Monica N. Fornier, MD

2012-2013 BCRF Project:
(made possible by generous support from The Estée Lauder Companies North America Supply Chain & Operating Facilities)
Co-Investigator: Angelo Di Leo, MD, PhD, Head of Sandro Pitigliani Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, Hospital of Prato, Istituto Toscani Tumori, Prato, Italy

Metabolomics is a science that provides a dynamic portrait of the metabolic status of a biological system. In breast cancer, there may be a detectable metabolomic signal. Drs. Di Leo and Fornier are exploring a potential prognostic role for serum metabolomic profiles - metabolites and small molecules - in patients with early breast cancer.

More specifically, Drs. Di Leo and Fornier are looking to explore serum metabolomic profiles from women with early breast cancer who have been assessed for the likelihood of their cancer returning through OncotypeDx, a laboratory test which analyzes tumor types by using a multi-gene signature. They have commenced analysis of serum samples from these patients and anticipate another year before this project reaches completion.

Mid-year Progress: There is much exciting data emerging about metabolic changes associated with breast cancer. Drs. Di Leo and Fornier are using metabolomics - the study of metabolites - to explore a model in which serum detectable metabolic profiles correlate with disease recurrence. This work might refine prognostication in individuals with early stage breast cancer.

Bio:
Dr. Monica Fornier is an Assistant Member at the Breast Cancer Medicine Service of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and specializes in the treatment of breast cancer. She is also an Assistant Professor at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital

Dr. Fornier graduated summa cum laude at the University of Milan (Italy); she pursued her Oncology fellowship at the National Cancer Institute of Milan, under the mentorship of Dr. Gianni Bonadonna, and a second fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, under the mentorship of Dr. Larry Norton. She is currently a member of the Faculty at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where she conducts clinical research in breast cancer. Dr. Fornier has been involved in the development and conduction of numerous clinical trials assessing novel drugs and drug scheduling strategies for the treatment of breast cancer, both in the adjuvant and metastatic setting.

Dr Fornier is an active member of various national and international scientific groups, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the European Society of Medical Oncology. Dr Fornier has numerous publications to her name and has presented data at international meetings.