Dr. Miele's primary area of interest is molecular pharmacology and the discovery and development of new anti-cancer agents for breast cancer. His group focuses on:
1. Experimental therapeutics
2. Mechanistic studies on novel and existing therapeutics
3. Molecular target identification and validation

Areas Of Interest:

1. Novel chemotherapeutics targeting the Notch signaling pathways and related pathways, alone and in combination with
    established agents.
2. Endocrine modulators, including anti-estrogens, selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors
3. Growth factor receptor antagonists, including small-molecule agents (e.g., “Iressa” and similar drugs) and biologics (e.g.,
    Herceptin, Erbitux and novel experimental agents)
4. Genomics/proteomics applications tailored to target identification/validation and molecular pathology

Clinical Interactions:
The type of Program I am envisioning can function optimally in the context of a close interaction with all the specialties involved in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, including medical and surgical oncology as well as pathology. When it reaches full strength, the program will include outstanding faculties engaged in highly integrated research with strong translational potential.

Miele representative publications

Kimberly Foreman, PhD
Department of Pathology

Research in my laboratory is focused on the expression of Notch and Notch-related proteins in human malignancies, particularly breast cancer. The major goal of our research is to understand the role of Notch in tumorigenesis, and to determine if Notch is a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Currently, there are two projects in the laboratory: (1) Notch signaling and angiogenesis. Our laboratory has a long standing interest in endothelial cell biology, and recent studies indicate tumor cells can engage Notch receptors on endothelial cells resulting in neovascularization. We are investigating the role of Notch signaling in angiogenesis with a focus on advanced and metastatic breast cancer. (2) Notch signaling and tumor initiating cells (TIC or cancer stem cells). Evidence has recently pointed to breast TIC as an important source of recurrent and metastatic disease as they evade death from standard chemotherapies based on their stem cell-like properties. Notch signaling is an important regulator of mammary gland development where Notch functions as a regulator of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Therefore, we are investigating Notch as a critical regulator of TIC survival and self-renewal.

Foreman representative publications