Education
- Fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology
Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX
- Medical Doctorate
Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
Conditions
Dr. Wilks primarily treats breast cancer and hematologic malignancies. She has a diverse practice, which also includes an interest in benign hematology.
Accolades & Memberships
- Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
- American Cancer Society Volunteer of the Year, San Antonio Metro Unit (2003)
- American Society of Hematology
- American Society of Oncology
- Chi Eta Phi Sorority Humanitarian Award, San Antonio Chapter
- KLRN Women’s Health Award (2000)
- San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee (2004)
- Texas Monthly “Texas Super Doctor” (2010 – 2020)
Research Interest
Dr. Wilks' research interest is predominantly related to the early phase discovery of drug development in all malignancies, including breast cancer, as well as phase I and phase II clinical trials. Throughout her career, Dr. Wilks has played a key role in studies with the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), the SWOG Cancer Research Network (formerly the Southwest Oncology Group), and The US Oncology Network clinical trials.
Medical Practice
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX (2012 – 2013)
- Director of Research, Cancer Care Centers of South Texas (2007 – 2018)
- Breast Cancer Committee Member, The US Oncology Network (2007 – present)
- Speaker for Genentech BioOncology (2008 – 2016)
- Speaker for Genomic Health (2008 – 2012)
- Speaker for Abraxis (2009 – 2012)
- Speaker for Eisai (2011 – 2013)
- Speaker for Novartis (2012 – 2013)
- Marketing Committee Director, Cancer Care Centers of South Texas (2013 – 2017)
- Member of the Breast Center Program Leadership Committee (2012 – present)
- Education Committee Chairperson, Baptist Breast Center (2013 – 2014)
- Associate Chair for the Breast Cancer Research Committee US Oncology (2016 – present)
Community Service
- Coordinator of two annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day programs at Lackland AFB (1996 – 1997)
- Regular speaker for the American Cancer Society
- Advisory Board member of the local chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation (1998)
- Active speaker in the community for current issues in breast cancer prevention, detection, and treatment
- Board of Directors Member, Texas WINGS
- Coordinated efforts with Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation, San Antonio Chapter of Susan G. Komen Foundation, and local chapter of the American Cancer Society
- Coordinated efforts of American Breast Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, and Susan G. Komen local San Antonio Chapter
- Chairperson, the Collaborative Breast Cancer Group (2004)
- Advisory Board Member, Slam Dunk for Life (2006 – 2008)
Other Information
In her free time, Dr. Wilks enjoys spending time with her children and husband, and loves to travel, exercise, and read.
Why a patient should choose treatment at your practice?
Individuals who present to our local oncology facility will get state-of-the-art application of treatment and support that are mandated/recommended by national guidelines. This type of care is ensured by having established pathways in place that follow federal and governmental guidelines in established measures for cancer care. Individuals who seek care at our facility will get treatment closer to home that is comparable to treatment at centers of excellence including clinical research opportunities, laboratory analysis and genomic molecular testing as well as radiation and imaging services. Patient's enjoy high level of cancer care with the personal touch delivered in their own neighborhood.
Why did you become a doctor?
I chose medicine because I had been affected by my mothers’ struggle to become a healthcare professional. I also watched my mom deal with numerous medical problems before her early death at age 52. I grew up at a time where it was always understood that you should use your skills and knowledge to help others in need and it appeared that medicine would provide this for me. Seeking a career in the field of oncology provided a deeper and special opportunity for me to serve and provide help to those in need when they are at the most vulnerable state.
It is rewarding when you see someone who is initially diagnosed with cancer who may be very symptomatic who with life-saving treatments, experience recovery and restoration of their health. The best gift ever for me is when I see an individual survive a life threating cancer and then live and have the opportunity to experience milestones in their own lives and in the children and grandchildren and great grandchildren's lives.
What is your personal philosophy around patient care?
My chief philosophy for who those who seek cancer care is for them to receive state-of-the-art treatment with support that is genuine, and heart felt. Certainly, one can apply new applications and discoveries for treatment but I think it goes to a deeper level and is much more impactful if a person receives that high standard of care from someone who really truly cares and has a heartfelt interest in their patients outcome and survival.
