Advancing Breast Cancer Research
The Catherine Peachey Fund was established to invest in early-stage breast cancer research within the Indiana research ecosystem. When scientists said they needed "normal" tissue to understand cancer, the system said it was impossible. But the Peachey Network of advocates and supporters banded together and provided the initial funding that resulted in the Komen Tissue Bank opening its door at Indiana University. The Catherine Peachey Fund doesn't just fund research; it creates the infrastructure for it!
This year, we celebrate 32 years of the Peachey Network -- supportive, grounded, and relentless on raising critical funds for groundbreaking breast cancer research right here in Indiana. The mission of the Catherine Peachey Fund is to promote advances in breast cancer research and treatment. We provide financial support to research and programs that we believe are best positioned to move from the bench to the clinic, and impact patient clinical outcomes.
The fund is unique in its efficient funding process and is fully staffed by volunteers. We operate at near zero operating costs so that all funds raised go directly to research.
Current Projects
The Catherine Peachey Fund has invested millions of dollars in breast cancer research and projects in Indiana.
Investigating DCIS to IDC transition and associated disparities in breast cancer
Led by Crislyn D’Souza-Schorey, PhD, at the University of Notre Dame, this research aims to investigate changes in the breast cancer microenvironment that lead to the development of IDC. Ancestry-dependent differences in breast cancer tissues will be examined to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the aggressive nature of IDC observed in more vulnerable patient cohorts.
It will serve as the foundation for future applications aimed at identifying the most effective treatments and surveillance strategies for women with invasive breast cancer, particularly those at higher risk.
Enhancing CAR-T Cell Therapy
Led by Shalini T Low-Nam, PhD, at the Tarpo Department of Chemistry at Purdue University.
This project builds on recent findings that a small group of highly active CAR-T cells is responsible for most cancer cell killing, and that exposing these cells to stiffer surfaces before treatment can increase effectiveness. Researchers will investigate how this “mechanical priming” enhances the cancer-fighting ability of CAR-T cells and identify the biological signals
involved. The long-term goal is to
develop a simple, scalable
approach to improve CAR-T-cell
therapies for breast cancer and
other solid tumors.
Impact of living at high altitude regions on breast cancer progression
Led by Hari Nakshatri, PhD, and his collaborators, Robert Tepper, PhD and Mark Kaplan, PhD, all at Indiana University, this pilot project tests the effects of conditioning to low oxygen levels on breast cancer growth and metastasis, particularly to lungs.
This study will provide an opportunity to perform future studies in patients from high altitude and sea level places for tumor growth patterns and response to treatments including immunotherapy.
