[September 08, 2014]

Harvard Breast Cancer Cell Biologist and Institute of Cancer Research Breast Cancer Endocrinologist Named 2014 Susan G. Komen Brinker Awardees for Scientific Distinction

A cancer cell biologist from Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, and a breast cancer endocrinologist from the Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer Research in London, England, are being honored as this year's recipients of the prestigious Susan G. Komen® Brinker Awards for Scientific Distinction in Basic Science and Clinical Research, the highest awards of merit given by the world's leading breast cancer organization.

Joan S. Brugge, Ph.D., Louise Foote Pfeiffer Professor of Cell Biology, Director of the Ludwig Center at Harvard Medical School and Komen Scholar (Photo: Business Wire)

This year's Basic Science award will be presented to Joan S. Brugge, Ph.D., Louise Foote Pfeiffer Professor of Cell Biology, Director of the Ludwig Center at Harvard Medical School and Komen Scholar. Mitch Dowsett, Ph.D., F. Med. Sci., Head of the Academic Department of Biochemistry at the Royal Marsden Hospital, Professor of Biochemical Endocrinology, and Head of the Center for Molecular Pathology at the Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer Research in London, England, will receive the Clinical Research award.

Brugge is being recognized for her significant contributions to breast cancer research, which have been essential in advancing our understanding of the molecular and cell biology of breast cacer. Her creative approach to tackling questions in breast cancer biology has resulted in critical insights into the cellular processes and pathways that are involved in the normal development of breast cells, as well as breast cancer initiation, progression, and response to therapy.

Dowsett is being recognized for seminal contributions in understanding the hormonal basis of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, and translating this knowledge to the clinic in order to improve the efficacy of treatment and prevention of breast cancer. His translational approach to studying the endocrine aspects of breast cancer and biomarkers for breast cancer prognosis and treatment has led to the implementation of key treatments and identification of tumor markers that have advanced breast cancer care.

Komen's Chief Scientific Advisors Dr. Eric Winer and Dr. George Sledge said this year's awardees have made important contributions to the treatment of breast cancer and our understanding of the disease.

"Joan Brugge is one of the most influential cancer biologists in the breast cancer community. Her brilliance and dedication are immediately apparent to anyone she meets, and she has made an enormous contribution to the field. Joan is truly wonderful person with a huge heart and a passion to make the world a better place through scientific discovery," said Dr. Winer.

Of Prof. Dowsett, Dr. Sledge commented, "He has been a leader in the application of cutting-edge science to large clinical data sets. His leadership of several important translational studies in both the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings has transformed our understanding of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, improving our knowledge regarding prognosis and therapeutic benefit."

Komen has invested more than $804 million in breast cancer research since opening its doors in 1982, and is the largest nonprofit funder of breast cancer research outside of the U.S. government, currently funding more than 500 research grants worldwide.

The Brinker Awards for Scientific Distinction were established in 1992 to recognize the efforts of pioneers in two critically important areas of the fight to end breast cancer: Clinical Research and Basic Science.

Brugge and Dowsett will deliver keynote lectures on Dec. 10 at the 37^th annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, a major international gathering of breast cancer researchers, clinicians, and patient advocacy organizations from around the world being held Dec. 9-13 in San Antonio, Texas.

About Susan G. Komen ®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Suzy, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer. Today, Susan G. Komen® works to end breast cancer in the U.S. and throughout the world by investing more than $804 million in breast cancer research and $1.7 billion in community outreach programs over the past 30 years; providing funding to help low-income and uninsured women get screened and get treatment; advocating for cancer research and outreach programs; and working globally in more than 30 countries. Visit komen.org. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140908005156/en/

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