Meet the Marni Fund Researchers: Dr. Sara Hurvitz

As a memorial tribute to an extraordinary woman, Krav Maga Worldwide™ and STOP CANCER created The Marni Fund, with a shared mission dedicated to developing improved treatments, new diagnostic procedures and the ultimate goal – a cure. Created in memory of Marni Levine (1969–2006), The Marni Fund is currently supporting innovative Breast Cancer researchers at UCLA, USC and City of Hope NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

Today, we introduce you to one of those researchers: Dr. Sara Hurvitz.

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Sara Hurvitz, M.D.

Dr. Sara Hurvitz is a Clinical Instructor in the Division of Hematology-Oncology at UCLA who specializes in the treatment of breast cancer. She received her MD from USC and completed residency training at UCLA. She is currently leading the Breast Oncology Program in the Division of Hematology-Oncology there.

Sara is in charge of national and international breast cancer clinical trials that evaluate new promising treatments for both early stage and advanced breast cancer. She states it is clear now that breast cancer is not one disease but many different types, each with a different biological cause and each deserving of a specific therapy. Data obtained from each of these trials will provide critical information that may be used to develop new therapies.

With funds provided by the STOP CANCER Marni Levine Memorial Breast Cancer Award, Dr. Hurvitz is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a novel medication that works by stopping the growth of new blood vessels around tumors in patients with high-risk breast cancer.

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Meet the Marni Fund Researchers: Dr. Melanie Palomares

As a memorial tribute to an extraordinary woman, Krav Maga Worldwide™ and STOP CANCER created The Marni Fund, with a shared mission dedicated to developing improved treatments, new diagnostic procedures and the ultimate goal – a cure. Created in memory of Marni Levine (1969–2006), The Marni Fund is currently supporting innovative Breast Cancer researchers at UCLA, USC and City of Hope NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

Today, we introduce you to one of those researchers: Dr. Melanie Palomares.

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Melanie Palomares, M.D., M.S.

Dr. Melanie Palomares is Assistant Professor of Population Sciences and Medical Oncology, Co-Director of the Risk Breast Clinic, and Staff Physician of Clinical Cancer Genetics.

Since joining City of Hope in 2003, with the help of the Marni Levine Memorial Research Award, she has used her multidisciplinary training in oncology, epidemiology, and genetics to develop a translational research program for both patients who are at increased risk for cancer (primary cancer prevention and screening) and cancer survivors (secondary cancer prevention and surveillance).

Translational clinical trials in cancer prevention require the development and validation of biomarkers of cancer risk and modification of that risk. She has studied mammographic density as a radiographic marker of breast cancer risk. She is also investigating several molecular markers of breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis, comparing multiple DNA, RNA, proteomic, and whole cell based methodologies. With accurate risk prediction, she will be able to target the most appropriate people for cancer prevention strategies in the future.

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