Robert J. Schneider, PhD

A unique understanding of the genetic and molecular characteristics of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) has emerged from an international multi-ethnic study funded by BCRF, conducted by Drs. Schneider and Formenti. Their research has disclosed the importance of the mTOR/4E-BP1 biochemical pathway and its control of tumor protein synthesis in LABC and inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). These findings have led to the development of new approaches for the treatment of LABC and the ongoing development of a new drug to inhibit breast tumor angiogenesis. The researchers have shown that a component in the mTOR pathway that when overexpressed is important for development of a locally advanced breast cancers, is inactivated or lost with progression to metastatic disease and may be an inhibitor of progression to metastasis. They have also shown that inflammatory breast cancer is a unique form of breast cancer genetically and molecularly distinct from locally advanced breast cancer, and they have identified a key gene in part responsible for the very aggressive basis of this disease.

Recent evidence suggests that the site of original lumpectomy may derive a direct biological effect by treatment with ionizing radiation (IR) that not only reduces tumor recurrence locally, but decreases the likelihood of metastasis. New studies are proposed to study the biological effects of IR to understand how it alters the composition and characteristics of the site of the removed tumor, reducing the ability of breast cancers to recur locally and throughout the body.

Bio:
Dr. Schneider is a co-director of translational cancer research, a co-director of the breast cancer research program and Professor of Microbiology at the New York University School of Medicine. His lab focuses on mechanisms of cellular transformation mediated by genetic alteration of oncogene and cytokine mRNA stability and translation, the mechanisms by which regulation of cellular protein synthesis is altered to promote malignant development in breast cancer and by oncogenic viruses, and the molecular mechanism for development of liver cancer by hepatitis B virus. Initiating with his postdoctoral research studies at Princeton University, and continued at NYU, Dr. Schneider has elucidated fundamental cellular processes of genetic deregulation which are associated with development of carcinomas by human tumor viruses and in nonviral carcinomas.

Dr. Schneider received his PhD from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and completed postdoctoral training at Princeton University in tumor virus-host cell interactions. He is the recipient of several awards for his accomplishments, including an Irma T. Hirschl Career Scientist Award. For his research on hepatitis B virus and liver cancer, he received an Eminent Researcher Award from the Indian Research Council, and Medical and Scientific Consultant from the People's Republic of China.