Yasuto Kinose, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA, United States
2018 SKACEL FAMILY SCHOLAR
Project: Evaluation of a novel combination therapy in clear cell ovarian cancer orthotopic patient-derived xenograft models
Research Area: Novel Therapy, Cancer Biology
Summary:
While clear cell ovarian cancer is a relatively rare subtype of ovarian cancer, it is also the most difficult to treat in advanced stages or when the cancer comes back. It’s been difficult to understand the biology of clear cell ovarian cancer and develop new treatment approaches because there are not enough model systems to study the disease. Dr. Kinose’s work addresses this vital need to identify more effective treatments for this type of ovarian cancer. Clear cell ovarian cancers demonstrate unique genetic mutations that effect the ability of cells to repair their DNA and other functions which are essential for cancer cell survival. Dr. Kinose and his colleagues have discovered a promising new combination using drugs known as WEE1 inhibitors and BET inhibitors that kill these cancer cells when used together. In this project, Dr. Kinose will develop this exciting new combination further by understanding how it works and confirm the findings in novel clear cell ovarian cancer mouse models developed from patient tumors. In these mouse models, pieces of tumors taken from patients can be implanted and grown prior to testing new therapies. The findings from this project may identify a new treatment for this aggressive type of ovarian cancer.