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Karen H. Lu, MD

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

H.E.B. Professorship in Cancer Research, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Graduate Faculty, Regular Member, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

Dr. Lu is Professor in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine and holds the H.E.B. Professorship in Cancer Research. Her main clinical interests include the surgical and medical treatment of women with ovarian and endometrial cancers, as well as the management of women at genetically high risk for these cancers. She serves as Co-Director for the MD Anderson Clinical Cancer Genetics Program and Director of the High Risk Ovarian Cancer Screening Clinic. She is a national leader in the cancer genetics field and has published seminal articles on hereditary gynecologic cancers. In addition, she serves as Director of the Uterine Cancer Research Program (UCRP) and Principal Investigator of the NCI-sponsored Uterine Cancer Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE). She leads a research team that aims to apply laboratory-based findings to improving the care of gynecologic cancer patients. She receives support for her research from the National Cancer Institute, the Lynne Cohen Foundation, the American Gynecologic and Obstetric Society, and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. She has published numerous articles and book chapters and has served as a visiting professor at many academic institutions.  She serves on the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Cancer Prevention Committee, the NCI PDQ Editorial Board for Cancer Genetics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Gynecologic Practice Bulletins. In addition, she takes pride in having mentored many clinical fellows and trainees and has been awarded an M.D. Anderson Outstanding Educator Award. She has consistently been featured as one of America’s Top Doctors.

 

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1991 Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, MD
1986 Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, BA, Biochemical Sciences, cum laude

Postgraduate Training

9/2011-4/2012 Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM), Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
11/2007-4/2008 Clinical Safety and Effectiveness Training Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
1996-1999 Fellowship, Gynecologic Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Boston, MA
1991-1995 Internship and Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Board Certifications

2003 American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Diplomate, Div of Gynecologic Oncology
2001 American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Diplomate
1992 National Board of Medical Examiners, Diplomate

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Professor, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 9/2008-10/2012
Associate Professor, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 9/2004-8/2008
Assistant Professor, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1999-2004
Instructor, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 1995-1996

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Co-Director, Clinical Cancer Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006-present

Institutional Committee Activities

Member, 2011 Faculty Achievement Awards Committee, 5/2011

Honors and Awards

2011 Finalist, Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
2010 2010 Faculty Achievement Award in Cancer Prevention, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The Margaret and James A. Elkins, Jr. Faculty Achievement Award in Cancer Prevention
2009-2010 Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors
2009 America's Top Doctors for Cancer, Castle Connally Medical LTD
2007 Faculty Educator of the Month (October), UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
2007 Medical Honoree Award, Lynne Cohen Foundation
2004 Mischell Award, Wyeth Annual Therapeutic Options for Menopausal Health Confrerence
2003 Outstanding Educator Award, M.D. Anderson
2001-2004 Liz Tilberis Scholar Award, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
1999-2002 Burroughs Wellcome Award, American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation (AAOGF)
1998-1999 Academic Training Award, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ORTHO
1995 APGO/CREOG Parke-Davis Scholars Award
1994-1995 Administrative Chief Resident, Harvard Medical School
1990 Farr Scholar, Yale Medical School
1990 Summer Research Fellowship, Yale Medical School
1986 Radcliffe Travelling Fellowship, Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges
1986 Thomas Hoopes Prize "for outstanding undergraduate thesis", Harvard University

