The SPORE (Specialized Programs of Research Excellence) in Breast Cancer is currently in year 06, supported by a no-cost extension from the National Cancer Institute. An application to renew the SPORE for an additional five years was submitted on February 1, 2006. Although its mission is unchanged from that of the current SPORE, and much of the infrastructure that was developed during the current SPORE will remain in place, the proposed renewal Breast SPORE differs substantially from the current program.

New Leadership:
Dr. Seema Khan will serve as Director, and Dr. William Gradishar will serve as Co-Director.

Proposed Projects:
Four completely new projects are proposed. Collectively, these projects promise a potential benefit to patients with breast cancer or at risk of developing the disease in four important areas:

1. improved genetic screening
2. more accurate prognosis and prediction of response to chemotherapy
3. more effective therapy for patients with Her2-positive, metastatic disease
4. mitigation of a common side effect of taxane-based chemotherapy

New Partnership:
The University of Illinois-Chicago will participate in the renewal Breast SPORE

Patient Advocates:
Patient advocates play an important role in the existing SPORE and will play an expanded role in the renewal program.

The research projects continue to be supported by four Core Resources:

• Administrative
• Tissue Resource
• Clinical
• Biostatistics/Bioinformatics

The Breast SPORE also includes a Developmental Research Program and a Career Development Program. These programs are required components in the existing SPORE and will continue in the renewal program.