DF/HCC Program Affiliation

Cancer Genetics
Breast Cancer

Research Abstract

My research interest is the identification of novel diagnostics for breast cancer. Our effort is divided between genomics and proteomics. We have developed a novel high throughput methodology to detect germline DNA alterations in genes that are involved in risk of early onset cancer or somatic changes that impact tumor initiation, genesis and response to therapy. This methodology reduces the cost of sequencing by several orders of magnitude while maintaining the same sensitivity and specificity. We also have an ongoing effort to identify novel serum biomarkers by using mass spectrographic techniques. We are developing novel high throughput fractionation equipment with an engineering firm to facilitate detection of rare protein biomarkers that indicate the presence of breast cancer.

Publications

• Erkko H, Xia B, Nikkila J, Schleutker J, Syrjakoski K, Mannermaa A, Kallioniemi A, Pylkas K, Karppinen SM, Rapakko K, Miron A, Sheng Q, Li G, Mattila H, Bell DW, Haber DA, Grip M, Reiman M, Jukkola-Vuorinen A, Mustonen A, Kere J, Aaltonen LA, Kosma VM, Ka
  17287723
• Lee Y, Miron A, Drapkin R, Nucci MR, Medeiros F, Saleemuddin A, Garber J, Birch C, Mou H, Gordon RW, Cramer DW, McKeon FD, Crum CP.A candidate precursor to serous carcinoma that originates in the distal fallopian tube.J Pathol 2007 Jan;211(1):26-35.
  17117391
• Shi Q, Harris LN, Lu X, Li X, Hwang J, Gentleman R, Iglehart JD, Miron A.Declining plasma fibrinogen alpha fragment identifies HER2-positive breast cancer patients and reverts to normal levels after surgery.J Proteome Res 2006 Nov;5(11):2947-55.
  17081046