Faculty Appointments
Patient Care Settings
Cancer, Hematology & Oncology
Biography
Professional Background
Dr. Carla Falkson is the Director of the Breast Oncology Clinical Research Program and Breast Cancer Service Line at the UR Medicine Wilmot Cancer Institute. She is also the Medical Director of Pluta Cancer Center.
Dr. Falkson's research is focused on developing innovative treatments for patients with breast cancer. For the past three decades, she has been actively involved in the development and planning of clinical trials using new agents, including genomic and other translational approaches such as circulating tumor DNA, to improve the selection of patients for specific treatments and thus improving the outcome for patients. As a seasoned investigator, she has led the Eastern Co-operative Group Research at her previous two institutions and now continues this legacy of excellence at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Dr. Falkson's philosophy is to understand the patient and his or her disease. She believes it is important to listen to a patient and hear their needs especially since their cancers, despite similarities, are all unique and need different approaches for treatment. She has a special interest in treating HER2 amplified (over-expressed), hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, and treatment modalities for optimal bone health in breast cancer patients. Dr. Falkson delivers the best care, which often entails cutting-edge therapies and clinical trials. She is passionate about helping current and future generations of patients with cancer.
Credentials
Education
1982
MBBCH | University Of Pretoria (South Africa)
Post-doctoral Training & Residency
09/08/1989 - 03/30/1994
Fellowship in Hematology & Oncology at Steve Biko Academic Hospital of Pretoria (South Africa)
07/01/1986 - 06/30/1987
Fellowship in Medical Oncology at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
11/23/1983 - 09/07/1989
Residency in Hematology & Oncology at Steve Biko Academic Hospital of Pretoria (South Africa)
11/22/1982 - 11/22/1983
Internship at Kalafong Hospital Pretoria (South Africa)
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Awards
2018
Unsung Hero Award
Sponsor: Dept of Medicine, University of Alabama
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
2013 - 2017
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Sponsor: Castle Connolly's Top Doctors
2012 - Present
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Sponsor: US News Top Doctors
2012 - 2013
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Sponsor: Castle Connolly's Top Doctors 2012-2013
2000 - Present
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Sponsor: Outstanding Personalities of the 20th Century
2000 - Present
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Sponsor: Outstanding Women of the 20th Century
2000 - Present
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Sponsor: Outstanding Scholars of the 20th Century
2000 - Present
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Sponsor: Outstanding Intellectuals of the 20th Century
2000 - Present
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Sponsor: Outstanding People of the 20th Century, 2nd Edition
2000 - 2001
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Sponsor: Who's Who and Healthcare 3rd edition 2000-2001
1999
Research Committee Merit Certificate for outstanding article in all categories
Sponsor: Faculty of Medicine, University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa
1998
ECOG Statistical Center Award for Excellence in Data Management
Sponsor: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)
Location: University of Pretoria, S Africa
1997
Sister Joan Award for Outstanding Achievement and Service to the Community
Sponsor: St Mary's Diocesan School for Girls
Location: Pretoria, S Africa
1996
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group award for best Quality of Life Evaluations submitted
Sponsor: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)
Location: Pretoria, S Africa
1996
ECOG Statistical Center Award for Excellence in Quality of Data
Sponsor: ECOG Statistical Center Award for Excellence in Quality of Data
Location: University of Pretoria, S Africa
1995 - Present
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Sponsor: Who's Who in America
1995 - Present
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Sponsor: Who's Who in Science
1995 - Present
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Sponsor: Dictionary of International Biography
1995 - Present
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Sponsor: Who's Who in the World
1995 - Present
Women's Directory
Sponsor: Listing of Leading Women in South Africa
1984
"MER-National" prize for article
Location: S Africa
1981
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa
1981
H W Snyman Preventive Medicine prize
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa
1980
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa
1979
H W Snyman Award for Outstanding Achievement
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa
1979
Virology Prize
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa
1979
Physiology Prize
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa
1979
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement;
Sponsor: University of Pretoria,
Location: S Africa
1978
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa
1977
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa
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Clinical Trials
A Phase III Adjuvant Trial Evaluating the Addition of Adjuvant Chemotherapy to Ovarian Function Suppression Plus Endocrine Therapy in Premenopausal Patients With pN0-1, ER-Positive/HER2-Negative Breast Cancer and an Oncotype Recurrence Score Less Than or Equal to 25 (OFSET)
Lead Researcher: Carla Falkson
This Phase III Trial will determine whether adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) added to ovarian function suppression (OFS) plus endocrine therapy (ET) is superior to OFS plus ET in improving invasive breast cancer-free survival (IBCFS) among premenopausal, early- stage breast cancer (EBC) patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative tumors and 21-gene recurrence score (RS) between 16-25 (for pN0 patients) and 0-25 (for pN1 patients).
View Study Details
EMBER-4: A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase 3 Study of Adjuvant Imlunestrant vs Standard Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Patients Who Have Previously Received 2 to 5 Years of Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for ER+, HER2- Early Breast Cancer With an Increased Risk of Recurrence
Lead Researcher: Carla Falkson
The main purpose of this study is to measure how well imlunestrant works compared to standard hormone therapy in participants with early breast cancer that is estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and human epidermal receptor 2 negative (HER2-). Participants must have already taken endocrine therapy for two to five years and must have a higher-than-average risk for their cancer to return. Study participation could last up to 10 years.
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Publications
Journal Articles
1/31/2024
Neupane N, Bawek S, Gurusinghe S, Ghaffary EM, Mirmosayyeb O, Thapa S, Falkson C, O'Regan R, Dhakal A. "Oral SERD, a Novel Endocrine Therapy for Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer." Cancers.. 2024 Jan 31; 16(3)Epub 2024 Jan 31.
2024
Millard T, Brenin C, Humphrey C, Dhakal A, Falkson C, Petroni G, Wages NA, Dillon P. "A Pilot Study of the Combination of Entinostat with Capecitabine in Advanced Breast Cancer." International journal of breast cancer.. 2024 2024:5515966. Epub 2024 Feb 07.
4/3/2023
Hallemeier CL, Moughan J, Haddock MG, Herskovic AM, Minsky BD, Suntharalingam M, Zeitzer KL, Garg MK, Greenwald BD, Komaki RU, Puckett LL, Kim H, Lloyd S, Bush DA, Kim HE, Lad TE, Meyer JE, Okawara GS, Raben A, Schefter TE, Barker JL, Falkson CI, Videtic GMM, Jacob R, Winter KA, Crane CH. "Association of Radiotherapy Duration With Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Esophageal Cancer Treated in NRG Oncology Trials: A Secondary Analysis of NRG Oncology Randomized Clinical Trials." JAMA network open.. 2023 Apr 3; 6(4):e238504. Epub 2023 Apr 03.
Books & Chapters
2005
Chapter Title: Adjuvant Therapy of Breast Cancer
Book Title: Breast Cancer in Women of African Descent.
Author List: Williams C, Falkson Carla
Edited By: Williams CKO, Olopade OI, Falkson CI
Published By: Springer 2005 in Dordrecht,The Netherlands.
2003
Book Title: Breast Cancer
Author List: Falkson C I
Published By: Oxmoor House 2003 in Birmingham, Alabama
1998
Chapter Title: Breast Cancer
Book Title: MIMS Disease Review
Author List: Falkson C I, Eek R W
Edited By: J R Snyman, de K Sommers
Published By: MIMS 1998 in Pretoria
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Reviews
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