Hospital Research Teams
Laboratory for Innovation in Breast Cancer - LANTERN
Overview

The Laboratory for Innovation in Breast Cancer transforms cutting-edge research into better outcomes for patients. Our multidisciplinary team - radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, biostatisticians, geneticists, and clinical researchers - collaborates to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and patient care. We combine deep clinical expertise with rigorous scientific investigation, conducting both translational research and clinical trials to advance cancer care. This integrated approach allows us to rapidly translate promising findings into novel treatment options for our patients.
Our projects
- The HERO trial (NRG BR008): a phase III trial investigating the optimization of radiation therapy in low-risk, HER2 positive breast cancer patients to characterize the benefit of radiotherapy in this population.
- We are conducting a phase I trial to identify the maximal tolerated dose of abemaciclib when administered concurrently with palliative radiation therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
- We are creating and piloting a large language model (LLM)-based approach to improve the efficiency and scale of clinical trial screening, utilizing a human-in-the-loop model to train AI to accurately screen complex oncology documentation and identify patients eligible for a wide range of clinical trials.
- The PRECISION Trial: a phase II study of radiotherapy omission for low-risk, hormone receptor positive breast cancer deemed low-risk by PAM-50.
- The ARCHER Trial: a phase II randomized trial for patients with HER2-positive oligometastatic breast cancer, investigating the efficacy of local consolidative therapy to mitigate metastatic progression and improve long term outcomes.
Publications
Braunstein LZ, Boe L, Mueller B, Obrien DR, Choi I, Cuaron J, Xu A, Bernstein M, McCormick B, Powell SN, Khan AJ. (2025). Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation for Early-Stage Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. Mar;121(4):894-899. [PMID: 39461598].
Roth O’Brien DA, Braunstein LZ. (2025). Personalized approaches to breast radiotherapy: strategies for treatment refinement. Clin Adv Hematol Oncol. Jan-Feb;23(1):30-39. [PMID: 39907575].
Loap P, Kirova Y, Braunstein LZ. (2024). Honing Locoregional Therapy for Breast Cancer: Refinement of Surgical and Radiotherapeutic Management. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. Dec;120(5):1199-1204. [PMID: 39550112].
Cederquist GY, Boe LA, Walsh M, Freedman GM, Maxwell KN, Taunk N, Braunstein LZ. (2024). Radiation-Associated Secondary Cancer in Patients With Breast Cancer Harboring TP53 Germline Variants. JAMA Oncol. Nov;10(11):1588-1590. [PMID: 39264591].
O’Brien DR, Boe L, Montagna G, Mueller B, Chino F, Cuaron J, Choi JI, Xu A, Bernstein M, McCormick B, Powell S, Khan AJ, Braunstein LZ. (2024). Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation for HER2-Positive Early-Stage Breast Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. Feb;118(2):468-473. [PMID: 37791937].
People

- Harvard Medical School

Radiation Oncologist, Program Director
Members

















Associate Attending (Radiation Oncology)

Radiation Oncology Resident

Research Scholar (Sloan Kettering Institute)

Associate Attending (Radiation Oncology)

Radiation Oncology Resident

Clinical Research Coordinator (Radiation Oncology)

Radiation Oncology Resident

Chief, Associate Attending (Medical Physics)

Radiation Oncology Resident

Associate Attending (Radiation Oncology)

Radiation Oncology Resident

MD-PhD Student

Radiation Oncology Resident

Assistant Attending (Radiation Oncology)

Radiation Oncology Resident

Assistant Attending (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)

Alumni
Research Student

Resident
Resident
Research Student
Resident
Affiliations
News & Events
Open Positions
To learn more about available postdoctoral opportunities, please visit our Career Center
Career Opportunities
Our group is consistently looking for highly motivated researchers and trainees who seek to improve how breast cancer is understood is managed. Please email inquiries to BRAUNSTL@mskcc.org.