Researchers at the University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute found that an ovarian cancer diagnosis took a much higher mental toll on patients and survivors than initially expected at the start of the study, thus underscoring the critical need for programs that provide psychological and emotional support for people living with this disease. “Mental health … Continued
OCRA grantees Dr. Rugang Zhang and Dr. Shuai Wu, both of The Wistar Institute, along with colleagues, have discovered a vulnerability in cancer cells that harbor certain genetic mutations. Their findings, which involve the ARID1A gene, point to potential new pathways of treatment for patients living with ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). What is an ARID1A mutation? ARID1A … Continued
Each year, OCRA honors individuals doing important and notable work in the ovarian cancer field with a research prize to help propel their future discoveries. Individuals are selected by members of OCRA’s Scientific Advisory Committee. Dr. Sarah Adams Awarded Liz Tilberis Research Prize for Outstanding Early Career Investigators The Liz Tilberis Research Prize is awarded … Continued
Imagine, if you will, a scene from yesteryear: rows of telephone operators sitting in front of giant switchboards, lights blinking on and off in seemingly random patterns, hands working quickly to plug and unplug wires in order to foster connections. If you can picture that, you can begin to get a sense of the impact … Continued
Dr. Xueyang Yu, of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a 2021 recipient of OCRA’s Ann and Sol Mentored Investigator Award. Her project, “Macrophage Control of the Microenvironment Drives HGSOC Progression,” explores how tumor microenvironments influence disease progression for high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, the most common type of ovarian cancer. What initially sparked your interest in … Continued
We have great hope for the year ahead, and much of that is buoyed by what we accomplished, with your help, in 2020. A quick look back at the numbers… Thank you for everything you have done to make this happen. We hope you enjoy reading about what lies ahead. RESEARCH ADVOCACY PATIENT SUPPORT & … Continued
Dr. Dineo Khabele, Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and member of OCRA’s Scientific Advisory Committee, spoke at our 2020 Ovarian Cancer National Conference about the racial disparities in ovarian cancer incidences and outcomes. While there are more documented cases of ovarian … Continued
Despite the challenges of fundraising during a global pandemic, your generous support allowed us to fund 16 top scientists at 14 esteemed medical centers across the globe. They will investigate important issues across the ovarian cancer landscape in this coming year. These grants enable the brightest minds in cancer research to tackle long-standing issues like … Continued
OCRA-funded researcher Anil K. Sood, M.D., lead and senior author, and Sanghoon Lee, Ph.D., first author, both at MD Anderson Cancer Center, along with colleagues, identified potential biomarkers in subgroups of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC). Biomarkers are unique biological indicators of an event, or the presence of a substance in the body. Biomarkers are useful … Continued
The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States has many feeling hopeful about the possibility of gaining some protection against the virus. But as with any new medical advancement, it is not uncommon for people to have questions about its safety and efficacy. And for those who are living with ovarian cancer, there are … Continued
A recent study, published in Cancer Research and reported in The New York Times, suggests that risk-reduction associated with oral contraceptive use can last a lifetime. The link between lower ovarian and endometrial cancer risk and oral contraceptive use has long been established; however, it was unclear how long after taking oral contraceptives a woman … Continued
It’s hard to believe 2020 is almost over, and what a year it’s been. Despite the challenges wrought by the pandemic, we’re grateful to report that thanks to your support, OCRA grantees made great strides in ovarian cancer discoveries, bringing us ever closer to improving care and defeating this devastating disease: Revealed two cells of origin for high-grade serous ovarian cancer — … Continued
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