Takeo Fujii, M.D., M.P.H.

My research vision is to improve survival outcomes for patients with aggressive breast cancers, such as Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), and brain metastasis, through hypothesis-driven research. The primary goal of my research program is to develop novel therapeutic agents by identifying critical molecular targets through a combination of basic, translational, and early-phase clinical research.

Specific Research Objectives

To achieve this goal, my research program focuses on the following key objectives:

1. Unraveling the role of inflammation in breast cancer brain metastasis: Investigate the mechanisms by which inflammation contributes to the development and progression of breast cancer brain metastasis.
2. Preclinical validation of therapeutic targets: Identify and validate promising therapeutic targets through rigorous preclinical studies in relevant animal models.
3. Design and lead early-phase clinical trials: Translate preclinical findings into clinical practice by designing and leading early-phase clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of novel therapeutic interventions.

Research Approach

To address these objectives, my laboratory employees' innovative approaches to model clinical scenarios where unmet medical needs exist. We utilize two primary animal models:

1. Stroke-brain metastasis model: This model recapitulates the inflammatory response associated with ischemic stroke, which can promote the development of brain metastases.
2. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)-brain metastasis model: This model mimics the systemic inflammatory conditions associated with DVT, a potential contributing factor to brain metastasis.

By leveraging these models, we are investigating the impact of inflammation and immune cell infiltration on the tumor microenvironment in the brain and emergency hematopoiesis. Our research is particularly focused on the innate immune system, including neutrophils, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and monocytes.

Dr. Fujii received his M.D. from the Shinshu University School of Medicine, Japan, and an M.P.H. from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, during which he was a graduate research assistant at the Department of Breast Medical Oncology in the MD Anderson Cancer Center. He completed internal medicine and medical oncology training at St. Luke’s International Hospital, Japan. Further, he completed advanced clinical fellowship in the Phase I Clinical Trials Program in the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at MD Anderson Cancer Center, TX, internal medicine residency at the University of Hawaii, and a medical oncology fellowship in the Translational Research Track at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory joint program, NY, where he trained in Dr. Mikala Egeblad’s laboratory.

He joined the Women's Malignancies Branch as a Physician-Scientist Early Investigator in 2022.