Craig A. Bunnell, MD, MPH, MBA

Medical Oncology

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Physician

Chief Medical Officer
Institute Physician
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Centers/Programs

Breast Oncology

Clinical Interests

Breast cancer, Quality of life, Symptom control

Contact Information

Appointments617-632-2175 (new)
617-632-3800 (follow-up)
Office Phone Number617-632-3800
Fax617-632-1930

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Bio

Dr. Bunnell received his MD from Harvard Medical School and his MPH from Harvard School of Public Health in 1990. He received his MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2008. He completed his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in hematology and oncology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, where he also served as chief medical resident. He joined Dana-Farber in 1996, and is a member of the Breast Oncology Center in the Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers. Dr. Bunnell was named Dana-Farber's Chief Medical Officer in 2012.

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

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.

View Dr. Bunnell's Publications

Jackman DM, Hamilton J, Foster E, Bunnell CA, Culot L, Tremonti C, Jacobson JO. 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.
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Tolaney SM, Najita J, Sperinde J, Huang W, Chen WY, Savoie J, Fornier M, Winer EP, Bunnell C, Krop IE. A phase II study of ixabepilone and trastuzumab for metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. Ann Oncol. 2013 Jul; 24(7):1841-1847.
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Rosenberg SM, Ligibel JA, Meyerhardt JA, Jacobsen ED, Garber JE, Nekhlyudov L, Bunnell CA, Nutting P, Sprunck-Harrild K, Walsh SK, Partridge AH. Developing a Novel Model to Improve Research and care for Cancer Survivors: a Feasibility Study. J Cancer Educ. 2019 04; 34(2):229-233.
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Whorms DS, Giess CS, Golshan M, Freedman RA, Bunnell CA, Alper EC, Losk K, Khorasani R. Clinical Impact of Second Opinion Radiology Consultation for Patients With Breast Cancer. J Am Coll Radiol. 2019 Jun; 16(6):814-823.
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Barginear M, Dueck AC, Allred JB, Bunnell C, Cohen HJ, Freedman RA, Hurria A, Kimmick G, Le-Rademacher JG, Lichtman S, Muss HB, Shulman LN, Copur MS, Biggs D, Ramaswamy B, Lafky JM, Jatoi A. 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.
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Natsuhara KH, Losk K, King TA, Lin NU, Camuso K, Golshan M, Pochebit S, Brock JE, Bunnell CA, Freedman RA. Impact of Genomic Assay Testing and Clinical Factors on Chemotherapy Use After Implementation of Standardized Testing Criteria. Oncologist. 2019 05; 24(5):595-602.
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Valero MG, Mallory MA, Losk K, Tukenmez M, Hwang J, Camuso K, Bunnell C, King T, Golshan M. Surgeon Variability and Factors Predicting for Reoperation Following Breast-Conserving Surgery. Ann Surg Oncol. 2018 Sep; 25(9):2573-2578.
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Losk K, Freedman RA, Lin NU, Golshan M, Pochebit SM, Lester SC, Natsuhara K, Camuso K, King TA, Bunnell CA. 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.
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Losk K, Vaz-Luis I, Camuso K, Batista R, Lloyd M, Tukenmez M, Golshan M, Lin NU, Bunnell CA. 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.
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Gross AH, Leib RK, Tonachel A, Tonachel R, Bowers DM, Burnard RA, Rhinehart CA, Valentim R, Bunnell CA. 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.
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Barroso-Sousa R, Paes FR, Vaz-Luis I, Batista RB, Costa RB, Losk K, Camuso K, Metzger-Filho O, Hughes ME, Bunnell CA, Golshan M, Winer EP, Lin NU. Variation in the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor for dose dense paclitaxel: A single institution retrospective study. Breast. 2016 Dec; 30:136-140.
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Golshan M, Losk K, Mallory MA, Camuso K, Cutone L, Caterson S, Bunnell CA. 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.
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Golshan M, Losk K, Mallory MA, Camuso K, Troyan S, Lin NU, Kadish S, Bunnell CA. 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.
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Mallory MA, Losk K, Lin NU, Sagara Y, Birdwell RL, Cutone L, Camuso K, Bunnell C, Aydogan F, Golshan M. The Influence of Radiology Image Consultation in the Surgical Management of Breast Cancer Patients. Ann Surg Oncol. 2015 Oct; 22(10):3383-8.
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Kadish S, Haskett C, Sanderson K, Benneyan J, Reilly C, Pedulla LV, Brown L, Camuso K, Bunnell CA. 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.
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Schleicher S, Baugh C, Bunnell CA, Mersereau R, Potiris S, Jacobson JO. Characteristics of emergency department visits among non-admitted oncology patients. J Clin Oncol. 2014 Oct 20; 32(30_suppl):37.
