About Inflammatory Breast Cancer International Consortium (IBC-IC)
The Inflammatory Breast Cancer International Consortium is dedicated to leading research and education that will save lives from the world’s toughest breast cancer.
The Inflammatory Breast Cancer International Consortium (IBC-IC) was founded to foster collaboration among inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) researchers and clinicians. The focus of our collaboration is to advance the leading research, education and information that will lead to the best outcomes and cures for IBC throughout the world.
Our researchers and clinicians work at many of the leading cancer institutions worldwide. They are committed to advancing IBC-specific research that will primarily bring an individualized approach to treatment—providing the greatest benefit and impact for those who have been diagnosed with IBC.
Our consortium’s research is centered on working together to gain a greater understanding of the cause of IBC by studying its nature and metastatic progression. Our goals are to advance the science and medicine of IBC and improve screening, early detection, treatment options and patient outcomes.
IBC-IC Mission
The mission and purpose of the IBC-IC is to engage, educate and collaborate worldwide to bring about breakthroughs that will save lives from the toughest breast cancer: inflammatory breast cancer.
IBC-IC History
In 2008, researchers and clinicians from the United States, France and Belgium joined together to foster collaboration, research and clinical trials for inflammatory breast cancer—forming the first “World IBC Consortium.” A specific IBC Registry was developed, and the First International Inflammatory Breast Cancer Symposium took place in Houston, Texas.
As more national and international researchers came together, the Inflammatory Breast Cancer International Consortium was established as a non-profit in 2014 to unite our efforts and move the bar forward with one world mission and vision. Founding members included Massimo Cristofanilli, MD; Kenneth van Golen, PhD; and Valerie Fraser, IBC Survivor and Research Advocate.
Our International Symposiums have been hosted in France, Belgium, Philadelphia and Boston. In 2018, the Sixth International IBC Symposium will take place in Spain.
IBC-IC Leadership
Officers:
Massimo Cristofanilli, MD
President
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Kenneth van Golen, PhD
Vice President and Treasurer
Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Valerie Fraser
Secretary and Director of International Research, Advocacy and Board Development
Directors:
Hamouda Boussen, MD
Mohamed Bouazizi Avenue Taoufik Clinic, Menzah, Tunisia
Gayathri Devi, PhD
Duke University School of Medicine, Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program, Durham, NC
Luc Dirix, MD, PhD
Sint-Augustinus Hospital Oncology Center, Antwerp, Belgium
Paul Levine, PhD
Professor of Epidemiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Sofia D. Merajver, MD, PhD
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI
Beth Overmoyer, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inflammatory Breast Cancer Program, Boston, MA
Laura Pena, PhD, DVM
Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Fredika Robertson, PhD
San Diego, CA
Steven Van Laere, MSc, PhD
Sint-Augustinus Hospital Translational Cancer Research Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
Patrice Viens, MD
Professor of Oncology, Director General of the Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, FrancePresident of UNICANCER