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Women’s Cancer Research Center (WCRC)

The Women’s Cancer Research Center (WCRC) is a collaboration between the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI). The mission of the WCRC is to reduce the incidence and death from women’s cancers. This mission is achieved through the development and fostering of vibrant basic, translational, and clinical research aimed at translating novel discoveries into improved patient care.

The WCRC provides a supportive environment for a programmatic approach by basic scientists, clinician scientists, clinicians, post-doctoral and clinical fellows, and graduate students. The research thrust is thoroughly integrated with the excellent basic, clinical, and clinical research programs already in place. Research programs focus mainly on breast and ovarian cancers, but also include other gynecological cancers. Integrated into the research program is an education component aimed at developing the next generation of researchers and physicians in women’s cancers.

Major research areas include:

  • Mechanisms of cancer initiation and progression
  • Hormone receptor action and resistance to hormone therapy
  • Risk assessment and reduction
  • Prevention
  • Molecular profiling of early disease and progression
  • Development and testing of new diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic biomarkers
  • Identification and testing of new targeted therapies
  • New imaging techniques, and integration into screening programs
  • Research on normal development of breast and ovaries

For more information, visit https://hillmanresearch.upmc.edu.

Current Studies

Projects and Findings of the WCRC

Adrian Lee Lab

Steffi Oesterreich Lab

  • Courtney L. Andersen, Matthew J. Sikora, Michelle M. Boisen, Tianzhou Ma, Alec Christie, George Tseng, Yongseok Park, Soumya Luthra, Uma Chandran, Paul Haluska, Gina M. Mantia-Smaldone, Kunle Odunsi, Karen McLean, Adrian V. Lee, Esther Elishaev, Robert P. Edwards, Steffi Oesterreich. Active estrogen receptor-alpha signaling in ovarian cancer models and clinical specimens. This paper is a multi-institutional collaboration between Magee/MWRI and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. It is also a great example for applying our breast cancer expertise on estrogen signaling to ovarian cancer, which Involves the scientific efforts of both breast cancer and gyn/onc folks, and demonstrates support from Dr Edwards gyn/onc SPORE. These studies further demonstrate the unique potential for development of biomarkers and clinical trial using endocrine therapy in patients with ovarian cancer.

Yi Huang Lab

Members

Members of the WCRC

  • Ronald Buckanovich, MD, PhD (Co-Director)
  • Adrian Lee, PhD
  • Robert Edwards, MD
  • Xin Huang, PhD
  • Yi Huang, MD, PhD
  • Faina Linkov, PhD, MPH
  • Priscilla McAuliffe, MD, PhD
  • Francesmary Modugno, MD, PhD, MPH
  • Carola Neumann, MD
  • Aleksandar Rajkovic, MD, PhD
  • Anda Vlad, MD, PhD
  • Mei Zhang, PhD

Additional Resources

Breast Cancer Education

Fundraising and Financial Assistance

Government Affiliates

Clinical Trials

Breast Cancer Support

Advocacy


WCRC Summer Program

The Women’s Cancer Research Center participates in UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy’s eight-week, hands-on summer program for high school students, primarily rising juniors and seniors, who engage in cutting edge cancer research by working in laboratories directed by dedicated faculty at six sites across the University of Pittsburgh campus.

To learn more and apply, visit http://hillmanacademy.upmc.com/apply-now/

Location

Women’s Cancer Research Center
Magee-Womens Research Institute
204 Craft Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15213

Contact

Co-Director

Ronald Buckanovich, MD, PhD

Administrator

Nadine Ryan
P: 412-641-7557
F: 412-641-2468
E: ryann@upmc.edu