Barbara A. Parker, MD

2009-2010 BCRF Project:
Translocations are cancer-specific changes that, historically, have led to highly effective, minimally toxic therapies in other cancers. The discovery of common translocation events in breast cancer could be a critical first step toward improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer.

During the past year, members of Dr. Parker's group have developed new approaches in cancer models necessary to detect potential chromosomal translocation events in human breast cancer. They have acquired human breast cancer tissues for testing these techniques. Additionally, they have performed bioinformatic analysis of existing information to identify genes likely to be involved in translocation events associated with the development of breast cancer. These studies are continuing.

Mid-Year Progress Report:
Members of Dr. Parker's group have developed new sequencing approaches in cancer models necessary to detect potential chromosomal translocation events in human breast cancer. They have acquired human breast cancer tissues for testing these techniques, and also have performed analysis of existing databases to identify genes likely to be involved in translocation events associated with the development of breast cancer.

Bio:
Dr. Parker received her M.D. degree from Stanford University and completed her internal medicine and medical oncology training at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). She joined the faculty in the Hematology/Oncology division of the UCSD Department of Medicine. She then moved to Ligand Pharmaceuticals as the Director of Oncology Clinical Research, rising to the level of Senior Medical Director of Clinical Research. She returned to UCSD as Professor of Clinical Medicine in 1999. She is currently the Medical Director of Oncology Services at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center.

Dr. Parker is interested in novel therapies for the treatment of breast cancer, the impact of diet on breast cancer outcomes and quality of life issues of breast cancer survivors. She is the Principal Investigator for the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) clinical trials at UCSD and serves on the Prevention Committee of CALGB. Dr. Parker is the Medical Director (Principal Investigator, Dr. John Pierce) for the WHEL Diet Study of over 3000 breast cancer survivors and collaborates with Dr. Sonia Ancoli-Israel in studies of sleep and fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.