Research to help fast-track new treatment for low-grade serous ovarian cancer
Seattle, WA – The Rivkin Center has awarded Dr. Utthara Nayar, PhD, associate professor at the
Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Health, a $75,000 grant to help her fast-track clinical
testing of a new treatment for ovarian cancer. Rivkin Center Pilot Study Awards fund novel, innovative
ideas that are in the early stages of discovery.
Dr. Nayar is studying a new treatment for low-grade serous ovarian cancers (LGSOCs). Some
LGSOCs develop mutations in the estrogen receptor (ER) molecule and stop responding to standard
therapies. In breast cancer, tumors with ER mutations respond to a new class of anti-estrogen therapy
called SERDs. Dr. Nayar will determine whether ER-mutated ovarian tumors respond to treatment with
SERDs. Her findings can move rapidly to the clinic to begin clinical trials of novel SERDs in ovarian
cancer.
“For 25 years, the Rivkin Center’s early funding has helped launch the best new research and the most
promising new researchers throughout the world. This year, Dr. Nayar’s research project rose to the top
of our applications,” said Rivkin Center CEO Molly O’Connor. “We are optimistic that Dr. Nayar’s
research could revolutionize the treatment landscape for patients with low-grade serous ovarian
cancers.”
Ovarian cancer remains the deadliest gynecological cancer because there is still no test to detect it in
its earliest, most treatable and most survivable stages. While treatment options have improved, a late
diagnosis means that fewer than half of the women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will survive beyond
five years.
This year, the Rivkin Center also awarded a Pilot Study grant to Dr. Zachary Watson, PhD, of
University of Colorado School of Medicine, and two $200,000 grants to ovarian cancer researchers
based in Washington state as part of a new public-private partnership with the state’s Andy Hill Cancer
Research Endowment (CARE) Fund to invest $1M in ovarian cancer research in the next two years.
Since 1999, the Rivkin Center has invested $16.4M in ovarian cancer research worldwide. At an
average return of $17.3 for every dollar the Rivkin Center invests, these initial funds have helped
researchers secure another nearly $280M in funding to continue their work.