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Schmeler KM, Daniels MS, Soliman PT, Broaddus RR, Deavers MT, Vu TM, Chang GJ, Lu KH. Primary Peritoneal Cancer After Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy in Two Patients With Lynch Syndrome. Obstet Gynecol 115(2):432-4, 2/2010. PMID: 20093870.
2. Westin SN, Broaddus RR, Deng L, McCampbell A, Lu KH, Lacour RA, Milam MR, Urbauer DL, Mueller P, Pickar JH, Loose DS. Molecular clustering of endometrial carcinoma based on estrogen-induced gene expression. Cancer Biol Ther 8(22):2126-35, 11/2009. e-Pub 11/2009. PMCID: PMC2872176.
3. Lu KH, Yates MS, Mok SC. The monkey, the hen, and the mouse: models to advance ovarian cancer chemoprevention. Cancer Prev Res (Phila Pa) 2(9):773-5, 9/2009. e-Pub 9/2009. PMID: 19737981.
4. Lu KH. Management of Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer. Semin Oncol 36(2):137-44, 4/2009. PMID: 19332248.
5. Zhang Q, Shen Q, Celestino J, Milam MR, Westin SN, Lacour RA, Meyer LA, Shipley GL, Davies PJ, Deng L, McCampbell AS, Broaddus RR, Lu KH. Enhanced estrogen-induced proliferation in obese rat endometrium. Am J Obstet Gynecol 200(2):186.e1-8, 2/2009. PMID: 19185100.
6. Basen-Engquist K, Scruggs S, Jhingran A, Bodurka DC, Lu K, Ramondetta L, Hughes D, Carmack Taylor C. Physical activity and obesity in endometrial cancer survivors: associations with pain , fatigue, and physical functioning. Am J Obstet Gynecol 200(3):288, 2009.
7. Soliman PT, Bassett RL, Wilson EB, Boyd-Rogers S, Schmeler KM, Milam MR, Gershenson DM, Lu KH. Limited public knowledge of obesity and endometrial cancer risk: what women know. Obstet Gynecol 112(4):835-42, 10/2008. PMID: 18827126.
8. Kwon JS, Sun CC, Peterson SK, White KG, Daniels MS, Boyd-Rogers SG, Lu KH. Cost-effectiveness analysis of prevention strategies for gynecologic cancers in Lynch Syndrome. Cancer 113(2):326-35, 7/15/2008. PMID: 18506736.
9. Kwon JS, Lu KH. Cost-effectiveness analysis of endometrial cancer prevention strategies for obese women. Obstet Gynecol 112(1):56-63, 7/2008. PMID: 18591308.
10. Lu KH, Wu W, Dave B, Slomovitz BM, Burke TW, Munsell MF, Broaddus RR, Walker CL. Loss of tuberous sclerosis complex-2 function and activation of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling in endometrial carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 14(9):2543-50, 5/2008. PMID: 18451215.
11. Westin SN, Lacour RA, Urbauer DL, Luthra R, Bodurka D, Lu KH, Broaddus R. Carcinoma of the lower uterine segment: A newly described association with Lynch syndrome. J Clin Oncol 26(36):5965-71, 2008. e-Pub 11/2008. PMCID: PMC2645115.
12. Lu KH. Hereditary gynecologic cancers: differential diagnosis, surveillance, management and surgical prophylaxis. Fam Cancer 7(1):53-8, 2008. e-Pub 7/2007. PMID: 17636427.
13. Lu KH. Hereditary gynecologic cancers: differential diagnosis, surveillance, management and surgical prophylaxis. Fam Cancer 7(1):53-8, 7/2007.
14. Lu K, Schorge JO, Rodabaugh KJ, Daniels MS, Sun CC, Soliman PT, White KG, Luthra R, Gershenson DM, Broaddus RR. Prospective determination of prevalence of Lynch Syndrome in young women with endometrial cancer. J Clin Oncol 25:58-64, 2007.
15. Milam MR, Celestino J, Wu W, Broaddus RR, Slomovitz BM, Schmeler KM, Soliman PT, Gershenson DM, Wang H, Ellsenson LH, Lu KH. Reduced progression of endometrial hyperplasia with oral mTOR inhibition in the PTEN heterozygote murine model. Am J Obstet Gynecol 196:247.el-247.el-5, 2007.
16. Milam MR, Gu J, Yang H, Celestino J, Wu W, Horwitz IB, Lacour RA, Westin SN, Gershenson DM, Wu X, Lu K. STK15 F3II Polymorphism is associated with increased uterine cancer risk: A pilot study. Gynecol Oncol 107:71-4, 2007.
17. Schmeler K, Lynch H, Chen L, Munsell M, Soliman P, Clark M, White K, Boyd-Rogers S, Conrad P, Yang K, Rubin M, Sun C, Slomovitz B, Gershenson D, Lu K. Prophylactic surgery for the reduction of gynecologic cancer risk in women with Lynch Syndrome (HNPCC). N Eng J of Med 354:261-9, 2006.
18. Soliman PT, Slomovitz BM, Broaddus RR, Sun CC, Oh JC, Eifel PJ, Gershenson DM, Lu KH. Synchronous primary cancers of the endometrium and ovary: a single institution review of 84 cases. Gynecol Oncol 94:456-62, 2004. PMID: 15297188.

