Erinn Rankin, PhD
Stanford University
2016 Pape Family Pilot Study Award
Targeting the hypoxic secretome in omental metastasis
Mesothelial cells line the abdominal cavity and play an important role in ovarian cancer metastasis. These mesothelial cells in the presence of ovarian cancer tumors are deprived of oxygen (hypoxic) and, as a result, produce components of the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) signaling pathway that allow them to “talk” to ovarian cancer tumor cells and promote metastasis. By targeting mesothelial cells in the treatment of ovarian cancer, Dr. Rankin hopes to interrupt the signals that promote metastasis and limit the spread of ovarian cancer cells throughout the patient’s body.