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Hergrueter CA, Camuso K, Lin NU, Cutone L, Hirshfield-Bartek J, Roberts P, Runkle W, Kadish S, Losk K, Bunnell CA. 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.
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Golshan M, Losk K, Kadish S, Lin NU, Hirshfield-Bartek J, Cutone L, Sagara Y, Aydogan F, Camuso K, Weingart SN, Bunnell C. 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.
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Greenblatt MB, Torre M, Means J, Tanasijevic M, Vitale Pedulla L, Bunnell CA, Conrad MJ, Jarolim P. 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.
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Bunnell CA, Losk K, Kadish S, Lin N, Hirshfield-Bartek J, Cutone L, Camuso K, Golshan M, Weingart S. 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.
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Kadish S, Golshan M, Lin N, Hirshfield-Bartek J, Cutone L, Bunnell CA, Weingart S. Reducing breast cancer chemotherapy treatment delays by improving the transition from surgical to medical oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Nov; 31(31_suppl):51.
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Mann S, Weingart S, Kalfin M, Norden AD, Buswell LA, Constantine M, Fuller F, Briccetti F, Thiele J, Freter R, Kostka J, Sherwood GK, O'Connor J, Bunnell CA. Disseminating team training across an academic cancer center and community-based satellites. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Nov; 31(31_suppl):188.
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Tolaney SM, Najita J, Sperinde J, Huang W, Chen WY, Savoie J, Fornier M, Winer EP, Bunnell C, Krop IE. A phase II study of ixabepilone and trastuzumab for metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. Ann Oncol. 2013 Jul; 24(7):1841-7.
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Bunnell CA, Gross AH, Weingart SN, Kalfin MJ, Partridge A, Lane S, Burstein HJ, Fine B, Hilton NA, Sullivan C, Hagemeister EE, Kelly AE, Colicchio L, Szabatura AH, Winer EP, Salisbury M, Mann S. High performance teamwork training and systems redesign in outpatient oncology. BMJ Qual Saf. 2013 May; 22(5):405-13.
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Mann S, Kalfin M, Lane S, Weingart S, Bunnell CA. Team training in adult oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Dec; 30(34_suppl):27.
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Bunnell C. Integrating value assessment into discussions about the price of cancer drugs. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012 Oct; 87(10):932-4.
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Vahdat LT, Thomas ES, Roché HH, Hortobagyi GN, Sparano JA, Yelle L, Fornier MN, Martín M, Bunnell CA, Mukhopadhyay P, Peck RA, Perez EA. Ixabepilone-associated peripheral neuropathy: data from across the phase II and III clinical trials. Support Care Cancer. 2012 Nov; 20(11):2661-8.
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Gropper A, Burstein HJ, Harris L, Anderson KS, Gold JM, Younger WJ, Bunnell CA, Najita JS, Winer EP, Mayer EL. Long-term outcomes after neoadjuvant trastuzumab and chemotherapy for HER2+ breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2011 May 20; 29(15_suppl):e11074.
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Bunnell CA, Shulman LN. Will we be able to care for cancer patients in the future? Oncology (Williston Park). 2010 Dec; 24(14):1343-8.
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Bunnell CA, Weingart SN, Swanson S, Mamon HJ, Shulman LN. Models of multidisciplinary cancer care: physician and patient perceptions in a comprehensive cancer center. J Oncol Pract. 2010 Nov; 6(6):283-8.
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Campos SM, Berlin ST, Parker LM, Chen WY, Bunnell CA, Atkinson T, Lee J, Matulonis U, Hirsch MS, Harris L, Krasner CN. 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.
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Bunnell C, Vahdat L, Schwartzberg L, Gralow J, Klimovsky J, Poulart V, Peck R, Thomas E. 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.
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Thomas E, Tabernero J, Fornier M, Conté P, Fumoleau P, Lluch A, Vahdat LT, Bunnell CA, Burris HA, Viens P, Baselga J, Rivera E, Guarneri V, Poulart V, Klimovsky J, Lebwohl D, Martin M. 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.
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Roché H, Yelle L, Cognetti F, Mauriac L, Bunnell C, Sparano J, Kerbrat P, Delord JP, Vahdat L, Peck R, Lebwohl D, Ezzeddine R, Curé H. 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.
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Vahdat LT, Klimovsky J, Bunnell CA. 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.
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Campos SM, Parker L, Chen W, Bunnell CA, Atkinson T, Lee J, Matulonis UA, Harris LN, Krasner CN. 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.
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Fornier MN, Martin M, Klimovsky J, Bunnell CA. 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.
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Bunnell CA, Klimovsky J, Thomas E. 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.
