Olufunmilayo (Funmi) I. Olopade, MB, BS, FACP

2009-2010 BCRF Project:
(made possible by generous support from Roche)

Changing breast cancer trends in the United States as a result of screening technology and improvements in treatment modalities demonstrate the potential for global advancement. Remarkable reductions in the burden of breast cancer have occurred during preceding years, as evidenced by time trends in cancer statistics. Mortality from breast cancer has shown consistent decline since its 1991 peak, dropping by an estimated 8.3% from 32.7 per 100,000 in 1991 to 24.4 per 100,000 in 2004 (a 2.2% yearly decrease in mortality rate). Therefore, for most Americans diagnosed with breast cancer, the prognosis is good. However, in other parts of the world, particularly Nigeria, breast cancer can be a death sentence.

As a unique practice model, Dr. Olopade's group has established the first collaborative team of investigators qualified to conduct breast cancer clinical trials in Nigeria, the most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa with a population of 140 million. They are now expanding these studies to other African nations. Thanks to BCRF, they are on the path of transforming breast cancer care in Africa. The Breast Imaging Suite of the University College Hospital Ibadan continues to fulfill its mandate of cancer screening in healthy woman and diagnostic imaging in symptomatic women using available imaging tools. In the last year, over 600 women have been screened consequently due to increased awareness. Many more women are also being referred for diagnostic work of palpable masses. Ultrasound-guided biopsies have become common requests either for histopathology or immunoassay specimens.

In a separate project based in Chicago, Dr. Olopade's studies address some of the most important questions in breast cancer. Why is breast cancer not one disease? Why do young women get breast cancer and what are the similarities between breast cancer in young women with BRCA1 mutations and breast cancer among young women in the general population without a family history? How should we screen for these highly proliferative tumors that may not be detectable by routine mammography? Why are they more aggressive than other breast tumors? Why are women of African ancestry more likely to develop ER negative, HER2 negative (basal-like/triple negative) breast cancers? Most importantly, how can we best achieve the promise of individualized therapies? Dr. Olopade's approach has been family based and her group has amassed resources. They are specifically investigating the role of the protein c-Myc in the expression of BRCA1 in highly aggressive (basal-like) breast cancer tumors. Their ultimate goal is to use this knowledge to develop more effective diagnostic tools and treatment therapies for all types of breast cancers.

Mid-Year Progress Report:
The team in Nigeria is currently screening patients for study enrollment at two sites—University College Hospital, Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife. They have established an immunohistochemistry (IHC) laboratory at the University of Ibadan to analyze samples collected through these research studies; however, the IHC lab has since expanded its scope, expertise and service to meet the needs of researchers and physicians working across Nigeria. To date, hundreds of samples from breast cancer patients and controls have been received from 14 health institutions throughout the country. In addition, the team has planned many successful outreach and advocacy programs and events, including the 2nd Annual Pink Month Public Symposium and several radio interviews with breast cancer experts, which have been widely broadcasted on popular Yoruba talk shows.

In the Chicago-based project, Dr. Olopade's team continues their focus on the protein c-Myc, too much of which can cause cell death. They have observed that another protein, beta-catenin, represses c-myc expression in cells of basal-like tumors. Therefore, they hypothesize that inhibiting beta-catenin in basal-like tumor cells will cause cell death. They hope their study on the potential role of beta-catenin inhibitors in killing basal-like cancer cells will eventually lead to the development of more effective treatment therapies against this highly aggressive form of breast cancer. Furthermore, since basal-like breast cancer typically has an early age onset, this research will specifically reduce mortality rates among young women suffering from breast cancer.

Bio:
Funmi Olopade directs a multidisciplinary clinical and laboratory research program in cancer genetics at the University of Chicago Medical Center. This program helps speed the transfer of basic research in cancer genetics to the benefit of people. Dr. Olopade combines extensive family studies with genetic testing to develop strategies for prevention and/or early detection in patients at high risk for cancer.

In October, 2008, in recognition of her work Dr. Olopade was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States.

Dr. Olopade is an international leader in the field of clinical cancer genetics, a field that seeks to identify and understand the various genes that contribute to cancer susceptibility, how these genes interact with one another and how they are affected by environmental factors. Her current laboratory research is focused on tumor suppressor genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 that predispose to breast and ovarian cancers. As a hematologist/oncologist, Dr. Olopade specializes in the treatment of aggressive breast cancer that disproportionately affects young women.

Dr. Olopade received her medical degree with distinction from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and served as a medical officer at the Nigerian Navy Hospital. She came to the United States as a resident in internal medicine at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, where she was named Chief Medical Resident. She did her Hematology/Oncology Fellowship training at the University of Chicago and was appointed to the faculty in 1991. A former James S. McDonnell Foundation Scholar, Dr. Olopade currently is a Doris Duke Distinguished Clinical Scientist.

Dr. Olopade is a member of many professional societies including the American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, American College of Physicians and the American Society of Breast Diseases. She serves on the Steering Committee of the NCI Cooperative Family Registry for Breast Cancer Studies and the Advisory Committee of the Cancer Genetics Network. Dr. Olopade is a member of the NCI Board of Scientific Counselors.