UPMC investigator recognized for contributions in translational breast cancer research
SAN ANTONIO — Steffi Oesterreich, PhD, received this year’s AACR Distinguished Lectureship in Breast Cancer Research.
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and American Association for Cancer Research — a cosponsor of SABCS — presented the award, supported by Aflac Inc.
The award recognizes outstanding science that has inspired or has the potential to inspire new perspectives on the etiology, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of breast cancer.
Oesterreich — who presented her award lecture at SABCS — received the award in recognition of her contributions in translational breast cancer research that advanced the scientific understanding of invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast. Her work laid the foundation for recognition in the clinical, research and patient advocacy realms that invasive lobular carcinoma is a unique biologic entity in breast cancer.
Oesterreich is Shear Family Foundation professor in the department of pharmacology and chemical biology at University of Pittsburgh and co-leader of the Cancer Biology Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Oesterreich also serves as codirector and director of education at the Women's Cancer Research Center, a collaboration between UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and the Magee-Womens Research Institute.
Oesterreich’s early work aimed to better understand ER alpha and anti-estrogen therapies. She served on the investigative team that reported the first naturally occurring ER activating mutation in breast cancer.
Oesterreich and colleagues also launched the first clinical trial focused exclusively on patients with invasive lobular carcinoma.