(November 13, 2019) A study recently published in Nature Communications and led by OCRA grantee Dr. Rugang Zhang showed that the ARID1A protein plays a fundamental role in ensuring correct chromosome segregation when the cells divide. Specifically, ARID1A controls expression of another protein called STAG1 that is required to keep chromosome ends together. When ARID1A … Continued
(November 6, 2019) A recent research review conducted by a team at the University of Colorado Anschutz, and published this month by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, found that use of an intrauterine device (IUD) was associated with a lower risk of ovarian cancer. Through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, researchers found … Continued
In an effort to further understand disease initiation and progression, OCRA grantee Dr. Sumegha Mitra, along with colleagues at Indiana University, conducted research which revealed key changes in gene expression occurring during the initiation and early metastasis of ovarian cancer. Dr. Mitra and colleagues identified targets and pathways which can be explored in the future … Continued
(October 7, 2019) Published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, a group of investigators led by OCRA Scientific Advisory Committee member Dr. Robert Coleman found an innovative combination therapy to significantly increase progression-free survival (PFS). In this phase III clinical trial, patients with previously untreated advanced-stage ovarian cancer received veliparib administered simultaneously with … Continued
(September 19, 2019) While harnessing the immune system has resulted in strong responses for a subset of cancer patients, the majority of patients have remained unresponsive to this approach. In order to enable ovarian cancer patients to benefit from immunotherapy, Dr. Michael Goldberg’s research sought to understand how standard-of-care chemotherapy influences immune cells around the … Continued
(September 10, 2019) Ovarian clear-cell carcinoma is an aggressive form of ovarian cancer. Endometriosis is derived from the uterine endometrium and is a known risk factor for ovarian clear-cell carcinoma. Evidence supports ovarian clear-cell origins in the uterine endometrium. It has been known for years that co-occurring cellular mutations are observed in ovarian clear-cell carcinoma, … Continued
(September 5, 2019) OCRA funded investigator Dmitriy Zamarin, MD, PhD contributed to a study that provides an intriguing hypothesis that mutation in genes like SMARCA4 may improve tumor recognition by the immune system. The body’s immune system plays a major role in controlling tumor growth. Specialized immune cells called T-cells identify cancer cells as “foreign” … Continued
(August 22, 2019) This week, The US Preventive Services Task Force published new recommendations on risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing for BRCA mutations and BRCA-related cancers. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) makes recommendations about the effectiveness of specific preventive care services for patients without obvious related signs or symptoms. It bases … Continued
(August 20, 2019) A new direction for research in ovarian cancer was brought to light last month thanks to a study published in Lancet Oncology. Researchers led by Dr. Nuno R. Nené of the University College London are investigating the role of microbiota in an individual’s risk of developing cancer. “The application of vaginal suppositories … Continued
(July 26, 2019) OCRA grantee Michael Yaffe, MD, PhD, led a study published earlier this month in Cell Systems which found success targeting cancer cells by combining two existing classes of drugs. Dr. Yaffe and colleagues found that this combination, which targets the cancer cells’ ability to divide, dramatically increases the drug’s capacity to kill … Continued
Couldn’t make it to our National Conference? Watch our expert presentations LIVE! For the first time, we live streamed all general sessions, so you can watch as our expert speakers present the latest ovarian cancer updates, from wherever you are. These broadcasts will remain available for viewing for a limited period of time following the original … Continued
(June 18, 2019) Results of new trials, funded in part by OCRA though the Ovarian Cancer Dream Team and published in JAMA Oncology, show that combination niraparib plus pembrolizumab therapy showed promising antitumor activity in patients with ovarian cancer. Patients with recurrent ovarian carcinoma frequently develop resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy, at which time treatment options … Continued
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