Craig A. Bunnell, MD, MPH, MBA

Medical Oncology

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Contact Information

Fax

617-632-1930

Appointments

617-632-2175

Biography

Craig A. Bunnell, MD, MPH, MBA

Craig A. Bunnell, MD, MPH, MBA is Dana-Farber's Morse Family Chief Medical Officer and medical director for Adult Ambulatory Oncology. Dr. Bunnell received his bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, from Colorado College after which he was a Thomas J. Watson Fellow in Stockholm, Sweden. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and his MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health. He also earned his MBA from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Bunnell completed his internship, residency and fellowship in hematology and oncology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, where he also served as chief medical resident. Dr. Bunnell is a medical oncologist involved in research and the care of patients with breast cancer in the Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Researcher

Physician

Morse Family Chief Medical Officer

Institute Physician

Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Medical Director for Adult Ambulatory Oncology

Centers/Programs

Breast Oncology

Clinical Interests

Breast cancer, Quality of life, Symptom control

Board Certification

Medical Oncology

Fellowship

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Hematology & Oncology

Residency

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Internal Medicine

Medical School

Harvard Medical School

Recent Awards

Bass Scholar 2000

Research

View Dr. Bunnell’s Research

Novel Agents and Treatment Regimens for Breast Cancer

Our group has sought to advance the treatment of women with breast cancer through basic laboratory research, clinical trials, and correlative studies. We have conducted clinical treatment studies investigating the use of novel agents, innovative schedules, and combinations of established agents. Our group was the first to investigate the combination of trastuzumab and vinorelbine - a highly active and now standard therapy for women with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer. This combination is currently being investigated in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and metastatic settings. We also conducted some of the early trials of weekly taxane therapy. In the neoadjuvant setting, we have investigated various agents and combination regimens, including weekly trastuzumab with taxanes, vinorelbine, and letrozole. In addition, we studied novel intravenous agents such as the epothilone analogs, CCI-779, flavopiridol, and bevacizumab. Other clinical trials have investigated a number of new oral hormonal, chemotherapeutic, and biologic agents as well as their combinations, including ERA-923, UFT plus leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus eniluracil, oral vinorelbine, and OSI-776. To complement our treatment trials, we also have performed correlative basic science studies, which have sought to characterize HER2 signaling, assess markers of resistance, monitor response to therapy, and measure microscopic tumor burden. Other investigations have assessed patient compliance with oral chemotherapeutic regimens, evaluated patient attitudes and interest in participating in clinical trials, developed therapeutic agents and interventions to improve symptom control, and compared quality of life between various treatment options.

