Ruby O. Meierotto, MD

Research Support (Co-PI: Dr. Meierotto)
Ongoing Research Support:R01 CA207445  (Behbod)
03/09/2017 - 02/28/2020
NIH
Identifying the Molecular and Cellular Basis of Invasive Phenotype in Human DCIS
Major Goals: The purpose of this grant application is to improve the MIND models by mimicking the natural microenvironment of human DCIS in mice. Our ultimate goal is to increase the translation application of the DCIS MIND models.
R01CA172764 (multi-PI: Cheng & Behbod)
09/01/2013 – 08/31/2018
NIH/NCI
Progression of DCIS to invasive breast cancer through CCR2 chemokine signaling
Major Goals: To elucidate the role of CCR2/CCL2 signaling in DCIS progression to invasive breast cancer.
Role: Co-PI
RSG-13-182-01-CSM (Cheng)
07/01/2013 - 06/30/2017
Am Cancer Society
Barriers to Breast Cancer Treatment Due to CCL2/CCR2 Chemokine Signaling
Major Goals: To understand (1) the role of CCR2 expression in breast cancer progression using mouse models, and (2) the mechanisms of CCR2 signaling in breast cancer cell survival and invasion.
Role: Co-PI
R21 CA187890 (Behbod)
09/01/2014 - 08/31/2017
NIH
Elucidating Cellular Heterogeneity Among Cancer Stem Cells by Raman Spectroscopy
Major Goals: to evaluate the use of Raman Tweezer Spectroscopy for sorting and characterizing tumor initiating cells by the expression of unique intracellular molecular composition. This new technology is expected to enable further enrichment of the most aggressive tumor cells and facilitate the future design of anti-cancer therapies for their eradication.
Role: Co-PI
P30CA168524-suppl (Jensen)
03/03/2017 - 06/30/2017
NIH (suppl. to KU Cancer Center award)
MIND Models for Therapeutic Drug Testing Against Luminal B Breast Cancers
Major Goals: 1. To establish at least 5 unique ER+ MIND xenograft models by intraductal injection of epithelial cells derived from patients' luminal B breast cancer (HER2 negative) 2. To evaluate Ribociclib (LEE011; Novartis), a CDK4/6 inhibitor in combination with Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, in ER+ HER2 negative luminal B breast cancers.
Role: Co-PI
Recently Completed Research Support
R21CA185460 (Behbod)                                     
05/01/2014 - 04/30/2017
NIH/NCI
(no cost extension)
Essential Role of BCL9 in Promotion of Human DCIS to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Major Goals: To evaluate the role of nuclear vs. cytoplasmic BCL9 in promotion of DCIS invasive progression and in the formation of a DCIS pro-invasive stromal microenvironment by recruitment of macrophages.
Role: Co-PI
P30 GM11076102 (PI: Hanzlik)
08/01/2014 - 06/30/2019
NIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences                                                                        
Project: Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in Protein Structure and Function
(Pilot Project PI: Behbod)
07/01/2015-06/30/2016
Subproject: Crystal Structure determination of STAT3/BCL9 Complex
Major Goals: to characterize binding interactions between BCL9 and STAT3 by x-ray crystallography and then use fragment screening to identify chemical compounds to interfere with this binding. The long-term goal is to find therapeutic strategies for prevention of breast cancer non-invasive to invasive progression.
Role:  Co-PI
R21CA187890 (Behbod)
08/26/2014 - 08/25/2016
NIH/NCI
Elucidating cellular heterogeneity among cancer stem cells by Raman Spectroscopy
Major Goals: To utilize Raman spectroscopy combined with flow cytometry in order to perform intracellular molecular profiling of cancer stem cells.
Role: Co-PI
No number (Behbod)
08/01/2014 - 07/30/2016
Breast Cancer Research Foundation - AACR Translational Breast Cancer Research
Essential Role of BCL9 in Promotion of Human DCIS to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Major Goals: 1) Evaluate BCL9 as a biomarker for DCIS with high risk of progression; 2) Evaluate the role of BCL9 in DCIS progression to invasion in animal models of disease; 3) Assess effects of pharmacologic inhibition of BCL9/β-catenin interaction on DCIS progression to IDC.
Role: Co-PI
Peer Reviewed Publications

