Elizabeth Swisher, MDUniversity of WashingtonSeattle, WA Optimizing genetic testing uptake and outcomes for hereditary ovarian cancer risk As genetic testing for cancer risk becomes increasingly accessible, the goal of eradicating hereditary ovarian cancer through comprehensive genetic testing and effective prevention is tantalizingly close. However, several large studies have revealed that a large minority of people […]
Read More
Holly R. Harris, MPH, ScDFred Hutchinson Cancer CenterSeattle, WA Identification of ovarian cancer risk factors among women with endometriosis Although we know endometriosis increases ovarian cancer risk, we do not know how to identify which individuals with endometriosis will develop ovarian cancer. Dr. Harris will run the first large-scale analysis of women with endometriosis to […]
Read More
Barbara Norquist, MDUniversity of Washington2013 Skacel Family Scholar Genes Contributing to Hereditary Ovarian Cancer in BRCA1/2 Wildtype Families Nearly a quarter of ovarian cancer cases may be caused by inherited mutations, with a significant portion caused by mutations in genes other than BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2). Next generation sequencing techniques have made it possible to […]
Read More
Melissa Merritt, PhDUniversity of Hawaii Cancer Center Obesity-related factors and ovarian cancer survival Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have a poor prognosis, and there are currently no recommendations for lifestyle modifications that may influence survival after a diagnosis. Dr. Merritt will evaluate whether obesity-related factors, including Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, physical activity, and […]
Read More
Alice Wen-Ron Lee, Ph.D.California State University FullertonFullerton, CA, United States Project: Exploring the impact of infertility and its treatments on risk of ovarian cancer Research Area: Prevention, Cancer Biology Summary:Some studies have previously indicated that there may be a relationship between infertility and ovarian cancer risk, but this connection is very poorly understood. Infertility is a significant […]
Read More
Rosana Risques, PhDUniversity of Washington 2017 Pape Family Pilot Study Award Characterization of TP53 mutations in BRCA carcinogenesis Women with inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a greatly increased risk of developing high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). This type of cancer starts as a lesion in the fallopian tube, and these lesions almost always contain cells […]
Read More
Susan J Ramus, PhDThe University of New South Wales Genetic susceptibility to non-high grade serous ovarian cancer Ovarian cancer consists of five distinct types of cancers that have different clinical characteristics, patient outcomes, and even begin in different nearby organs. They have different changes in the DNA of the tumor cells which affect the biology […]
Read More
Hui Zong, PhDUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, United States 2019 Pilot Study Award Research in Focus: Prevention of ovarian cancer Efficacy testing for ovarian cancer prevention at pre-malignant stages with a novel mouse model Prevention remains the ultimate goal for successful management of cancer. Identifying cancer prevention strategies is challenging due to the large population required to […]
Read More
André Lieber, MD, PhDUniversity of Washington2016 Lester and Bernice Smith Challenge Award Grant Immuno-Prophylaxis of Ovarian Cancer Associated with High-Risk Germ Line Mutations Dr. Lieber’s project proposes a prophylactic gene therapy approach to introduce genes encoding antibodies into hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow. Ovarian cancer cells normally produce signals that inhibit immune cells […]
Read More