Research Departments

Medical Oncology/Solid Tumor Oncology

Publications

View Dr. Bunnell's Publications

Design and Implementation of an Opt-Out, End-to-End, Preemptive DPYD Testing Program for Patients Planned for a Systemic Fluoropyrimidine. JCO Oncol Pract. 2024 Aug; 20(8):1115-1122. View in: Pubmed
Neuroinvasive Bacillus cereus Infection in Immunocompromised Hosts: Epidemiologic Investigation of 5 Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2024 Mar; 11(3):ofae048. View in: Pubmed
Identifying Patterns and Barriers in OncotypeDX Recurrence Score Testing in Older Patients With Early-Stage, Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: Implications for Guidance and Reimbursement. JCO Oncol Pract. 2023 08; 19(8):560-570. View in: Pubmed
Early Findings on the Use of Clinical Pathways for Management of Unwarranted Variation in Cancer Care. Am J Med Qual. 2022 Mar-Apr 01; 37(2):103-110. View in: Pubmed
Phase I study of JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib with weekly paclitaxel for the treatment of HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2021 05; 87(5):673-679. View in: Pubmed
Lessons from the front: designing and implementing clinical pathways by and for clinicians. Am J Manag Care. 2020 02; 26(2 Spec No.):SP57-SP59. View in: Pubmed
A phase II study of ixabepilone and trastuzumab for metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. Ann Oncol. 2013 Jul; 24(7):1841-1847. View in: Pubmed
Developing a Novel Model to Improve Research and care for Cancer Survivors: a Feasibility Study. J Cancer Educ. 2019 04; 34(2):229-233. View in: Pubmed
Clinical Impact of Second Opinion Radiology Consultation for Patients With Breast Cancer. J Am Coll Radiol. 2019 Jun; 16(6):814-823. View in: Pubmed
Age and the Risk of Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathy in Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer (Alliance A151411): Results from 1,881 Patients from Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 40101. Oncologist. 2019 05; 24(5):617-623. View in: Pubmed
Impact of Genomic Assay Testing and Clinical Factors on Chemotherapy Use After Implementation of Standardized Testing Criteria. Oncologist. 2019 05; 24(5):595-602. View in: Pubmed
Surgeon Variability and Factors Predicting for Reoperation Following Breast-Conserving Surgery. Ann Surg Oncol. 2018 Sep; 25(9):2573-2578. View in: Pubmed
Implementation of Surgeon-Initiated Gene Expression Profile Testing (Onco type DX) Among Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer to Reduce Delays in Chemotherapy Initiation. J Oncol Pract. 2017 09; 13(9):e815-e820. View in: Pubmed
Factors Associated With Delays in Chemotherapy Initiation Among Patients With Breast Cancer at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2016 12; 14(12):1519-1526. View in: Pubmed
Teamwork and Electronic Health Record Implementation: A Case Study of Preserving Effective Communication and Mutual Trust in a Changing Environment. J Oncol Pract. 2016 11; 12(11):1075-1083. View in: Pubmed
Variation in the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor for dose dense paclitaxel: A single institution retrospective study. Breast. 2016 Dec; 30:136-140. View in: Pubmed
Implementation of a Breast/Reconstruction Surgery Coordinator to Reduce Preoperative Delays for Patients Undergoing Mastectomy With Immediate Reconstruction. J Oncol Pract. 2016 Mar; 12(3):e338-43. View in: Pubmed
Variation in Additional Breast Imaging Orders and Impact on Surgical Wait Times at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Ann Surg Oncol. 2015 Dec; 22 Suppl 3:S428-34. View in: Pubmed
The Influence of Radiology Image Consultation in the Surgical Management of Breast Cancer Patients. Ann Surg Oncol. 2015 Oct; 22(10):3383-8. View in: Pubmed
Using real time locating systems (RTLS) to redesign room allocation in an ambulatory cancer care setting. J Clin Oncol. 2014 Oct 20; 32(30_suppl):157. View in: Pubmed
Characteristics of emergency department visits among non-admitted oncology patients. J Clin Oncol. 2014 Oct 20; 32(30_suppl):37. View in: Pubmed
Standardizing coordination between surgical oncology and reconstructive surgery for breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. J Clin Oncol. 2014 Oct 20; 32(30_suppl):110. View in: Pubmed
Understanding process-of-care delays in surgical treatment of breast cancer at a comprehensive cancer center. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014 Nov; 148(1):125-33. View in: Pubmed
Use of potassium concentrations as a quality-of-service metric for phlebotomists detects systematic preanalytical biases and facilitates their correction. Clin Chem. 2014 Nov; 60(11):1453-5. View in: Pubmed
Measuring opportunities to improve timeliness of breast cancer care at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2014 Feb; 12 Suppl 1:S5-9. View in: Pubmed
Reducing breast cancer chemotherapy treatment delays by improving the transition from surgical to medical oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Nov; 31(31_suppl):51. View in: Pubmed
Disseminating team training across an academic cancer center and community-based satellites. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Nov; 31(31_suppl):188. View in: Pubmed
A phase II study of ixabepilone and trastuzumab for metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. Ann Oncol. 2013 Jul; 24(7):1841-1847. View in: Pubmed
High performance teamwork training and systems redesign in outpatient oncology. BMJ Qual Saf. 2013 May; 22(5):405-13. View in: Pubmed
Team training in adult oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Dec; 30(34_suppl):27. View in: Pubmed
Integrating value assessment into discussions about the price of cancer drugs. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012 Oct; 87(10):932-4. View in: Pubmed
Ixabepilone-associated peripheral neuropathy: data from across the phase II and III clinical trials. Support Care Cancer. 2012 Nov; 20(11):2661-8. View in: Pubmed
Long-term outcomes after neoadjuvant trastuzumab and chemotherapy for HER2+ breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2011 May 20; 29(15_suppl):e11074. View in: Pubmed
