Behind the Research with Kimberly Burton
In honor of May’s National Cancer Research Awareness Month, we sat down with Study Director, Kimberly Burton, to learn more about her role and the incredible research she does for Dr. Frank Senecal, Dr. Tony Blau, and other oncologist partners throughout the South Sound.
Kimberly’s research and compassion for the work she does on behalf of our patients makes a profound impact in their care. Behind the scenes, she pours over biomedical research to assess patient cases and provide comprehensive research to their providers.
Thank you, Kimberly, for taking this time to speak with us.
Can you share more about your role as Study Director?
Absolutely! I collaborate closely with oncologists like Dr. Frank Senecal and Dr. Blau to explore options for patients who have exhausted conventional treatments. I analyze published biomedical studies, including early clinical trial data and molecular information, to create highly customized reports. These help oncologists understand what treatments might show promise—even if they’re still in early stages or being used in other cancer types.
Since 2013, the majority of my work supports the ITOMIC/All4Cure triple-negative breast cancer study, which focuses on deep molecular profiling to help patients and their oncologists make the most informed treatment decisions.
What does that research process look like?
Dr. Senecal will bring me a patient case, and I’ll dig into biomedical research—scouring studies, mutations, trial outcomes, and even pre-clinical animal studies—to find anything that could be relevant and ensure that nothing promising is overlooked. Next, our team builds a report that outlines the possibilities. It’s a team effort, and ultimately, Dr. Senecal and his patient decide together on what treatment path to take.
How is your team’s approach different from the reports patients get from biotech companies?
Biotech companies like Caris Life Sciences can run genomic tests and provide a report, but those reports aren’t personalized. They might list dozens of clinical trials, but they don’t consider important factors like where the trial is located, what stage it’s in, or whether it’s a realistic option for the patient. Our team goes deeper—we sort through the research to find the most promising and practical treatment options tailored to each individual.
What are some of the biggest challenges oncologists face in accessing compassionate use and Investigational New Drug (IND) studies?
Time and resources. Most oncologists simply don’t have the capacity—or the dedicated support team—to research and pursue these options. Applying for compassionate use or IND access is extremely time-intensive, often requiring over 100 hours to complete just one request. For many providers already balancing a full patient load, it’s not something they can realistically take on without help. And because these options are typically only pursued once a patient has exhausted standard of care treatments, it’s often difficult for providers to justify having full-time research teams.
What do you wish more people understood about how Investigational New Drugs (IND) are developed?
INDs require years of research, millions in funding, and relentless scientific effort. Biomedical companies only move forward with trials when there’s compelling evidence that a treatment could make a real difference. While patients may not always benefit, they should never be denied the opportunity to fight for more time. A new treatment could not only transform their lives but also open doors to future breakthroughs in cancer care.
