Alexa Glencer has recently been appointed as a breast cancer surgeon and researcher at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her arrival is seen as a major development for the institution’s ongoing efforts to improve care for patients facing breast cancer, especially those at high risk. Glencer brings extensive expertise in treating patients with inflammatory breast cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), two challenging forms of the disease.
One of her primary roles is enrolling patients in clinical trials that aim to speed up the discovery of new and effective treatments. Among these is the I-SPY 2 trial, which tests multiple drugs and matches them to individual breast cancer subtypes for greater effectiveness. Glencer’s commitment to research extends to studying how the immune system interacts with DCIS and exploring new therapies, including those based on mRNA technology. She plans to launch a new clinical trial comparing different treatments for DCIS patients, with the goal of identifying who benefits more from surgery and who might achieve good results with newer, less toxic endocrine therapies.
In addition to her work with clinical trials, Glencer leads the UC Davis site for the WISDOM trial. This study explores a personalized approach to breast cancer screening, using both genetic information and clinical risk factors to better tailor screening schedules for each patient. Her work is expected to help patients receive more precise treatments and screenings, reducing unnecessary procedures and making care more comfortable.
David Tom Cooke, Physician-in-Chief at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, expressed enthusiasm for Glencer’s appointment. He highlighted that her clinical and research abilities would play an important role in expanding the center’s access to top-quality breast cancer treatment and care. Cooke believes Glencer’s leadership will help shape the future of breast cancer therapies at UC Davis.
Glencer has a strong academic and medical background, having earned her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and her medical degree from UCSF School of Medicine. She went on to complete her surgical training at UCSF and a specialized fellowship in breast surgical oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her experience is expected to significantly benefit patients and research programs at UC Davis.