Will we be able to care for cancer patients in the future? Oncology (Williston Park). 2010 Dec; 24(14):1343-8. View in: Pubmed
Models of multidisciplinary cancer care: physician and patient perceptions in a comprehensive cancer center. J Oncol Pract. 2010 Nov; 6(6):283-8. View in: Pubmed
Phase I trial of liposomal doxorubicin and ZD1839 in patients with refractory gynecological malignancies or metastatic breast cancer. Int J Clin Oncol. 2010 Aug; 15(4):390-8. View in: Pubmed
Phase I/II study of ixabepilone plus capecitabine in anthracycline-pretreated/resistant and taxane-resistant metastatic breast cancer. Clin Breast Cancer. 2008 Jun; 8(3):234-41. View in: Pubmed
Phase II clinical trial of ixabepilone (BMS-247550), an epothilone B analog, in patients with taxane-resistant metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Aug 10; 25(23):3399-406. View in: Pubmed
Phase II clinical trial of ixabepilone (BMS-247550), an epothilone B analog, as first-line therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracycline chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Aug 10; 25(23):3415-20. View in: Pubmed
Phase I/II trial in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) previously treated with a taxane and an anthracycline: Final safety data. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Jun 20; 24(18_suppl):10528. View in: Pubmed
Phase I trial of liposomal doxorubicin and ZD 1839 in patients with refractory gynecological malignancies or metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Jun 20; 24(18_suppl):5085. View in: Pubmed
Manageable safety profile in patients with taxane-resistant metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated with ixabepilone: Final report. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Jun 20; 24(18_suppl):10587. View in: Pubmed
Final efficacy results of a phase I/II trial of ixabepilone in combination with capecitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) previously treated with a taxane and an anthracycline. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Jun 20; 24(18_suppl):10511. View in: Pubmed
Effects of a music therapy intervention on quality of life and distress in women with metastatic breast cancer. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2006; 4(3):116-24. View in: Pubmed
Efficacy of pegfilgrastim and darbepoetin alfa as hematopoietic support for dose-dense every-2-week adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Nov 20; 23(33):8340-7. View in: Pubmed
Assessment of a dietary questionnaire in cancer patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Nov 20; 23(33):8453-60. View in: Pubmed
Prospective evaluation of concurrent paclitaxel and radiation therapy after adjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy for Stage II or III breast cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2006 Feb 01; 64(2):496-504. View in: Pubmed
Paroxetine is an effective treatment for hot flashes: results from a prospective randomized clinical trial. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Oct 01; 23(28):6919-30. View in: Pubmed
Adjuvant ovarian suppression versus chemotherapy for premenopausal, hormone-responsive breast cancer: quality of life and efficacy tradeoffs. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2005 Sep; 93(1):25-34. View in: Pubmed
[Advances in sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer]. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 2004 Oct; 31(10):1601-7. View in: Pubmed
Trastuzumab and vinorelbine as first-line therapy for HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer: multicenter phase II trial with clinical outcomes, analysis of serum tumor markers as predictive factors, and cardiac surveillance algorithm. J Clin Oncol. 2003 Aug 01; 21(15):2889-95. View in: Pubmed
Central nervous system metastases in women who receive trastuzumab-based therapy for metastatic breast carcinoma. Cancer. 2003 Jun 15; 97(12):2972-7. View in: Pubmed
Preoperative therapy with trastuzumab and paclitaxel followed by sequential adjuvant doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide for HER2 overexpressing stage II or III breast cancer: a pilot study. J Clin Oncol. 2003 Jan 01; 21(1):46-53. View in: Pubmed
Lumping versus splitting: the splitters take this round. J Clin Oncol. 2002 Sep 01; 20(17):3576-7. View in: Pubmed
Phase I clinical trial of 7-cyanoquinocarcinol (DX-52-1) in adult patients with refractory solid malignancies. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2001 Nov; 48(5):347-55. View in: Pubmed
New cytotoxic agents and schedules for advanced breast cancer. Semin Oncol. 2001 Aug; 28(4):344-58. View in: Pubmed
Clinical activity of trastuzumab and vinorelbine in women with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2001 May 15; 19(10):2722-30. View in: Pubmed
Quality of life issues among women undergoing high-dose chemotherapy for breast cancer. Breast Dis. 2001; 14:41-50. View in: Pubmed
Docetaxel administered on a weekly basis for metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2000 Mar; 18(6):1212-9. View in: Pubmed
Double high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue (HD-SCR) in patients with breast cancer - effect of sequence. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2000; 45(3):239-46. View in: Pubmed
Current perspectives for treatment of breast cancer. Breast Cancer. 2000; 7(4):380-8. View in: Pubmed
The interval between courses of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue: therapeutic hypotheses. Bone Marrow Transplant. 1999 Nov; 24(9):939-45. View in: Pubmed
Oral 5-FU analogues in the treatment of breast cancer. Oncology (Williston Park). 1998 Oct; 12(10 Suppl 7):39-43. View in: Pubmed
A Phase I trial of ifosfamide and paclitaxel with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in the treatment of patients with refractory solid tumors. Cancer. 1998 Feb 01; 82(3):561-6. View in: Pubmed
The presence of membrane-bound stem cell factor on highly immature nonmetachromatic mast cells in the peripheral blood of a patient with aggressive systemic mastocytosis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1996 Oct; 98(4):831-40. View in: Pubmed