Banu Arun, M.D. 1990, University of Istanbul Medical School M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Breast Medical Oncology and Clinical Cancer Prevention Contact Information

Research Interests: breast cancer risk assessment; identification of risk markers, surrogate biomarkers and novel preventive and treatment agents

My research in the clinic and my laboratory is directed in identifying risk markers for breast cancer in breast tissue and serum/blood. A strong interest in our laboratory is evaluating the role of single nucleotide polymorphism in the Her-2/neu and insulin like growth factor (IGF) genes. Currently we are collecting blood from 1, 500 individuals for the analysis of these SNPs.

Our translational studies include the evaluation of potential breast cancer prevention agents. Specifically, we are interested in cyclooxygenase inhibitors and have recently completed accrual to a prospective celecoxib prevention trial. In our laboratories we are currently evaluating the modulation of proliferation and apoptosis markers in breast tissue of high risk women who were treated with celecoxib.

Another focus of our laboratory and clinical research is characterizing breast cancers in individuals with our without the BRCA mutation. We have created a clinical and research database of about 600 individuals. Depending on the GSBS student's interests, this database will serve a major source for evaluation of risk factors, pathologic characteristics of the breast cancers, response to therapy and survival. Furthermore, depending on the student's interest, serum and blood samples can also be analyzed for biomarkers, such proteomics or genetic modifiers.
____________

Sneige N, Liu B, Yin G, Gong Y, Arun BK (2006) Correlation of cytologic findings and chromosomal instability detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization in breast fine-needle aspiration specimens from women at high risk for breast cancer. Mod Pathol May;19(5):622-9.

Barcenas CH, Monawar Hosain GM, Arun B, Zong J, Zhou X, Chen J, Cortada JM, Mills GB, Tomlinson GE, Miller AR, Strong LC, and Amos CI (2006) Assessing BRCA Carrier Probabilities in Extended Families. J Clin Oncol 24:354-360.

Arun B and Goss P (2004) The role of COX-2 inhibition in breast cancer treatment and prevention. Semin Oncol 31(2:7): 22-29.