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Northwest Gynecological Cancer Symposium

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The Rivkin Center is proud to present the 2nd biennial Northwest Gynecological Cancer Symposium (NGCS) to be held on Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 from 8:00am to 6:30pm at Orin Smith Auditorium at the University of Washington, South Lake Union Campus in Seattle, Washington. NGCS is designed to facilitate communication and foster collaboration between scientists in the Pacific Northwest working on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of gynecological cancers.

Abstracts were submitted on basic science, preclinical, clinical and public health projects on gynecological research, including the following research areas: animal models, biomarkers, cancer stem cells, cell biology, chemoresistance, clinical research, DNA repair & response, early detection, epigenetics, etiology/pathophysiology, genetics, genomics, immunology, molecular mechanisms, novel therapies, prevention, proteomics/metabolomics, survivorship, tumor microenvironment, and other topics relevant to gynecological cancer research.
Abstract submission is now closed.

Keynote Address

Defining the trajectory of ovarian cancer from early tubal precursors

Ronny Drapkin, MD/PhD
Franklin Payne Associate Professor of Pathology in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

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NGCS Flyer

Download the NGCS flyer to share with colleagues or post on message boards.

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Prior Symposia

Check out the 2017 NGCS program and event details.

Learn More

Free Registration

The symposium is open to all. The FREE registration is required to partake in catered lunch and reception. Online registration closes on September 18th. Registration is limited to 120 participants. Limited day of registration will be available on a first come first served basis.

Register Here

Location

NGCS will be held in the Orin Smith Auditorium located in the Administrative Building (see street map and building map) at the University of Washington, South Lake Union at 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109.

Directions

Parking

Parking is available at UW SLU garages. The entrances to both garages is on Republican St. Hourly and daily rates are offered (payment by Visa/MasterCard only). Parking for 4 or more hours costs $21. For UW employees, parking in the SLU garages is free if you have a UW parking pass. Garage parking is free to all after 3:30pm. Please note that you cannot ENTER the garage after 5:30pm, but you can exit at any time.

The garage elevator will take you directly to the reception desk (opens onto the lobby).

NOTE: You will need to have your ticket validated at the reception desk in order to leave the garage (the arm at the exit will not raise without it).

Contact

Jackie Lang, PhD at Jackie.Lang@Swedish.org

Program

8:00am – 8:30am

8:30am – 8:40am

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Opening Remarks by Kiran Dhillon, PhD, Rivkin Center

SESSION I: DETECTION AND PREVENTION

Moderator

Rosana Risques, PhD (2017 Pape Family Pilot Study Award; 2019 Rivkin Bridge Funding Award)

8:40am – 8:55am

Characterization of TP53 mutations in Pap test DNA of women with and without serous ovarian cancer
Rosana Risques, PhD, University of Washington

8:55am – 9:10am

The effect of OCP use on the incidence of pre-cancerous p53 lesions in fallopian tube fimbria
Kendall Greening, MSc, BC Cancer Research Centre

9:10am – 9:25am

Clinical tissue proteomics identifies new mesonephric carcinoma biomarkers
Evan Gibbard, University of British Columbia

9:25am – 9:40am

Ethnic disparity in detection of ovarian malignancy 
Chares Dunton, MD, ASPiRA Labs

9:40am – 10:10am

Coffee Break

SESSION II: CANCER MECHANISMS

Moderator

Bo Yu, MD (2017 Cookie Laughlin Bridge Funding Award)

10:10am – 10:25am

Modelling initiation events of low-grade serous ovarian cancers with organoid cultures and single cell sequencing 
Joyce Zhang, BC Cancer Research Centre

10:25am – 10:40am

Targeted next-generation sequencing identifies mutations in epigenetic regulators in a large cohort of adult-type granulosa cell tumors
Jessica Pilsworth, University of British Columbia

10:40am – 10:55am

Single cell RNA sequencing of normal endometrial organoids reveals prognostic markers in gynecologic tumors
Dawn Cochrane, PhD, BC Cancer Research Centre

10:55am – 11:00am

Keynote Introduction by Mark Carey, MD

11:00am – 12:00pm

Keynote Address
Defining the trajectory of ovarian cancer from early tubal precursors
Ronny Drapkin, MD/PhD, University of Pennsylvania

12:00pm – 1:00pm

Lunch (provided)

12:00pm – 1:00pm

Trainee Lunch with Keynote Speaker

SESSION III: MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES

Moderator

Robyn Andersen (2017 Pilot Study Award)

1:00pm – 1:15pm

Piloting a meditation intervention for ovarian cancer survivors to change Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
Robyn Andersen, PhD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

1:15pm – 1:30pm

Quality improvement assessment of a standardized multidisciplinary approach to prescribing PARP inhibitors
Amy Indorf, PharmD, University of Washington/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

