome of patients with cancer and, for the first time, has introduced survivorship as a theme in their management. Connecticut has the second highest rate of breast cancer in the country.  As more anticancer drugs are under investigation by the food and drug administration (FDA), there is a need for clear consensus or guideline to assure safe approval of these agents.  Cardiovascular disease has become a leading cause of death among breast cancer survivors; it is, therefore, imperative to investigate ways to prevent heart injury from anticancer medications, without interfering with the great benefit of that treatment.  There is a growing expectation for a newer, noninvasive, and highly predictive diagnostic algorithm that will detect early subclinical cardiotoxicity.  This can only be accomplished, however, with careful investigation utilizing both advanced imaging and novel biomarkers.

Yale Cancer Center

Combination Targeting of IGF-I Receptor and HER2 in Breast Cancer

Awarded $50,000

About this Project:  

This project studies interactions between three receptors in the breast tumors. One of these receptors, IGF1R, may play a role in resistance to drugs such as Herceptin and Tamoxifen that specifically target the other two receptors, HER2 and ER respectively. In addition, HER2 is one member of a family of four similar receptors that work cooperatively to make cancer cells grow. It has been discovered that a cancer’s use of the other receptors in the family may play a role in resistance to drugs that only target one of these receptors. Therefore, it may be more effective to inhibit all of the receptors rather than just one.  CTBHI has been funding this project for the past three grant funding years and continues to support its progress.

University of Connecticut Health Center

Investigation of the Ability of the UCONNS (University of Connecticut OsteoNecrosis Numerical Scale) to Predict the Risk for the Developing Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Women Receiving Bone-Modifying Therapies for Breast Cancer.

Awarded $50,000

About this Project:  

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), first reported in 2003, is a serious clinical condition where exposed bone in the mouth persists for more than 6-8 weeks in spite of conservative therapy.  This condition has been associated with the use of nitrogen-containing biophosphonates (BPs), and another medication, Denosumab, both of which are used in cancer therapy.  Thus, ONJ can interrupt this important treatment regimen.  Despite recent research, the ability to predict which patients will develop this condition has remained elusive.  The cause of ONJ is not clearly defined, and there are a number of clinical and possibly genetic risk factors that likely contribute to its development.

The UCONNS scale was developed by the investigators who took their research employers famous abbreviation and incorporated it into their work as a name for the assessment tool they are using in the study.

St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport

Education Grant for The High Risk Women’s Clinic

Awarded $25,000

About this Project:

The High Risk Women’s Clinic will provide a system of education and support for an underserved population of Bridgeport women who have limited access to healthcare and genetic testing. This study will compare compliance in high-risk women who are seen at the Clinic to those who were not seen.  The project will also collect data on possible variables, including race, surgeon, and education level that may have affected access to interventions based on high-risk status.  The proposed research findings will be used to secure additional funds to permanently support a High Risk Women’s Clinic, which will provide individualized care for women at a greater risk for breast cancer.