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Tumors of the breast and ovary are extremely heterogeneous and genetically complex, which is evident in their diverse and often unpredictable response to standard of care therapy. Early diagnosis and the ability to define optimal treatment strategies for each individual patient remains a significant challenge in oncology. The advent of microarray-based technologies has rapidly given rise to the identification of characteristic subclasses of breast tumors. Tumors within each molecular subclass have more predictable responses to therapy, which is most likely due to shared or similar underlying disease biology. Molecular sub-classifications are also being identified in ovarian and other solid tumors. These promising discoveries are not only revolutionizing development of more accurate diagnostic and prognostic assays, but also guiding therapeutic decision-making based on identifiable drivers of disease biology that can be exploited through novel targeted therapy.
Dr. Cunliffe’s research at TGen leverages knowledge gained through whole genome surveys to define and understand molecular mechanisms driving malignant progression of breast and ovarian cancers, including evolution of drug-resistance. The objective of her research is to dissect and functionally understand oncogenic signaling and tumor cell survival mechanisms within different biological contexts, and to translate these discoveries for enhanced clinical management for breast and ovarian cancer patients.
Biography
Dr. Cunliffe received her Ph.D. from the Department of Biochemistry at University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. She completed her postdoctoral training in the Cancer Genetics Branch of the National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, in Bethesda, MD. Her research as a postdoctoral fellow focused on the role of hormones and growth factors on the development and progression of breast cancer. Dr. Cunliffe joined TGen in 2004 to head the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research Unit, where she employs functional genomics approaches to elucidate molecular drivers of disease progression.
Dr. Cunliffe holds an adjunct faculty appointment in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University. She is also a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of Arizona College of Medicine‹Phoenix in partnership with Arizona State University. Dr. Cunliffe also serves on the Board of Directors of the Maricopa County YWCA.
Breast & Ovarian Cancer Research Unit
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