Overview
Dr. Cooney is Chair of the Duke Department of Medicine.
She is a medical oncologist focused in caring for men with prostate cancer, and is internationally known for her investigations focused on the genetic epidemiology of prostate cancer.
Her research led to the important discovery of a recurrent mutation in the HOXB13 gene that increases the chances of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and is estimated to account for 5 percent of hereditary prostate cancer cases worldwide. Since men with HOXB13 mutations are at an increased risk of prostate cancer, they may benefit from participation in screening and potentially prevention protocols in the future.
Dr. Cooney’s research continues with a focus on identifying germline mutations associated with lethal and aggressive prostate cancer as well as prostate cancer in African American men.
She is a medical oncologist focused in caring for men with prostate cancer, and is internationally known for her investigations focused on the genetic epidemiology of prostate cancer.
Her research led to the important discovery of a recurrent mutation in the HOXB13 gene that increases the chances of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and is estimated to account for 5 percent of hereditary prostate cancer cases worldwide. Since men with HOXB13 mutations are at an increased risk of prostate cancer, they may benefit from participation in screening and potentially prevention protocols in the future.
Dr. Cooney’s research continues with a focus on identifying germline mutations associated with lethal and aggressive prostate cancer as well as prostate cancer in African American men.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
George Barth Geller Distinguished Professor of Medicine
·
2020 - Present
Medicine, Medical Oncology,
Medicine
Professor of Medicine
·
2018 - Present
Medicine, Medical Oncology,
Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
·
2018 - Present
Medicine,
Clinical Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2018 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Member of Duke Molecular Physiology Institute
·
2022 - Present
Duke Molecular Physiology Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
AAIM recommendations for post-core clerkship clinical rotations to prepare for residency in internal medicine.
Journal Article Am J Med · January 2026 Full text Link to item CiteEstablished Cancer Predisposition Genes in Single and Multiple Cancer Diagnoses.
Journal Article JAMA Oncol · October 1, 2025 IMPORTANCE: Much of the understanding of cancer risk associated with rare pathogenic variants (RPVs) is derived from family-based studies or clinically ascertained samples, which may be limited by ascertainment and selection bias. OBJECTIVE: To quantify as ... Full text Open Access Link to item CiteAssociation of HOXB13 G84E With Prostate Cancer Among 592,158 Men.
Journal Article J Natl Compr Canc Netw · September 15, 2025 BACKGROUND: The HOXB13 c.G251G>A:p.G84E (rs138213197) variant is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer (PrCa); however, its link to aggressive PrCa remains controversial. Limited data from large, population-based cohorts are available to inf ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Genetic Variation in Cancer Risk and Outcomes in African Americans
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Wayne State University · 2024 - 2029Characterizing the Genetic Landscape of Prostate Cancer in Young African American Men - HDRA
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Department of Defense · 2016 - 2022The Contribution of Rare Variants in Familial Clustering of Prostate and Breast Cancer in African Americans
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Wayne State University · 2018 - 2020View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine ·
1984
M.D.