Carla Falkson, M.B.Ch.B., M.Med., M.D.

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
MBCHB | University of Pretoria

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

9/8/1989 - 3/30/1994
Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at University of Pretoria

7/1/1986 - 6/30/1987
Fellowship in Medical Oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Cnter

11/23/1983 - 9/7/1989
Residency in Hematology/Oncology at University of Pretoria

11/22/1982 - 11/22/1983
Internship in at One Military Hospital

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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
Directory Listing
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 study to assess overall response rate by inducing an inflammatory phenotype in Metastatic BReast cAnCEr with the Oncolytic Reovirus PeLareorEp in CombinaTion with anti-PD-L1 Avelumab and Paclitaxel - BRACELET-1 Study

Lead Researcher: Carla Falkson

The purpose of this study is to find out the possible anti-cancer effect of pelareorep in combination with chemotherapy [paclitaxel] and avelumab in treating a type of breast cancer called Hormone Receptor positive (HR+)/Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 negative(HER2-) breast cancer, which is either locally advanced or has metastasized (cancer that has spread in your body). The study will investigate if pelareorep in combination with paclitaxel and avelumab is more effective than paclitaxel alone, or pelareorep and paclitaxel. The safety of the combination treatments will also be evaluated.

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Publications

Journal Articles

3/4/2021
Stringer-Reasor EM, May JE, Olariu E, Caterinicchia V, Li Y, Chen D, Della Manna DL, Rocque GB, Vaklavas C, Falkson CI, Nabell LM, Acosta EP, Forero-Torres A, Yang ES. "An open-label, pilot study of veliparib and lapatinib in patients with metastatic, triple-negative breast cancer." Breast cancer research : BCR.. 2021 Mar 4; 23(1):30. Epub 2021 Mar 04.

11/2020
Carpenter J, Forero A, Falkson CI, Nabell LM, De Los Santos JF, Krontiras H, Bland KI, Li Y, Bae S. "Less Toxic Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer." Southern medical journal.. 2020 Nov 0; 113(11):559-563.

9/15/2020
Kizub DA, Miao J, Schubert MM, Paterson AHG, Clemons M, Dees EC, Ingle JN, Falkson CI, Barlow WE, Hortobagyi GN, Gralow JR. "Risk factors for bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw in the prospective randomized trial of adjuvant bisphosphonates for early-stage breast cancer (SWOG 0307)." Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer.. 2020 Sep 15; Epub 2020 Sep 15.

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: Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Book Title: Cancer Treatment and Research, Gastrointestinal Oncology
Author List: Falkson G, Falkson C I, Garbers L M
Edited By: Al B Benson III
Published By: Kluwer Academic Publishers 1998 in Boston

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Carla Falkson, M.B.Ch.B., M.Med., M.D.

Contact Information

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Faculty Appointments

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Biography

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