(June 19, 2015) In a recent study, funded in part by OCRF grants to Dr. Simon Gayther and Dr. Andrew Berchuck, researchers have made important breakthroughs toward understanding the risk and growth of a certain kind of ovarian cancer, known as mucinous ovarian carcinoma, or MOC. The international study involving 1,644 women with MOC and 21,000 without cancer has helped them to make strides in determining one’s likelihood of developing MOC. One key discovery was the gene known as HOXD9, and its influence on the evolution of MOC. Additionally, they linked three genetic variations to not only MOC but also to colorectal cancer as well.
Learning about its development and growth will hopefully lead to better prevention and early detection methods. Ovarian cancer still has a low survival rate in most part because it is so hard to diagnose. Dr. Kate Lawrenson, co-first author of the study and recent OCRF grantee, is optimistic about the future though. “Our results shed light on differences in genetic risk factors for the different ovarian cancers such as MOCs. I’m hanging my hopes on prevention,” states Dr. Lawrenson.
To read more about the study from the University of Southern California, a contributor to the study, click here.
To read an article from Medical News Today, click here.
OCRF grants to Drs. Gayther and Berchuck were made possible thanks to the generous support of the Smith Family, in memory of Katherine Sladek Smith.
