Our goal is not only to provide breast cancer patients with the highest quality of care, but to stop the disease in its tracks. Our work begins with research. Through our commitment to translational, clinical and nursing research, Mills Breast Cancer Institute is turning the latest scientific ideas into practical applications at the bedside and providing patients with access to the latest treatments. And that means a brighter future for patients in our community and beyond.

Translational Research

At Mills Breast Cancer Institute, as part of the Biomedical Research Center and under the umbrella of the Carle Foundation Research Institute, we are working to unlock the mysteries of breast cancer through translational research.

Here, physician researchers work alongside University of Illinois scientists on studies that are yielding new insights into the treatment of breast cancer patients. Our research is particularly focused on the early detection and effective treatment of breast cancer, specially in regards to molecular imaging, molecular diagnostics and molecular therapeutics.

See how Mills Breast Cancer Institute and our colleagues are redefining the fight against breast cancer.

Imaging

OCT technology in the early detection of breast cancer
Dr. Stephen Boppart and his team are using optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, an emerging light technology similar in concept to ultrasound, to identify image features in surgically-resected tumors that could be used for future diagnostics markers. He is also working on a second project that uses OCT in the operating and procedure rooms for real-time, high-resolution imaging of tumors, as well as surgical guidance.

MRI and high-performance computing in early detection/treatment of breast cancer
Drs. Wen-mei Hwu, Zhi-Pei Liang and Brad Sutton are working to develop a new tool that integrates high-performance computing with magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy and algorithms to produce high-resolution images of human tissue in real-time. The new tool would allow clinical radiologists to detect diseases such as breast cancer, and oncologists to determine and track treatment options.

Diagnostics

Gene profiling
In this study, led by Dr. Benita Katzenellenbogen, scientists are involved in identifying genetic differences in breast cancer and evaluating how those differences can be used to assess a patient’s response to endocrine therapy.

Protein expression in breast cancer
Dr. Ann Nardulli and her team are studying the expression of specific estrogen receptor associated proteins in mammary tumors and in adjacent normal cells to determine whether expression of these proteins is associated with disease state, tumor stage and/or clinical outcome.

For information regarding ongoing translational research at the Biomedical Research Center, please call the Carle Foundation Research Institute at (217) 326-4508.

Therapeutics

Effects of dietary phytoestrogens on breast cancer growth and progression
Under the direction of principle investigator Dr. Bill Helferich, this program examines the potential of diets containing phytoestrogens to alter the growth and progression of estrogen-dependent breast cancers.

Clinical Research

While our translational researchers work to develop new hope for tomorrow, Mills Breast Cancer Institute also offers patients access clinical trials today.

Each patient who participates in a clinical trial is assigned a clinical research associate to help guide and monitor them through the process. This extra layer of support offers reassurance to patients and ensures the trial investigators administer a very high standard of care. Clinical trials also provide patients the opportunity to take a more active role in their health care and to help advance our knowledge of cancer therapies to benefit future generations.

Click here for a full listing of current clinical trials. Or call Betsy Barnick at (217) 383-6963 for more information.

Nursing Research

Influence of light exercise on breast cancer survivors
Can yoga improve the quality of life for breast cancer survivors? This study, led by Anna-Marie Van Puymbroeck, PhD, of Indiana University, in collaboration with Kimberly Shinew, PhD of University of Illinois, seeks to investigate the effects that yoga has on depression, fatigue, body image and other issues among breast cancer survivors.