Matthew J. C. Ellis, M.B., B.Chir., Ph.D.
- Professor
- Department of Medicine
- Oncology Division
- Medical Oncology Section
- Oncology Division
- Department of Medicine
- Research & Clinical interests
- Insulin-like growth factor signaling and breast cancer
- Endocrine therapy for breast cancer
- Signal transduction therapy for breast cancer
- Preoperative systemic therapy for breast cancer
- Array based analysis of breast cancer gene expression
- Breast cancer clinical trial correlative science
Research
Dr. Ellis’ research interests are in the area of breast cancer, specifically, endocrine therapy, therapy involving signal transduction inhibitors, preoperative systemic therapy, and breast cancer genomics. The Ellis laboratory’s efforts have focused on translational research that involve conducting Phase II clinical studies with endocrine agents (JAMA 2009;302:774-80), the development and validation of predictive biomarkers in ER+ breast cancer (J Natl Cancer Inst 2008;100:1380-8) and in preclinical modeling studies to provide a rationale for the use of novel agents in the clinical setting (Cancer Res 69:3955-62, 2009). Dr. Ellis has over a decade of experience in designing and conducting clinical trials, including the P024 study (comparing efficacy of letrozole vs tamoxifen); the ACOSOG-Z1031 trial (compares efficacy of different aromatase inhibitors); and a study to evaluate the efficacy of estradiol treatment in aromatase inhibitor-resistant patients (NCT00324259). From these clinical studies, Dr. Ellis has helped to validate the Ki67 proliferation marker as an early “on treatment” assessment of the efficacy of endocrine therapy treatment in ER+ breast cancer patients. Dr. Ellis has also developed a new outcome prediction model, the PEPI score, as a means to identify ER+ patients at high risk of relapse after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (J Natl Cancer Inst 2008;100:1380-8). In addition, he also is a principal investigator for the Strategic Program to Evaluate Cancer Signatures (SPECS) Grant in Breast Cancer (Biological Breast Cancer Classification by qRT-PCR, NCI #U01-CA114722). The objective of this grant is to develop a tool for personalizing chemotherapy decisions based on an intrinsic breast cancer subtype assay (J Clin Oncol 2009;27:1160-7). Dr. Ellis was awarded an R01 by the NCI to study “Novel Biomarkers for Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy” that was recently renewed (R01-CA095614). The objectives of the grant are to improve long-term outcomes and reduce the toxicity of breast cancer treatment in older patients with ER+ breast cancer by developing more effective endocrine therapy regimens through the application of predictive response biomarkers. Accurate predictive biomarkers for aromatase inhibitor therapy would allow increased use of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy as a non-toxic means to improve surgical outcomes; the identification of patients with aromatase inhibitor-sensitive disease in whom adjuvant chemotherapy can be safely avoided; and lead to insights into aromatase inhibitor resistance that can be addressed by future clinical trials.
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Cross-talk between signal transduction pathways and ER signaling in endocrine resistant breast cancer, with opportunities for targeted intervention.
