Scared. Overwhelmed. Exhausted. Befuddled. These are common words one might use to describe how we feel during this unprecedented time in history. But Dmitriy Zamarin, MD, PhD, adds “fascinated” to the list as he ponders the psychological and sociological implications of the Covid-19 pandemic. “This small amount of genetic material that has spread through the … Continued
(May 4, 2020) On April 29th, the Food and Drug Administration approved niraparib (Zejula, GlaxoSmithKline) as a first-line maintenance treatment for advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, regardless of BRCA mutation status. Niraparib was first approved by the FDA for treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer in 2017. This most recent approval means … Continued
(April 17, 2020) The Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer brings together women’s healthcare professionals from across the globe to discuss the latest findings in gynecologic oncology. This year, the conference is being held virtually, through a series of high-level webinars that are free and open to the public. Click through to register … Continued
(April 15) The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has become nearly all consuming. It’s impossible to turn on the news, browse social media, or walk outside without being reminded of the new, albeit temporary, state of the world. In an effort to control, slow, and hopefully stop the spread of COVID-19, drastic public health measures have been … Continued
There are many adjectives one can use to describe ovarian cancer: relentless, cruel, a monster. But Dr. Sunila Pradeep also finds it ironic. “Women spend a lot of time and energy for the next generation. They are playing a major role in continuing life on earth. And then when many of them have fulfilled those … Continued
(April 9, 2020) Why do some gynecologic cancer patients participate in clinical trials, while others do not? Clinical trials are fundamental to the discovery of new and better therapies in the fight against ovarian cancer. Understanding and addressing why patients do or not enroll in trials could help remove unnecessary barriers and involve more patients, … Continued
(April 7, 2020) In a study published last week in the oncology Journal of the American Medical Association, breastfeeding was found to be a factor for reduced risk of developing invasive ovarian cancer. Researchers collected information on close to 10,000 women with ovarian cancer, and found that breastfeeding was associated with a “24% lower risk … Continued
Cockroaches after a nuclear war. That is really the best way to understand what Dr. Ugo Cavallaro, a cell biologist and biochemist, is working on in his lab in Milan, Italy. He is trying to understand why an ovarian cancer tumor, which is successfully removed along with surrounding tissue, can manifest itself again. “This happens … Continued
(3/17/2020) Research out of the University of Bristol looked at genes and how they inhibit an enzyme involved in regulating the body’s cholesterol. This enzyme is the target of statin drugs, which are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels. The study involved 63,347 women between 20 and 100 years old, of whom 22,406 had ovarian cancer. … Continued
She has swum in the Amazon, gone ice fishing in the Arctic, traveled the Galapagos, and hang-glided in New Zealand. But the biggest trail Dr. Beth Karlan has blazed throughout her life has been in the field of gynecologic oncology. Dr. Karlan is Professor and Vice Chair of Women’s Health Research in the Department of … Continued
Dr. Ron Buckanovich, an OCRA grantee, uses a metaphor to describe his work. “If I’m trying to get into Chicago and the highways that get me into the city are blocked off, no matter how important my job is, I’m not going to get there.” He’s talking about immunotherapy and the fact that the cells … Continued
What do the fur patterns of tigers have to do with advances in ovarian cancer treatment? Juan Cubillos-Ruiz, PhD, an OCRA grantee, grew up on a farm near Bogota, Colombia. He spent his younger years looking at the world around him, questioning everything. Why was corn white, yellow or purple? Why did foods vary in … Continued
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