Overview

The Tumor Microenvironment Laboratory studies signals within breast tissue that drive the earliest stages of breast cancer. Our goal is to define ways to interrupt these signals and ultimately prevent breast cancer, not just treat it.

Every cell in the body is shaped by its surroundings. The tissue microenvironment tells each cell how to behave. This microenvironment includes neighboring cells, the extracellular matrix that supports them, and signals such as hormones, growth factors and inflammatory molecules. Healthy cells read these signals and organize into structures that serve the body, including the milk-producing lobules of the breast.

As tissue ages or is reshaped by inflammation, injury and changes in the matrix, however, this signaling environment can shift into a state that allows cancer to take hold. Our lab studies how this cancer-supportive tissue environment develops, which cells and signals are responsible, and how the process can be slowed, reversed or intercepted.

To do this, we combine the study of human tissue with experimental models. A central resource for our work is a cohort of more than 20,000 women diagnosed with benign breast disease at Mayo Clinic. We also leverage a living biobank of healthy breast tissue, including matched tissue specimens, organoids and primary cells from the same donors.

We map this donor tissue using multiplex imaging and spatial profiling. We also test how it behaves using 3D cultures and organoid models. This process allows us to move from observations in tissue to cause-and-effect experiments in the laboratory.

With these tools, we're:

• Using spatial profiling and mapping how the breast microenvironment differs across populations to understand cancer development and improve outcomes for everyone.
• Defining how fibroblasts and the surrounding stroma signal risk in benign breast lesions.
• Identifying lobular involution and other features of benign breast disease that may predict progression to cancer.
• Innovating tissue-based measures of breast cancer risk and prevention in women who have inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants.

Our aim with all these research projects is to disrupt cancer where it begins and to advance new strategies for prevention.

About Dr. Radisky

In addition to being the principal investigator of the Tumor Microenvironment Lab, Dr. Radisky is chair of the Department of Cancer Biology at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. He studies how the tissue microenvironment shapes the earliest stages of cancer, with a focus on breast cancer prevention. He aims to develop practical tools for predicting risk, preventing cancer and improving breast cancer outcomes for everyone.