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Hanser SB, Bauer-Wu S, Kubicek L, Healey M, Manola J, Hernandez M, Bunnell C. 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.
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Burstein HJ, Parker LM, Keshaviah A, Doherty J, Partridge AH, Schapira L, Ryan PD, Younger J, Harris LN, Moy B, Come SE, Schumer ST, Bunnell CA, Haldoupis M, Gelman R, Winer EP. 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.
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Meyerhardt JA, Heseltine D, Campos H, Holmes MD, Willett WC, Winer EP, Enzinger PC, Bunnell CA, Kulke MH, Fuchs CS. Assessment of a dietary questionnaire in cancer patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Nov 20; 23(33):8453-60.
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Burstein HJ, Bellon JR, Galper S, Lu HM, Kuter I, Taghian AG, Wong J, Gelman R, Bunnell CA, Parker LM, Garber JE, Winer EP, Harris JR, Powell SN. 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.
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Stearns V, Slack R, Greep N, Henry-Tilman R, Osborne M, Bunnell C, Ullmer L, Gallagher A, Cullen J, Gehan E, Hayes DF, Isaacs C. 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.
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Elkin EB, Weinstein MC, Kuntz KM, Bunnell CA, Weeks JC. 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.
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Sato K, Tamaki K, Bunnell CA, Hiraide H, Mochizuki H. [Advances in sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer]. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 2004 Oct; 31(10):1601-7.
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Burstein HJ, Harris LN, Marcom PK, Lambert-Falls R, Havlin K, Overmoyer B, Friedlander RJ, Gargiulo J, Strenger R, Vogel CL, Ryan PD, Ellis MJ, Nunes RA, Bunnell CA, Campos SM, Hallor M, Gelman R, Winer EP. 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.
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Bendell JC, Domchek SM, Burstein HJ, Harris L, Younger J, Kuter I, Bunnell C, Rue M, Gelman R, Winer E. Central nervous system metastases in women who receive trastuzumab-based therapy for metastatic breast carcinoma. Cancer. 2003 Jun 15; 97(12):2972-7.
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Burstein HJ, Harris LN, Gelman R, Lester SC, Nunes RA, Kaelin CM, Parker LM, Ellisen LW, Kuter I, Gadd MA, Christian RL, Kennedy PR, Borges VF, Bunnell CA, Younger J, Smith BL, Winer EP. 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.
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Bunnell CA, Winer EP. Lumping versus splitting: the splitters take this round. J Clin Oncol. 2002 Sep 01; 20(17):3576-7.
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Bunnell CA, Supko JG, Eder JP, Clark JW, Lynch TJ, Kufe DW, Shulman LN. 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.
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Burstein HJ, Bunnell CA, Winer EP. New cytotoxic agents and schedules for advanced breast cancer. Semin Oncol. 2001 Aug; 28(4):344-58.
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Burstein HJ, Kuter I, Campos SM, Gelman RS, Tribou L, Parker LM, Manola J, Younger J, Matulonis U, Bunnell CA, Partridge AH, Richardson PG, Clarke K, Shulman LN, Winer EP. Clinical activity of trastuzumab and vinorelbine in women with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2001 May 15; 19(10):2722-30.
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Partridge AH, Bunnell CA, Winer EP. Quality of life issues among women undergoing high-dose chemotherapy for breast cancer. Breast Dis. 2001; 14:41-50.
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Burstein HJ, Manola J, Younger J, Parker LM, Bunnell CA, Scheib R, Matulonis UA, Garber JE, Clarke KD, Shulman LN, Winer EP. Docetaxel administered on a weekly basis for metastatic breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2000 Mar; 18(6):1212-9.
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Frei E, Ara G, Teicher B, Bunnell C, Richardson P, Wheeler C, Tew K, Elias A. 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.
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Bunnell C. Current perspectives for treatment of breast cancer. Breast Cancer. 2000; 7(4):380-8.
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Frei E, Richardson P, Avigan D, Bunnell C, Wheeler C, Elias A. The interval between courses of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue: therapeutic hypotheses. Bone Marrow Transplant. 1999 Nov; 24(9):939-45.
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Bunnell CA, Winer EP. Oral 5-FU analogues in the treatment of breast cancer. Oncology (Williston Park). 1998 Oct; 12(10 Suppl 7):39-43.
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Bunnell CA, Thompson L, Buswell L, Berkowitz R, Muto M, Sheets E, Shulman LN. 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.
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Castells MC, Friend DS, Bunnell CA, Hu X, Kraus M, Osteen RT, Austen KF. 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.
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