SUMMARY
Lida A. Mina, M.D., conducts translational breast cancer research that connects biological discoveries, mathematical models and clinical trials with patient care. Her work spans early-stage and metastatic disease, with particular attention to estrogen receptor positive, triple-negative and hereditary breast cancers. Dr. Mina develops and leads phase 1, 2 and 3 studies that evaluate new treatments, treatment schedules, and biomarkers of therapeutic response or toxicity.
Dr. Mina studies adaptive cancer therapy, an approach that adjusts treatment intensity according to changes in tumor burden and patient-specific side effects. She also investigates predictors of toxicity from antibody-drug conjugates, circulating tumor DNA during neoadjuvant therapy, targeted treatment for cancers associated with BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants, and biological pathways linking obesity, insulin metabolism and breast cancer risk. Her research seeks to improve treatment selection, preserve disease control and reduce avoidable toxicity.
Focus areas
- Adaptive therapy for metastasis. Dr. Mina co-leads research using mathematical modeling, serial imaging and toxicity assessments to adjust chemotherapy dosing for patients with metastatic estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. She leads clinical evaluations of whether this strategy can maintain tumor control while reducing treatment burden and delaying disease progression.
- Antibody-drug conjugate toxicity. Dr. Mina investigates molecular, genetic and clinical factors that may predict serious adverse effects from antibody-drug conjugates. Her program aims to identify patients at elevated risk, refine therapeutic windows, and prevent avoidable treatment interruptions or discontinuation.
- Biomarkers of treatment response. Dr. Mina studies circulating tumor DNA and other response markers in patients receiving therapy for breast cancer, including neoadjuvant treatment for triple-negative disease. Her research focuses on identifying methods to detect treatment effectiveness earlier and support more individualized clinical decision-making.
- Prevention and inherited risk. Dr. Mina examines biological markers associated with breast cancer risk, including telomere-related pathways, BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants, insulin metabolism, obesity, and weight loss. Her studies address gaps in predicting which high-risk or premalignant conditions may progress to invasive cancer.
Significance to patient care
Breast cancer treatments do not work the same way for everyone. A treatment may stop working, cause serious side effects or be more intensive than a person needs. Dr. Mina's research aims to help match care to each person's cancer and overall health. She studies ways to adjust therapy over time to control metastatic breast cancer while limiting side effects. Her research also looks for signs that can show earlier whether a therapy is working or whether a person may be at higher risk of serious side effects.
Dr. Mina also studies how to identify people who may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer. Together, these efforts may help improve outcomes and quality of life for patients.
Professional highlights
- Mayo Clinic:
- Chair, Breast and Gynecology Disease Working Group, 2022-present.
- Investigator Clinical Trials Award, 2026.