Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has launched a center focused on the treatment and prevention of breast cancer-related cancers.
The BRCA genes can be inherited with a significant alteration that increases the risk of developing certain cancers. In addition, cancer patients can acquire mutations in the BRCA genes only in their tumor cells.
Dana-Farber announced Aug. 11 the launch of the Center for BRCA and Related Genes, which provides patients access to novel therapies for BRCA-mutated and BRCA-related cancers through clinical trials. The center's work also focuses on early detection of these diseases and driving research in the field through collaborations with investigators studying BRCA and related genes nationally and internationally.
Panos Konstantinopoulos, MD, PhD, director of translational research, gynecologic oncology at Dana-Farber is the new director of the center. Judy Garber, MD, chief of Dana-Farber's cancer genetics and prevention division, and Dipanjan Chowdhury, PhD, chief of the radiation and genome stability division at Dana-Farber, will serve as co-directors.
Editor's note: This article was updated at 3:07 p.m. CDT Sept. 1 to include Dr. Konstantinopoulos' role at director of the new center.