Basser cancer and surgery specialists Drs. Kara Maxwell, Daniel Lee, Jennifer Zhang, and Bryson Katona delve into the nuances of BRCA-positive breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers in men. This wide-ranging discussion encompasses BRCA heritability, diagnostics, screening, risks, and treatment options.

Katherine Nathanson, MD, director of Genetics at the Basser Center for BRCA, discussed new research on “reversion mutations” in BRCA1/2, which are secondary mutations that arise in response to therapy. The new comprehensive analysis helps researchers understand why some breast cancers treated with PARP inhibitors build up resistance to treatment after time.

Basser executive director Susan M. Domchek, MD and Abramson Cancer Center director Robert H. Vonderheide, MD, DPhil have been elected as Fellows of the 2025 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Academy. Fellows are recognized and honored as extraordinary scientists whose groundbreaking contributions have driven significant innovation and progress in the fight against cancer.

Susan Domchek, MD, director of the Basser Center, will receive the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s 2025 ASCO-American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Award at the ASCO Annual Meeting.

Katherine Nathanson, MD, the Pearl Basser Professor for BRCA-Related Research and deputy director of the Abramson Cancer Center, discussed new BRCA research she presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2024.

Patrick Sung, DPhil, of UT Health Science Center of San Antonio, is awarded the 2024 Basser Global Prize for his cutting-edge work in the field of DNA damage repair. “This type of basic science research is crucial to understanding how we—together, as a community of researchers and clinicians—can advance the care of individuals living with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations,” said Susan Domchek, MD, executive director of the Basser Center for BRCA.

In 2012, the Basser Center was established as the first comprehensive center for the research, treatment, and prevention of BRCA1 and BRCA2-related cancers. Now, other academic institutions have followed suit, creating their own BRCA programs.

Researchers across the country are making progress toward vaccines that train healthy people’s immune systems to eliminate signs of cancer before it develops. Healthy BRCA mutation carriers are participating in a Basser Center cancer vaccine clinical trial. 

TODAY Show contributor and breast cancer survivor Jill Martin launched a new clothing line to raise awareness of breast cancer and genetic testing, with proceeds going to the Basser Center.

“This initiative will support our work dedicated to helping those affected by BRCA gene mutations through treatment, awareness, prevention, and research,” said Susan Domchek, MD, executive director of the Basser Center.