Foluso (Bisi) O. Ademuyiwa, MD, MPH, MSCI

Foluso (Bisi) O. Ademuyiwa, MD, MPH, MSCI

Professor

Address:
Division of Oncology
Mail Stop 8056-0029-11
Washington University
660 South Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110

11th Floor Mid Campus Center (office)

Admin:
Tonya Doublin
tonya@wustl.edu

Clinical Interests
  • Breast cancer
Research Interests
  • Triple negative breast cancer
  • Immunotherapy
Research

My clinical and research interests focus on the treatment of patients with breast cancer. I am particularly interested in developing novel treatments for patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Compared with non-TNBC, these tumors generally occur in younger or black women, are of a higher grade, have a higher propensity to spread to distant organs, and have a worse outcome with a high rate of recurrences after adjuvant treatments. Thus, there is a dire need to develop novel treatment strategies in an attempt to improve the outcome for patients with TNBC.

I am the Principal Investigator on a clinical trial investigating a unique chemotherapy combination in the pre-operative setting in patients with triple negative breast cancer. This is an innovative co-clinical trial, in which we simultaneously develop patient-derived xenografts (PDX) in immunodeficient mice. The ultimate goal of this project is to determine if we can increase the pathologic complete response rate at time of surgery by utilizing this chemotherapy combination. In addition, we will investigate molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance using genomic and proteomic analysis from both the patients’ tumors and the PDX.

Another main focus of my translational research program is to develop tools to identify TNBC patients at high-risk for disease recurrence, and ultimately use this information to enable early and clinically meaningful intervention. Our preliminary results show that circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is detectable in patients with early-stage TNBC, and can accurately predict clinical outcomes. We are validating these results in a larger multi-institutional cohort of TNBC patients. We hypothesize that TNBC patients’ genomic architecture predicts response to chemotherapy, and that high-risk patients may be identified before clinical recurrence by ctDNA. If patients who will recur due to chemotherapy resistance can be identified earlier, clinical trials with agents other than chemotherapy may be developed, with a view to changing the natural history of recurrent TNBC. Early intervention improves survival in early stage patients as neo(adjuvant) chemotherapy effectively eradicates disease. Although, this strategy has not been tested clinically with minimal residual disease identified by ctDNA during the observation period, preclinical studies suggest improved outcome with early intervention in metastatic disease. Currently, there is no proven strategy for early detection of disease recurrence.

I also collaborate actively with several scientists on clinical protocols in which immune therapies are used to harness the immune system to fight against breast cancer. In the largest and most rigorous investigation on NY-ESO-1 cancer testis antigen in patients with TNBC, we have shown that NY-ESO-1 is expressed in a subset of TNBC patients and leads to a relatively high spontaneous humoral immune response rate in these individuals. Progress continues to be made in understanding the interactions between the immune system and patients with breast cancer. It is through careful characterization of the different subtypes of TNBC through analysis of its genomic features and other indices detectable by IHC that progress will be made in using these differences for the development of personalized therapies.

I have also been actively involved in cancer disparities research, especially as related to racial inequities and disparities in breast cancer. We recently reported that less than 60% of Black patients with breast cancer receive guideline-concordant genetic counseling and testing. The long-term goal of our ongoing project is to develop strategies to improve genetic counseling and testing utilization and guideline concordant care for Blacks with breast cancer and in doing so, reduce cancer health disparities. We also recently showed that Blacks were more likely to no-show for scheduled screening mammograms. Our ongoing research also aims at improving the uptake of life-saving breast cancer screening for eligible Black women through family partnership programs.

I take care of patients with all types of breast cancer at the Siteman Cancer Center Main Campus and South County Campus. I am particularly interested in patients with TNBC and young women with breast cancer and provide them information on the latest research findings and clinical trials available. I am passionate about the patients and families I care for and I am honored to be part of their journeys.

Biosketch

Education

  • 2016: MSCI, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
  • 2001: MPH, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
  • 1999: MD, University of Ibadan College of Medicine, Ibadan, Nigeria

Post-Graduate Training

  • 2009-2006: Fellow, Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
  • 2006-2005: Chief Resident, Bridgeport Hospital-Yale Combined Med-Peds Program, Bridgeport, CT
  • 2006-2002: Resident, Bridgeport Hospital-Yale Combined Med-Peds Program, Bridgeport, CT
  • 2002-2001: Research Associate, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
  • 2000-1999: Intern, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Academic Positions

  • present-2023: Professor of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
  • 2023-2017: Associate Professor of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
  • 2017-2012: Assistant Professor of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
  • 2012-2010: Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, SUNY Buffalo, NY
  • 2012-2009: Assistant Professor of Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY

University & Hospital Appointments & Committees

  • present-2023: Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Oncology
  • present-2021: Siteman Cancer Center Breast Strategic Planning Workgroup
  • present-2020: Member, Breast Cancer Research Program Leadership Steering Committee, Washington University School of Medicine
  • present-2020: Diversity & Inclusion Leader, Hematology/Oncology Fellowship program, Washington University School of Medicine
  • present-2017: Member, BJC System Oncology Clinical Panel
  • present-2017: Member, Committee on Admissions, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
  • present-2016: Member, Department of Medicine, Cultural Awareness and Inclusion Faculty Task Force, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
  • present-2012: Member, Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO
  • present-2012: Member, Breast Cancer Research Program, Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO
  • 2012-2011: Member, Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY
  • 2012-2011: Member, Cancer Control, Prevention and Disparities Program, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY
  • 2012-2009: Member, Phase I Committee, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY
  • 2012-2009: Member, Breast Disease Specific Research Group, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY
  • 2012-2009: Member, Scientific Review Committee, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY

Board Certification

  • 2009: American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology
  • 2006: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
  • 2006: American Board of Pediatrics, General Pediatrics

Honors & Awards

  • 2021: Castle Connolly Top Doctor
  • 2008: ECOG Young Investigator Symposium Awardee
  • 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015: Best Doctors in St. Louis
  • 2017: Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Clinical Research Training Center Outstanding Citizenship Award
  • 2017: Forbes List of 27 Top Breast Cancer Oncologists
  • 2015: 10 Doctors to Watch, St. Louis Magazine
  • 2001: Cynthia and Robert Lawrence Scholarship, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, MD
  • 2001: Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, MD
  • 1993: Shell Nigeria Company University Scholarship

Grant Review

  • 2018: AACR Breast Cancer Research Grants Scientific Review Committee
  • 2016: Swiss Cancer League Grant Reviewer

Professional Societies, Organizations, & Appointments

  • present-2021: Member, ASCO Question Writing Group, American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • present-2020: Member, Health Disparities Committee, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
  • present-2020: Mentor, ASCO Virtual Mentoring Committee
  • present-2019: Member, Breast Committee, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
  • present-2019: Panelist, Global Breast Tumor Board, Global Cancer Institute
  • present-2015: Member, Breast Committee, NRG Oncology
  • present-2012: American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
  • present-2006: American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
  • present-2001: Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society
  • 2018-2017: Member, Young Investigators Committee, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology