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Dr. Andrew Dannenberg The Prevent Cancer Foundation has awarded a research grant to Andrew Dannenberg, M.D., Associate Director of Cancer Prevention at the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center and the Henry R. Erle, M.D.-Roberts Family Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Dannenberg and his team will attempt to validate a blood-based signature of fatty tissue inflammation in the breast. This promising project could be a step toward developing a blood test that identifies women who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Dannenberg’s lab has long been exploring the relationship between inflammation and cancer. In recent work, he has used mice and human breast tissue samples to establish a link between obesity, inflammation and aromatase, a key enzyme involved in the production of estrogens. This is one of multiple potential mechanisms by which inflamed fat may increase the risk of breast cancer.

“We are grateful for the important investigations Dr. Dannenberg has been involved in to date and are pleased to be supporting his research with this two-year grant,” said Carolyn Aldigé, President and Founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “It is exactly this type of high-risk, high-reward study that could lead to the next big breakthrough in cancer prevention and early detection.”

This two-year grant, the largest in the Foundation’s 30-year history of funding research, is made possible from funds raised during the Awesome Games Done Quick speedrunner video game marathon this past January.