An interdisciplinary group of researchers from around the country analyzed tumor samples from nearly 10,000 patients with 34 types of cancer to reveal unique genetic switches associated with each tumor type. The research, published in Science Advances and supported by multiple OCRA grants, turned up three potential drug targets for aggressive ovarian cancer, among other findings. Scientists … Continued
The following is a press release from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Magee-Womens Research Institute PITTSBURGH, Nov. 12, 2021 – Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a type of cancer treatment that help the immune system’s T cells recognize and attack tumors. But these immunotherapy drugs aren’t effective against all cancers. In … Continued
OCRA grantee Dr. Sumegha Mitra of Indiana University and colleagues have identified the mechanism by which a specific deubiquitinating enzyme known as UCHL1 promotes the growth of high-grade serous ovarian cancer in some patients. This discovery may aid in the development of future ovarian cancer therapies, as it points to the potential effectiveness of a targeted inhibitor … Continued
Researchers at UT Southwestern have discovered a potential “Achilles’ heel” in ovarian cancer cells, and a new biomarker that may open up more avenues for targeted therapies. The study, published in the journal Cell, was led by W. Lee Kraus, PhD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pharmacology at UT Southwestern. Sridevi Challa, PhD, a … Continued
A long-running study from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, published in Nature Cancer and co-funded by OCRA, has discovered that the antibiotic novobiocin is capable of targeting and killing tumor cells in laboratory cell lines and tumor models with BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations–and is effective even in tumors that have become resistant to PARP inhibitors. BRCA1 … Continued
New research from The Wistar Institute and Peter MacCallum Cancer Center has uncovered a previously unknown checkpoint mechanism for gene expression, that may open up new avenues for transcription-based targeted cancer therapies in the future. This exciting study, published in the cancer journal Cell, was made possible in part by an OCRA research grant to … 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
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
An international collaborative of scientists, including Dr. Ronald Chandler at Michigan State University, studied ARID1A mutations, which are specific gene mutations observed in deep ovarian and deep infiltrating endometriosis. The authors of the study noted that seeing a high frequency of these mutations in deep ovarian endometriosis supports evidence linking this to endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer. … Continued
In order to understand the complexities of how gene mutations affect an ovarian cancer diagnosis, OCRA-funded researcher Alexander Nikitin, MD, PhD and colleagues looked to see which ones drive, or possibly delay, the onset of the disease. “We found there were various genes that would help the process along, but interestingly, there were other genes … Continued
(July 27, 2020) Research from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (OCAC) found that “using menopausal hormone therapy prior to diagnosis extends ovarian cancer survival.” This was found through a comprehensive analysis involving 6,419 post-menopausal women with ovarian carcinoma. Study authors concluded, “This large study is consistent with prior smaller studies, and further work is needed … Continued
(January 13, 2020) Thanks to your support, 22 top scientists at 19 eminent medical centers across the world will delve into important topics across the ovarian cancer landscape. In 2020, along with our other ongoing grants and programs, OCRA is investing nearly $9 million in the fight against ovarian cancer. These grants, awarded internationally for … Continued
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