Book Chapters
1. Mok SC, Wong KK, Lu K, Munger K, Nagymanyoki Z. Molecular Basis of Gynecologic Diseases. In: Essential Concepts in Molecular Pathology. Ed(s) WR Coleman and GJ Tsongalis. Academic Press: Burlington, MA, 309-322, 2010.
2. Lu KH. Clinical Relevance of Hereditary Endometrial Cancer. In: Hereditary Gynecologic Cancer: Risk, Prevention, and Management. Informa Healthcare: New York City, NY, 2008.
3. Lu KH. Karen H. Lu, MD. In: Legends and Legacies: Personal Journeys of Women Physicians and Scientists at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Ed(s) EL Travis, PhD. The U T M.D. Anderson Cancer Center: Houston, TX, 107-115, 2008.
4. Lu KH, Keeler ER. Ovarian Cancer Screening. In: Early Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer. Elsevier: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2008.
5. Lu KH, Broaddus R. Endometrial Cancer Associated with Defective DNA Mismatch Repair. In: Prognostic and Predictive Factors in Gynecologic Cancers. Ed(s) C Levenback, R Coleman, K Lu, A Sood. Informa UK, Ltd: London, England, 185-196, 2007.
6. Lu KH, Skates S. Hereditary Breast Cancer. In: Prognostic and Predictive Factors in Gynecologic Cancers. Ed(s) T Rebbick, C Isaccs. Informa UK Ltd: London, England, 2007.
7. Lu KH, Slomovitz B. Neoplastic Diseases of the Uterus. In: Comprehensive Gynecology. Chapter 32, 5th. Ed(s) VL Katz, G Lentz, R Lobo, D Gershenson. Informa UK Ltd: Longdon, England, 818-838, 2007.
8. Lu KH. Organ Specific Cancer Control. In: Gynecologic Cancers, ASCOs Cancer Prevention Curriculum, 2007.
9. Lu KH. Prevention and Early Detection of Endometrial and Ovarian Cancers. In: Gynecologic Cancer. Chapter 2. Ed(s) PJ Eifel, DM Gershenson, JJ Kavanagh, EG Silva. Spring Scient and Business Media Inc, 12-19, 2006.
10. Lu KH Bell D. Borderline Ovarian Tumors. In: Gynecologic Cancer: Controversies in Management,. Elsevier Ltd,, Pg 519-526, Chapter 40, 2004.
11. Ramondetta, LM, Lu KH. Controversies in endometrial cancer screening and diagnosis. . In: Gynecologic Cancer: Controversies in Management. Pg 241-247. Elsevier Ltd, Chapter 17, 2004.
12. Lu KH, Gershenson DM, Poynor EA, Sabbatini PJ. Germ-cell and ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors. In: MSKCC-MDACC Handbook of Gynecologic Oncology. Martin Dunitz Publishers, Ltd., Pg 271-82, Chapter 15, 2002.
13. Burke TW, Lu KH. Surgical Treatment of Invasive Cervical Cancer. In: ACS Atlas of Clinical Oncology: Cancer of the Female Lower Genital Tract. B.C. Decker Inc., 133-145, 2001.

Books (edited and written)
1. Lu KH. Ed(s) KH Lu. Hereditary Gynecologic Cancer: Risk, Prevention and Management. Informa NYC: New York, NY, 2008.
2. C Levenback, R Coleman, K Lu, A Sood. Prognostic and Predictive Factors in Gynecologic Cancers. Informa UK Ltd: London, England, 2007.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Gynecologic Cancer SPORE for Uterine Cancers
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/1/2010 - 8/31/2015
 
Title: Lipotoxicity and Obesity Related Risk of Endometrial Carcinoma
Funding Source: UTHSC-Houston
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator: Perry Bickel, MD
Duration: 9/1/2008 - present
 
Title: Predictors of Survival: Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer
Funding Source: DOD/Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (DOD/CDMRP)
Role: Principal Investigator-MDACC
Principal Investigator: Dong Liang, PhD
Duration: 7/1/2007 - 6/30/2012
 
Title: M. D. Anderson Cancer Center-Ciphergen Collaboration in the Field of Gynecologic Disease
Funding Source: Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc.
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 10/1/2006 - 11/30/2007
 
Title: UPRCC/NDACC: Partnership for Excellence in Cancer Research
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator-Pilot Project C
Principal Investigator: Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, MD
Duration: 9/22/2006 - 8/31/2012
 
Title: Ovarian Cancer Proteomics Collaborative Trial
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator-MDACC
Duration: 9/1/2005 - 8/31/2008
 
Title: The Lynne Cohen High Risk Screening & Prevention Project for Ovarian and Breast Cancer
Funding Source: The Lynne Cohen Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 4/1/2005 - 8/31/2012
 
Title: Annual Uterine Cancer Symposium
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/1/2004 - 8/31/2011
 
Title: Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial in High Risk Women (Cancer Genetics Network/CGN)
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator-MDACC
Principal Investigator: Steven Skates, MD
Duration: 7/1/2004 - 6/30/2008
 
Title: Endometrial Cancer Translational Research Program
Funding Source: UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Multidisciplinary Research Program (MRP)
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 5/1/2002 - present
 
Title: Modulation of putative surrogate endpoint biomarkers in endometrial biopsies from women with HNPCC
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/30/2000 - 9/30/2009
 
Title: Specialized Program of Research Excellence in Ovarian Cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Project Leader
Principal Investigator: Robert C. Bast, M.D.
Duration: 9/30/1999 - 8/31/2015

Last updated: 2/8/2013