Breast Cancer Translational Center of Excellence

Surviving breast cancer is an amazing accomplishment, but your journey may not end there. Breast cancer relapse (recurrence) occurs for 30 percent of patients. At the Abramson Cancer Center, your breast cancer care does not stop when your treatment is over. Our 2-PREVENT Breast Cancer Translational Center of Excellence (TCE) is the only program in the country to focus on preventing breast cancer recurrence.

What is the 2-PREVENT Breast Cancer TCE?

Through the 2-PREVENT Breast Cancer TCE, we address one of the greatest challenges in breast cancer treatment — the high rate of relapse and metastasis. Our innovative program is focused on monitoring, detecting, and treating minimal residual disease to prevent metastatic breast cancer. We are challenging the standard of “watchful waiting” in order to empower patients during survivorship. We also strive to increase access to breast cancer clinical trials at Penn Medicine and to support patients and providers in the community. Our specialized center, located in the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, offers:

  • Nationally recognized research: We are a leader in research for recurrent breast cancer. Our in-depth laboratory and clinical research allow us to address all your breast cancer needs.
  • Dedicated experts: The 2-PREVENT TCE brings together specialists from diverse fields to find a solution for recurrent breast cancer
  • Comprehensive care: No other program in the country focuses on breast cancer recurrence with such comprehensive measures. We assess and manage your risk, identify any recurrent cancer and develop a personalized treatment plan.
  • Extensive genomic testing: We conduct advanced testing to understand how your recurrent breast cancer differs from your initial tumor. This helps us provide you with the best possible treatment.
  • Access to clinical trials: Our wide portfolio of clinical trials offers the latest testing and treatment options for patients at all stages of breast cancer. The 2-PREVENT TCE also aims to improve access through our innovative breast cancer clinical trials navigation program.

Preventing Breast Cancer Recurrence Through Advanced Research

Breast cancer cells, called seed cells, can sometimes move from your original breast tumor to other areas of your body. They travel through your bloodstream and spend some time dormant (sleeping). Those cells may never resurface again or your immune system may fight them off. They also might reactivate and spread as metastatic breast cancer. Common places for breast cancer to resurface are in the bones, liver or lungs.

We test your blood and bone marrow for those sleeping seed cells. Research plays a vital role in preventing, identifying and treating relapsed breast cancer. Our investigators study every aspect of this disease to provide you with innovative preventative care and treatment.

Our research efforts include:

  • Prevention, so that sleeping cells do not reactivate as metastatic breast cancer
  • Surveillance, to understand the movement and activity of sleeping cells
  • Detection, to identify residual cancer "seed" cells, breast cancer "sleeper cells" or any metastatic cancer early
  • Testing, to understand how your metastatic cancer differs from the original tumor
  • Treatment, to effectively stop your cancer in its tracks

ACORN (Access, Community Outreach, & Research Navigation)

The ACORN program is a TCE Initiative to increase access to all Breast Cancer Clinical Trials at the University of Pennsylvania. Our goal is to:

  • Create access for under-represented populations in research.
  • Better understand the challenges of implementing research within the community
  • Provide education and resources to patients and providers about clinical research.
  • Support local providers in making the clinical trial referral process smoother and more accessible.

Clinical Trial Navigation

Choosing to participate in a clinical trial is a personal decision. Most patients choose to participate because they want to explore treatments that are not part of routine care. Yet, you don’t have to figure it out all on your own, we can walk you through your options.

If you are interested in participating in a Penn Medicine Breast Cancer Clinical Trial please email the navigation team at

What to expect when contacting us

  1. You will be asked to complete an intake form with your medical history.
  2. Our team will determine if you are eligible for an open trial.
  3. If you are eligible, you will be contacted with more information and next steps.
  4. If you are ineligible, the team will hold your information for any potential future trials.

Watch to Understand Research and Testing for Recurrent Breast Cancer

Led by Lewis Chodosh, MD, PhD and Angela DeMichele, MD, MSCE, the 2-PREVENT TCE is comprised of experts from across the Penn community who are all working on finding a solution to some of the most pressing issues confronting cancer patients.

Watch as Dr. DeMichele and panelists discuss the 2PREVENT clinical trials on recurrence.