1. Lowe LH, Fernando S, Obaldo RE, et al. Duplicate Publication with Consequence of Potential Misinformation and Further Controversy. Pediatric radiology 2008; 38:839-840.
2. Fernando S, Obaldo RE, Walsh IR, Lowe LH. Neuroimaging of Nonaccidental Head Trauma: Pitfalls and Controversies. Pediatric Radiology 2008; 38:827-838.                                                                                             
3. Obaldo RE, Shao L, Lowe LH . Congenital Glioependymal Cyst Presenting with Severe Proptosis. American Journal of Neuroradiology 2007; 28:999-1000.

Educational Electronic/Poster Exhibits

1. Hayley Hansford, Darlene Limback, Haleigh Harper, Yan Hong, Hanan Elsarraj, Lawrence R. Ricci, Fang Fan, Ossama Tawfik, Lisa May, Therese Cusick, Marc Inciardi, Mark Redick, Jason Gatewood, Onalisa Winblad, Tim Fields, Carol Fabian, Andrew K. Godwin, Ruby Meierotto, Fariba Behbod.  Mouse-Intraductal (MIND); The first in vivo model of human ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) invasive transition.  KUCC-Research Symposium. KU-Edwards Campus, Overland Park, KS, December 2017.
2. Gill T, Al-Khalisi N, Stover JA, Massengale J, Smith WP, Meierotto RO, Saettele MR.  BI-RADS 3:  To Follow, or Not to Follow, That is the Question.  American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting, May 2017
3. Saettele MR , Adler KE, Tun M,  Lewis T,  Riaz MA, Meierotto RO.  BI-RADS: An Interactive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Case Based Tutorial.  American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting, May 2014
4. Obaldo RE, Hovanessian-Laresn L, Palmer S, Sheth S, Sheth P. Pictorial Review of Extramammary Incidental Findings of Breast MRI. American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting, April 2008
5. Lowe LH, Obaldo RE, Fickenscher KA, Walsh I. Neuroimaging of Nonaccidental Trauma: Characteristic Findings, Pitfalls, and Controversies. Society for Pediatric Radiology, April 2007
6. Obaldo RE, Morriss M C, Lowe L. Neuroimaging of Nonaccidental Trauma: Characteristic Findings, Pitfalls, and Controversies. American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting, May 2006
7. Obaldo RE, McCrary B S, Smith W P. Ultrasound Evaluation of Axillary Lymphnode Morphology following Breast Cancer Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy as a Marker for Treatment Response. American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting, May 2006
8. Wetzel L, Van Tasell C, Obaldo RE, Lemons S, Dusing R.  Combined PET/CT and Diagnostic CT Studies: Initial Experiences and Lessons Learned. Education Exhibit Radiological Society of North America Annual Meeting, Nov 2005
9. Obaldo RE, Carruthers LM, Hansen JC  Linker Histone Dependent Stabilization of Chromatin Folding Education Exhibit Solution Interaction of Macromolecules Annual Meeting, 1998

Other Research Experience
ACR Case in Point: Bilateral Round Ligament Varicoceles
Verma R, Obaldo RE, Johnson M
USC Department of Radiology
September 29, 2008
UTHSCSA Radiology Department
The University of Texas Health Science Center Radiology Department has been studying the effectiveness, methodology, and complications of radiofrequency ablation as a treatment of hepatic malignancies.  I assisted in compiling data from 137 patients to investigate the complication of biliary dilatation after radiofrequency ablation treatment.
January 2001 – August 2001
UTHSCSA Radiology Department
I helped construct the body imaging teaching file by entering patient data information and digitalizing images (approximately 150 cases).
January 2001 – August 2001