2026 Conquer Cancer - Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation Career Development Award in memory of Sara Zuleta-Acosta

When cells divide they use complex machinery to ensure DNA is copied correctly, but errors occur when this machinery is damaged. This can ultimately lead to cancer. However, the damaged machinery (so called homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)) is also a vulnerability for cancer cells and can be specifically targeted with platinum-based chemotherapy or oral drugs called PARP inhibitors. While most patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) frequently have alterations in the DNA repair pathway, only a very small number (those with BRCA1/2 mutations) currently qualify for treatment. Our novel biomarker, called HRDefine, has been extensively validated in ovarian cancer and is designed to affordably detect HRD in additional patients with TNBC. In this study we will investigate the frequency of HRD positivity in the TNBC population and explore the relationship with other variables including patient characteristics, tumor biology, and treatment. We will also explore how this test changes in patients over time. This could ultimately identify new therapies for patients with TNBC who typically have limited treatment options and rely primarily on chemotherapy.

Dr. Symonds attended Dartmouth College where she graduated cum laude with a major in biology. She then attended the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her internal medicine residency and hematology/oncology fellowship at the University of Washington where she served as a chief fellow. Dr. Symonds is currently an assistant professor at the University of Washington in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Clinical Research Division where she specializes in breast oncology. During her career, she has done basic science research, translational research, and clinical trials. Her current research primarily focuses on 1) disseminated tumor cells and novel strategies to prevent metastasis and 2) homologous recombination deficiency in triple negative breast cancer. Dr. Symonds is also the principal investigator for multiple clinical trials through both the Breast Oncology Research Program and Phase One Program. She currently serves as the clinical co-director for the Breast Oncology Program at the University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.