News

Press Release: New Report Offers Patient Perspectives on Ov...

Press Release: New Report Offers Patient Perspectives on Ovarian Cancer Treatment, Diagnosis

September 11, 2013

Washington, DC—A new report released by the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance summarizes the experiences of 1,014 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Based on a survey conducted by the Alliance in partnership with Inspire, the report details how women were diagnosed and whether their treatment followed national guidelines for ovarian cancer. The survey was inspired by … Continued

Research

Q&A with Maria Barbolina, Ph.D.

Q&A with Maria Barbolina, Ph.D.

September 11, 2013

Dr. Maria Barbolina is a 2013 Liz Tilberis Early Career Award grant recipient. In this interview with OCRF’s Sarah DeFeo, Dr. Barolina discusses her research and what it means to receive a grant from OCRF. Sarah DeFeo:  Tell us a little about yourself. Maria Barbolina:  I live in Chicago now, but my life started on the … Continued

Community

Ovarian Tissue Transplant followed by Successful IVF Create...

Ovarian Tissue Transplant followed by Successful IVF Creates Future Fertility Hope for Ovarian Cancer Survivors

September 10, 2013

An ovarian cancer survivor in Australia, Vali, is 26-weeks pregnant after being told she was infertile due to ovarian cancer treatments. “The sample of Vali’s ovarian tissue was taken from her cancer-free ovary through keyhole surgery and frozen. Seven years later, the tissue was grafted onto the left and right sides of the front wall … Continued

Research

OCRF Researchers Find Some Immune Cells Aid Cancer Growth

OCRF Researchers Find Some Immune Cells Aid Cancer Growth

September 9, 2013

A new OCRF-funded study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that a subset of immune cells, called myeloid derived suppressor cells, do more harm than good by providing a niche where the cancer stem cells survive.  The research is published in the journal Immunity. Cancer stem cells are thought to be … Continued

Research

President Obama Declares September National Ovarian Cancer ...

President Obama Declares September National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

September 9, 2013

“This month, we extend a hand to all women battling ovarian cancer. We pledge our support to them, to their families, and to the goal of defeating this disease.”-President Barack Obama Read full proclamation here.

Advocacy

Helq Gene Increases Risk of Rare Ovarian Cancer

Helq Gene Increases Risk of Rare Ovarian Cancer

September 6, 2013

Researchers in the UK have identified a gene in mice that, if faulty, may increase the chance of developing a rare type of ovarian cancer.  The findings were published in the journal Nature. The gene, known as Helq, helps repair damage to DNA that happens when it is copied as cells multiply. If the gene is missing or … Continued

Research

New Index May Help to Determine Recurrence Risk

New Index May Help to Determine Recurrence Risk

September 3, 2013

An index created at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, based on protein biomarkers was able to discriminate between women at high risk and low risk for ovarian cancer recurrence, in a recent analysis. Such information can be used to help improve the treatment and, eventually, the prognosis of patients with ovarian … Continued

Research

Oncofertility Offers New Options for Young Women with Cancer

Oncofertility Offers New Options for Young Women with Cancer

August 30, 2013

The Washington Post explores new options for young women going through cancer treatment who want to know about their options for having children after treatment.  The article looks at emerging methods and ways to approach the conversation with your doctor.  Read the article here.

Research

Promising New Approach for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer

Promising New Approach for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer

August 27, 2013

Building on previously presented work, researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston have published new findings that show that evaluating the change of CA-125 over time shows promise as a screening tool for early-stage ovarian cancer. OCRF grantees Karen Lu, MD and Robert Bast, MD were first and senior author on the paper, which … Continued

Research

Partner Member Profile: Small Cell Ovarian Cancer Foundation

Partner Member Profile: Small Cell Ovarian Cancer Foundation

August 26, 2013

The Petersen family was inspired to educate the world about small cell ovarian cancer while their daughter and sister Stephanie was undergoing treatment for the disease. “The first thing they said to us was, ‘Don’t look on the internet—you won’t find anything about small cell ovarian cancer,’ ” recalls Maren Petersen. Discouraged by the lack … Continued

Community

OCRF Researchers Review Preclinical Models Used in Ovarian ...

OCRF Researchers Review Preclinical Models Used in Ovarian Cancer Research

August 19, 2013

In a review article published online in Oncogene on August 12, OCRF-funded researchers provide a comprehensive review of pre-clinical models used in ovarian cancer research.  The authors, including OCRF grantees Ernst Lengyel, Daniela Matei, Ken Nephew, and Joanna Burdette, explore current experimental models and reflect on the strengths and weaknesses for each method.  In addition, … Continued

OCRA News

Dogs Smell Ovarian Cancer Tissue

Dogs Smell Ovarian Cancer Tissue

August 16, 2013

Two dogs at the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Vet Working Dog Center are learning how to smell tissue that is in early stages of ovarian cancer.  The dogs have been able to smell the cancerous tissue 100% of the time.  The dogs are part of an interdisciplinary research project to help scientists discover a chemical … Continued

Research