To further understand early stages in tumor formation, the Dairkee lab developed new, specialized techniques for studying non-aggressive localized tumors, and generated a unique repository of cryopreserved clinical breast cancer samples maintained in a living, interactive state. Dr. Dairkee and her colleagues created a portfolio of primary breast cancer cell lines encompassing all histologic grades and clinical stages, for more precise definitions and understanding of breast cancer subtypes. Using these models, Dr. Dairkee is investigating genetic signatures and cell-cell signaling differences associated with cancer aggressiveness, and signatures of paracrine-independent expression of grade-associated genes. She and her team are devising new techniques to employ live tumor cells in patient samples to predict response to breast cancer therapy. Aside from working directly with tumor cells, research in the Dairkee lab employs non-malignant cells from human donors to understand how environmental chemicals may be implicated in breast carcinogenesis (including the effects of estrogenic mimics in promoting hallmark, cancer-like cellular behaviors).
Sutter Health Research Enterprise
475 Brannan Street, Ste. 220
San Francisco, CA, 94107
(415) 600-1600
dairkes@sutterhealth.org