Publications
Show all Publications
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Longitudinal ctDNA Changes in Longterm Responders to Palbociclib (CDK4/6 Inhibitor) Combination Therapy for Advanced Breast Cancer: Biomarker Analysis From the Polaris Study - Poster Presentation
American Association for Cancer Research, 2020
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Trilaciclib Plus Chemotherapy Versus Chemotherapy Alone in Patients With Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A Multi-Centre, Randomised, Open-Label, Phase 2
The Lancet, 2019
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Trilaciclib Plus Chemotherapy Versus Chemotherapy Alone in Patients With Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Multicentre, Randomised, Open-Label, Phase 2 Trial
The Lancet. Oncology, 2019
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Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Receiving First-Line Eribulin Mesylate With or Without Trastuzumab for Locally Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer
BMC Cancer, 2019
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Evaluation of Miracle Mouthwash Plus Hydrocortisone Versus Prednisolone Mouth Rinses As Prophylaxis for Everolimus-Associated Stomatitis: A Randomized Phase II Study
The Oncologist, 2019
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Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Carboplatin or Gemcitabine Versus Gemcitabine Plus Carboplatin As First-Line Treatment of Patients With Triple-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer: Results From the tnAcity Trial
Annals of Oncology: Official Journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology, 2018
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Ixabepilone and Carboplatin for Hormone Receptor Positive/HER2-Neu Negative and Triple Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
Clinical Breast Cancer, 2018
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Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Carboplatin or Gemcitabine Versus Gemcitabine Plus Carboplatin As First-Line Treatment of Patients With Triple-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer: Results From the tnAcity Trial
Annals of Oncology, 2018
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Abstract PD1-01: Trilaciclib (T), a CDK4/6 Inhibitor, Dosed With Gemcitabine (G), Carboplatin (C) in Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer (mTNBC) Patients: Preliminary Phase 2 Results
Cancer Research, 2018
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APF530 (Granisetron Inj Extended-Release) in a Three-Drug Regimen for Delayed CINV in Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy
Future Oncology, 2016
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Molecular Alterations and Everolimus Efficacy in HER2-Overexpressing Metastatic Breast Cancers: Combined Exploratory Analysis from BOLERO-1 and BOLERO-3
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2015
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Phase I Study of GR Antagonist Mifepristone (M) in Combination With Eribulin (E)in Advanced Solid Tumors, With Dose Expansion in Patients (Pts)with GR-Positive Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, 2015
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Case Studies in the Management of Metastatic Breast Cancer with Eribulin
Clinical Medicine Insights: Oncology, 2015
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Impact of Prior Anthracycline or Taxane on Eribulin Effectiveness as First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer: Results from Two Phase 2, Multicenter, Single-arm Studies
Springer Plus Open Journal Volume 4, 2015
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Phase 3 Comparison of APF530 Versus Ondansetron, Each in a Guideline-Recommended 3-Drug Regimen for Prevention of Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting Due to Anthracycline+ Cyclophosphamide (AC) Based Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy (HEC) Regime
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, 2015
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Potential of Overcoming Resistance to HER2-Targeted Therapies Through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
The Breast, 2015
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Weekly Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine (Gem) or Carboplatin (Carbo) Versus Gem/Carbo As First Line Treatment for Metastatic Triple Negative (mTNBC) in a Phase II/III Trial (TnAcity)
American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2015
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Predictive Biomarkers of Everolimus efficacy in HER2+ Advanced Breast Cancer: Combined Exploratory Analysis from BOLERO-1 and BOLERO-3
American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2015
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Everolimus for Women with Trastuzumab Resistant, HER2 Positive, Advanced Breast Cancer (BOLERO-3): A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Phase III Trial
The Lancet Oncology, 2014
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Phase 2, Multicenter, Single-Arm Study of Eribulin Mesylate + Trastuzumab as First Line Therapy for Locally Recurrent or Metastatic HER2 Positive Breast Cancer
Clinical Breast Cancer, 2014
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Phase 2, Multicenter, Single-Arm Study of Eribulin Mesylate + Trastuzumab as First Line Therapy for Locally Recurrent or Metastatic HER2 Positive Breast Cancer
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, 2013
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Eribulin Mesylate with Trastuzumab as First-Line Therapy for Locally Recurrent or Metastatic Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Two (HER2)-Positive Breast Cancer: Preliminary Results from a Phase 2, Multicenter, Single-Arm Study
35th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, 2012
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The Experience of the DOD Allogeneic Transplant Service at Wilford Hall Medical Center
Society of Air Force Physicians Annual Meeting, 1996
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