Kelly K. Hunt

Kelly K. Hunt, M.D., F.A.C.S. serves as Professor & Chair of the Department of Breast Surgical Oncology and holds the Olla Stribling Distinguished Chair for Cancer Research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She maintains joint appointments in the Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology and the Department of Surgical Oncology within the Division of Surgery.

Her research focuses on clinical and translational cancer research in solid tumors, primarily breast cancers and sarcomas. Dr. Hunt's laboratory has developed programs identifying novel therapeutic strategies and prognostic markers based on alterations in G1/S and G2/M checkpoints in tumor cells. Her work spans multiple research areas including inhibition of LMW forms of cyclin E for triple negative breast cancer, mechanisms of CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance in ER positive breast cancer, and novel treatment strategies for soft-tissue sarcomas.

Dr. Hunt co-directs the KeyHunt Laboratory with Dr. Khandan Keyomarsi, where they lead a comprehensive research program focused on cell cycle regulation in cancer. Their recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to understanding therapeutic resistance mechanisms and developing novel treatment approaches for breast cancer patients.

As Chair of the Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Dr. Hunt oversees clinical care, research initiatives, and educational programs related to breast cancer treatment. Her leadership extends to directing the CPRIT Research Training Program alongside Dr. Keyomarsi, which provides fundamental, interdisciplinary training in cancer research at MD Anderson.

The KeyHunt Laboratory maintains active collaborations across multiple departments and participates in clinical trials that translate laboratory findings into patient care. Their research on cell cycle dysregulation has particular relevance to developing more effective treatment strategies for challenging breast cancer subtypes.