Titles and Affiliations
Director, Breast Cancer Program
David Geffen School of Medicine
Research area
Developing more effective therapeutic approaches for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.
Impact
Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) is associated with aggressive tumor biology and lower survival rates. Chemotherapy has been the mainstay of mTNBC treatment and management, but it is not always effective and can have significant side effects. Developing new therapeutic approaches and combinations that are more effective with fewer side effects is therefore a major unmet clinical need. Dr. Bardia is conducting clinical and translational studies on promising antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). These novel agents comprise an antibody, which specifically targets a protein on the surface of tumor cells, and a highly potent drug.
Progress Thus Far
Dr. Bardia and his team have identified genetic mutations in tumors that confer resistance to ADCs. By studying tumor samples from over 450 patients, they have further linked genetic and molecular changes associated with three different ADCs to treatment outcomes. They have found that drug efflux, the process by which cancer cells pump out the very drugs meant to kill them may affect how well specific ADCs work in certain patients. They have also identified a role for certain proteins and receptors on the cell surface in shaping how tumors respond to specific ADCs.
What’s next
The team will validate these findings using liquid biopsies, blood tests that detect small amounts of tumor material circulating in the blood. They will study how baseline levels of specific cell-surface receptors relate to how well patients respond to ADC treatment. The team hopes to translate their discoveries into better treatment combinations and more effective use of ADCs for patients with aggressive breast cancer.
Biography
Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH is an internationally renowned breast oncologist known for his pioneering clinical and translational research in cancer therapeutics, particularly antibody drug conjugates. Dr. Bardia led the development of sacituzumab govitecan, the first ADC approved for patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer, as well as others including trastuzumab deruxtecan and datapotamab deruxtecan. Dr. Bardia also led the clinical development of elacestrant, the first oral SERD approved for patients with metastatic HR+ positive breast cancer. In translational collaboration with various labs, identified role of ESR1 mutations in mediating endocrine resistance, RB1 mutations in mediating CDK 4/6i resistance and TOP1 mutations in mediating ADC resistance. Besides cutting-edge research, Dr. Bardia is highly regarded among peers as an excellent mentor and strong advocate for academic trainees and junior faculty members. Dr. Bardia has received several awards including outstanding award for research excellence at Mayo Clinic, Young Investigator Award from ASCO, Distinguished researcher award from MASCO, and Douglas Family Foundation prize for excellence in oncology research.
