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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Center for Reproductive Science

Dr. Wenan Qiang spotlights breast cancer research and innovation

Randa Abboud, 2nd Year MS-RSM Graduate Student, October 1, 2022
wenan-qiang.jpgWhat does your research around breast cancer entail?

My current research on breast cancer involves developing clinically relevant patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and 3D tumor spheroid/organoid cultures. These models capture breast cancer tumor growth and metastasis patterns and are thus very valuable in evaluating current and investigational chemotherapies and personalized therapeutic strategies. In particular, I have been working collaboratively with Dr. Tom O’Halloran, Dr. Denana Miodragovic, and others to investigate arsenoplatins as potential anticancer therapeutics agents against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an especially aggressive form of breast cancer with limited treatment options.

What are the most innovations or advancements in breast cancer research?

Advancements in immunotherapy and genomic testing made possible by discoveries in human biology have changed and continue to change the way we approach breast cancer research and treatment. The innovative ability to identify mutations that may put an individual at risk for certain types of cancers as well as the ability to use novel targeted agents such as PARP inhibitors and antibody-drug conjugates to identify specific cancer markers unique to each patient are transforming personalize therapeutic strategies and even cancer prevention. Innovations in immunotherapy such as CAR-T cell therapy and treatment vaccines, and immune system modulators have also allowed us to “reeducate” the patient’s immune system to target the body’s own cancer cells, thus revolutionizing the therapeutic landscape and providing new opportunities for both patients with early-stage breast cancer and those in the advanced-stages of disease. Advances in omics technologies have shed light on the relevance of microenvironment heterogeneity in breast cancer. An improved understanding breast cancer unveils the dynamic relationship between cancer and the immune system and demonstrates the need to adopt a more comprehensive view of breast cancer as an ecosystem in order to better understand how to best tackle this malady.

Another important progress made in breast cancer research is the increasing diversity in clinical trials. People of different races, ethnicities, ages, and sexual orientations have varying physical, genetic, and environmental factors and vulnerabilities that come into play when it comes to breast cancer as well as other disease. Diversifying clinical trials explores potential differences in treatment efficacy and outcomes due to genomic and environmental variation, which I believe to be essential step in advancing precision medicine.

pink-ribbon.pngWhat does the future of breast cancer research and clinical care look like to you? What do you hope to see?

I think we often think and talk about breast cancer treatment as “treating breast cancer” when what we’re really doing or, rather, should be doing, as researchers and physicians is treating breast cancer patients. Of course, research and clinical efforts to cure breast cancer are indispensable, but we must remember a person is living and suffering from this disease— the patient must be at the forefront of everything we do. That’s why I incorporate and will continue to incorporate patient-driven research questions early in the research and preclinical process. These patient-driven research questions inform and improve all aspects of breast cancer research and treatment from research design to animal model selection to synthesis of new compounds for targeted therapy. Thus, my hope is to see more patient-centered research and more patient involvement in breast cancer research and clinical trials. Bridging the gap between patients, survivors, physicians, and the research community and forming meaningful collaborations will allow every community to better understand how to tackle breast cancer and the real-life impact of those efforts.

How can our community recognize, and support people affected by breast cancer?

I believe involving those affected by breast cancer such as patients, survivors, caregivers, and patient advocates in breast cancer research, treatment, and care are all significant ways the community can recognize and support those affected by breast cancer. Understanding and acknowledging the feelings and experiences of those affected by breast cancer will allow us to draw upon those feelings and experiences, to change the way we view and treat patients so we can provide real and effective support to those affected by this disease. To do so, we can organize research summits such as the Breast Cancer Researcher Survivor Summit and/or workshops where patients, survivors, patient advocates, physicians, research advocates, and researchers can share their thoughts and experiences and work collaboratively so we as a community can better understand how we can recognize, and support people affected by breast cancer and, more importantly, take the necessary steps to provide that recognition and support.

How can our center contribute to breast cancer awareness, support, and education?

Bridging any gaps between those developing and administering breast cancer treatment and care and those receiving it allows for a bidirectional understanding of these different yet inextricably linked experiences, which is crucial for spreading awareness, providing support, and promoting education. Whether it be inviting patients to tour research labs or involving community advocatory organizations in research projects, the CRS can facilitate these important interactions between anyone and everyone affected by breast cancer in our mission to make meaningful contributions to breast cancer awareness, support, and education. Additionally, by providing opportunities and guiding students and young professionals in the field, our center can further contribute to breast cancer awareness, support, and education, and more importantly, fulfill our responsibility to nurture the next generation of breast cancer researchers. 

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