Bruce G. Haffty, MD

2008-2009 BCRF Project:
The p53 Binding Protein, 53BP1, is commonly expressed in breast cancers. Loss of expression of this protein may be associated with more aggressive behavior of cancers. Dr. Haffty and colleagues have found in a sample of 500 patients with early stage breast cancers, that lack expression of 53BP1 correlates strongly with triple negative breast cancers, and also correlates strongly with distant metastasis among the triple negative cancers. They have also conducted studies looking at variations in the gene that codes for 53BP1, and find that these variants correlate with age of onset of disease, race, and development of bilateral breast cancers. Basic science experiments to help understand the biological and molecular basis of these findings are underway.

Mid-year Progress Report:
The researchers have found to date that lack expression of 53BP1 correlates strongly with triple negative breast cancers, and also correlates strongly with distant metastasis. The gene encoding for 53BP1 is known to have certain genetic changes in about 20% of the population. The researchers have found these genetic changes are more common in African-American breast cancer patients and are in the process of comparing breast cancer and normal control patients, to determine the significance of these genetic changes. They have also identified higher local relapse rates in those patients with polymorphisms in the 53BP1 gene and are further evaluating the significance of these findings. Finally, in a series of more basic science experiments, they are evaluating the sensitivity of cells with and without 53BP1 expression to determine how the response to therapy may vary with expression of this protein.

Bio:
Bruce G. Haffty, MD, is currently Professor and Chairman, Dept of Radiation Oncology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and New Jersey Medical School and Associate Director of Clinical Sciences, Cancer Institute of New Jersey. His medical school training was at Yale School of Medicine, followed by an internship in internal medicine, residency and chief residency in the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital. Since completion of residency, Dr. Haffty spent the majority of his academic career at Yale School of Medicine, Department of Therapeutic Radiology, where he was a Professor of Therapeutic Radiology, served as residency program director from 1992 through 2004, Vice Chairman and Clinical Director from 2002-2005. He moved to the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Cancer Institute of New Jersey in 2005.

Dr. Haffty's clinical areas of expertise include breast cancer and head and neck cancer, for which he is internationally recognized. He has had numerous research grants and conducts clinical and translational research in his chosen areas of expertise. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, 30 book chapters, and numerous editorials and letters. He recently completed editing a comprehensive book, Handbook of Radiation Oncology. He is consistently listed as one of the country's leading physicians by Best Doctors in America, Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, America's Top Doctors, Top Doctors for Cancer, and Top Doctors in New York and New Jersey.

In addition to a busy clinical practice, Dr. Haffty has served on numerous national committees related to research and education in radiation oncology, serves on the Editorial Board of numerous Medical Journals, and has mentored many medical students, trainees and junior faculty in conducting clinical and translational research. He is currently an Associate Editor of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, serves on the Executive Committees of the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and American Radium Society, and Board of Directors of ASTRO. He is co-chairman of the BOOST program for RSNA, and currently serves as Chairman of the Residency Review Committee in Radiation Oncology, and a radiation oncology Trustee of the American Board of Radiology. Dr. Haffty is President of the American Radium Society, and President-Elect of the American Board of Radiology.