2015 Mentored Investigator Grant Recipient — Justyna Filant, PhD
Project Summary
Serous ovarian cancer remains the leading cause of death among gynecologic malignancies. This is due to high rates of disease recurrence (>70%) after the standard therapy, highlighting the crucial need to develop better therapeutic strategies. Secreted nucleic acids as microRNAs (miRNAs) represent a newly discovered mechanism by which donor cells can influence the function of recipient cell. However, mechanisms regulating miRNA release and the specific role of secreted miRNAs in cancer remain unclear. Dr. Filant aims to identify extracellular miRNAs and use gene silencing molecules, called small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, to intervene with miRNA release from ovarian malignant cells. Results of this work will help to develop a novel strategy using miRNA and siRNA to maximize therapeutic benefit in ovarian cancer.