From: Ellis M, Ma C
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Biographical Sketch
Education
| 1978-1980 | 2nd M.B., King’s College, University of London, UK |
| 1980-1981 | B.Sc. (hons), St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, University of London, UK |
| 1981-1984 | M.B., B.Chir., Queens’ College & School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK |
| 1986 | MRCP, Royal College of Physicians, London, Regents Park London, UK |
| 1988-1991 | Ph.D., Royal Postgraduate Medical School, University of London, UK |
Professional Training
| 1984-1985 | House Officer, Addenbrookes, Papworth Hinchingbrook Hospitals, Cambridge Medical School, UK |
| 1985 | Senior House Officer, General Medicine & Gastroenterology, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK |
| 1985-1986 | Senior House Officer, Radiotherapy & Oncology, Pulmonary Medicine, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK |
| 1986-1988 | Registrar, General & Pulmonary Medicine, Gastroenterology, Hammersmith Medical Registrar Rotations, London, UK |
| 1988-1991 | Research Fellow, Gene Expression Laboratory, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London, UK |
| 1991-1992 | MRC Travelling Research Fellow, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC |
| 1992-1994 | Medical Oncology Fellow, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC |
Academic Positions
| 1994-1996 | Instructor, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC |
| 1996-2000 | Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC |
| 2000-2003 | Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC |
| 2003-2008 | Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, MO |
| 2003-present | Head, Section of Medical Oncology, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, MO |
| 2003-present | Co-Director, Clinical and Translational Research, Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO |
| 2003-present | Anheuser Busch Professor of Medical Oncology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO |
| 2003-present | Director, Breast Health Program, Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO |
| 2007-present | McDonnell International Scholars Academy, Washington University, St. Louis, MO University Ambassador to Brazil and the University of Campinas, SP |
| 2008-present | Professor, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, MO |
Board Certification
| 2004 | Internal Medicine |
| 2005 | Medical Oncology |
Awards
| 2001 | Elected Fellow, Royal College of Physicians |
Government Consultant Appointments
| Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee #69 | |
| 1998 | Expert Advisor, Food and Drug Administration |
| 2002 | Program for the Assessment of Cancer Clinical Tests (PACCT) Breast Cancer Working Group Member, National Institutes of Heath |
| 2006 | Chair, Fresh Frozen Working Group for the BIG/NCI Cooperative Groups |
| 2007 | Avon-NCI PFP Blue Ribbon Panel, Advisory Board Member |
| 2007 | Special Review Panel for NSABP Trial Protocol P4 |
| 2007 | Presentation to the National Cancer Advisory Board on The NCI Breast Cancer SPECS Program |
| 2007, 2008 | CTEP/TBCI Concept Review |
| 2008 | CTEP Clinical Trial Concept Review |
Editorial Boards
| 2000-2006 | Breast Cancer, a Year Book Quarterly |
| 2003-2005 | Journal of Clinical Oncology |
| 2002-2006 | Endocrine Related Cancer |
| 2004-present | Breast Cancer Research and Treatment |
| 2005-present | Biomed Central (BMC) Cancer |
National Organizations
| 1997-2001 | Member, Breast Cancer Working Group of the Solid Tumor Correlative Science Committee, Cancer and Lymphoma Group B (CALGB) |
| 2001-2005 | Chairman, Breast Cancer Working Group of the Solid Tumor Correlative Science Committee, Cancer and Lymphoma Group B (CALGB) |
| 2001-present | Cadre Member, Breast Cancer Committee, Cancer and Lymphoma Group B (CALGB) |
| 2004-present | Member, Breast Cancer Committee, American College of Surgeons Oncology Group |
| 2005-present | Vice Chair, Breast Cancer Committee, Cancer and Lymphoma Group B (CALGB) |
| 2007-present | Chairman, Medical Oncology Committee, American College of Surgeons Oncology Group |
National Meeting Organization
| 1999 | American Association for Cancer Research, Program Committee Subcommittee member for “Cell Growth Signaling Pathways: Cell Biology Aspects” |
| 1999 | Chairperson for Minisymposium “Protein kinases in tumor progression/regression”, AACR Annual Meeting |
| 2004, 2005, 2006 | Member of Program Committee, ASCO |
Grant Review
| 1996, 1999, 2001 | Study Section, Department of Veterans Affairs |
| 2002, 2003, 2008 | Review Panel, NCI/AVON/SPORE Partners in Progress Award Program |
| 2003 | Primary Grant Reviewer, UK Breast Cancer Campaign |
| 2003-2007 | CALGB Fellowship and Junior Faculty Awards |
| 2005, 2006 | NCI Breast Cancer SPORE Study Section |
| 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 | Clinical Trial Reviewer for Cancer Research UK |
| 2005, 2006, 2008 | Breakthrough Cancer UK Grant Review |
| 2006 | Cancer Research UK, Fellowship Awards |
| 2007 | NCI Cancer Center Review, P30 Cancer Center Support Grant Application from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University |
| 2008 | NCI Grant Review: Special Emphasis Panel: Cancer Genetics and Profiling |
| 2008 | Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Pathobiology Study Section |
Non-government Advisory Boards
| 2003-present | External Advisory Board, UCSF SPORE in Breast Cancer |
| 2007, 2008 | Scientific Advisory Board, Avon Foundation |
| 2007, 2008 | External Reviewer for Developmental Projects, MD Anderson SPORE in Breast Cancer |
- Updated: October 8, 2009
