Postdoctoral Research, Women’s Cancer Research Center – University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA (2011-2016)
Ph.D., Pharmacology, 2011 – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (2006-2011)
B.S., Genetics and Molecular Biology – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (2002-2006)
Research
Research Interests:
Mechanisms of estrogen receptor (ER) signaling in breast cancer, with a focus on invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)
Mechanisms of resistance to endocrine therapies (ie anti-estrogen drugs)
Hormone receptor signaling and transcriptomics during endocrine therapy and the development of resistance to endocrine therapy
Development of new therapeutic strategies for breast cancer
Publications and Presentations
Selected Publications:
For full listings, see or search ‘Sikora MJ’ on Pubmed; further discussion and explanation of our work can be found at
Sikora, M.J. Family Matters: Collaboration and Conflict Among the Steroid Receptors Raises a Need for Group Therapy. Endocrinology. 2016 Dec;157(12):4553-4560. Review. PubMed PMID: 27835038; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5133350.
Sikora, M.J., et al. WNT4 mediates estrogen receptor signaling and endocrine resistance in invasive lobular carcinoma cells. In revision, Breast Cancer Research.
Sikora, M.J., et al. Endocrine response phenotypes are altered by charcoal-stripped serum variability. Endocrinology. 2016 Jul 26:en20161297. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 27459541.
Sikora, M.J., et al. Invasive lobular carcinoma cell lines are characterized by unique estrogen-mediated gene expression patterns and altered tamoxifen response. Cancer Res. 2014;74:1463–74. PMID: 24425047. PMCID: PMC3955299.
Sikora, M.J., et al. Invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast: patient response to systemic endocrine therapy and hormone response in model systems. Steroids. 2013 Jun;78(6):568-75. PMID: 23178159.
Sikora, M.J., et al. Mechanisms of estrogen-independent breast cancer growth driven by low estrogen concentrations are unique versus complete estrogen deprivation. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2012;134:1027–39. PMID: 22456984. PMCID: PMC3951731.
Sikora, M.J., et al. The Androgen Metabolite 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol (3βAdiol) Induces Breast Cancer Growth via Estrogen Receptor: Implications for Aromatase Therapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009 May;115(2):289-96. PMID: 18521740. PMCID: PMC2728015.