1:30pm – 1:45pm

Improving findability of gynecological biospecimens and associated data through the Cascadia Data Discovery Initiative 
Brenda Kostelecky, PhD, Cascadia Data Alliance at Fred Hutch

1:45pm – 2:10pm

Poster Presentation Lightning Round

2:10pm – 2:40pm

Coffee Break

SESSION IV: THERAPEUTICS

Moderator

Andre Lieber, MD/PhD (2010 Pilot Study Award; 2016 Lester and Bernice Smith Challenge Grant)

2:40pm – 2:55pm

Prophylactic in vivo hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy with an immune checkpoint inhibitor reverses tumor growth in syngeneic mouse tumor models
Andre Lieber, MD/PhD, University of Washington

2:55pm – 3:10pm

Engineering adoptive T cell therapy to co-opt Fas ligand-mediated death signaling in solid tumors
Kristin Anderson, PhD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

3:10pm – 3:25pm

The immune and tumor metabolic ecosystem in human ovarian cancer
Julian Lum, PhD, BC Cancer Research Centre

3:25pm – 3:40pm

Inflammatory response in endometrial carcinoma is associated with tumor phenotype and host exposures in the Nurses’ Health Study
T. Rinda Soong, MD/PhD, University of Washington

3:40pm – 3:45pm

Closing Remarks by Nora Disis, MD

3:45pm – 5:00pm

Poster Session

5:00pm – 6:30pm

RECEPTION

POSTERS

A CLIA certified functional precision medicine assay, the PARIS© test, to predict drug response for ovarian cancer

Carla Grandori, MD/PhD, SEngine Precision Medicine

Single-cell sequencing to investigate the cellular origins of endometrium-derived ovarian carcinomas
Germain C. Ho, BC Cancer Research Centre

CDK4/6 and MEK inhibitor combination in low-grade serous ovarian cancer cell lines
Joshua Hoenisch, University of British Columbia

Potential for vitamin D in the prevention of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA1 mutations
Sonali Joshi, PhD, Oregon Health and Science University

Single cell proteomic analysis of the tumoral heterogeneity in response to PARP inhibitor
Marilyne Labrie, PhD, Oregon Health and Science University

Targeting FANCD2 increases chemosensitivity of ovarian cancer cells
Tanja Pejovic, MD/PhD, Knight Cancer Institute / Oregon Health and Science University

Selective killing of SMARCA4-deficient ovarian cancer by mitochondria respiration inhibitors
Yemin Wang, PhD, BC Cancer Research Centre

Microbiome profiling of fallopian tubes
Bo Yu, MD, University of Washington

Location

NGCS will be held in the Orin Smith Auditorium located in the Administrative Building (see street map and building map) at the University of Washington, South Lake Union at 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109.

Directions

Parking

Parking is available at UW SLU garages. The entrances to both garages is on Republican St. Hourly and daily rates are offered (payment by Visa/MasterCard only). Parking for 4 or more hours costs $21. For UW employees, parking in the SLU garages is free if you have a UW parking pass. Garage parking is free to all after 3:30pm. Please note that you cannot ENTER the garage after 5:30pm, but you can exit at any time.

The garage elevator will take you directly to the reception desk (opens onto the lobby)

ACCOMMODATIONS

We have arranged for a special group rate for the Hampton Inn & Suites which is a 10 minute walk from the symposium venue.

Hampton Inn and Suites Seattle-Downtown
700 5th Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
(206)282-7700

Our NGCS Group Rate is $219 for a King or Two Queen Bed Guestroom. Rates are non-commissionable exclusive of state and local taxes and fees. Cancellation policies apply. The Rivkin Center will not reimburse penalties for late cancellations.

Please note the group rate is available as long as the hotel has availability, on a first come first serve basis. The rate extends to three nights before and after the night of September 24th as long as there is availability.

Online Reservation Instructions
If you are booking before September 1st, click on our group link and follow the instructions. You may also book through their website.

  1. Under “BOOK A ROOM” on the left hand side, select your dates.
  2. Click on “Add special rate codes” and enter in our Group Code “RC1”.
  3. Click on “Check Rooms and Rates”.
  4. Select the room you would like and complete the booking with your personal information.

Phone Reservation Instructions
If you are booking on or after September 1st, call the Hampton directly at (206)282-7700 and ask for Ashton. Tell her you are with the Rivkin Group and she will assist you with making your reservation using our Group Rate.

PARKING

Parking is available at the Hampton for $15 per day. There is also limited free street parking nearby.

TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN SEATTLE AND SEA-TAC AIRPORT

Link Light Rail
The easiest and most economical way to get from the airport to Seattle is on the Link Light Rail. From baggage claim, follow signs to the Link Light Rail. Ticket machines will be on your way to the platform and they accept cash, Visa, or MasterCard. The fare to get from Sea-Tac to any of the downtown stations is $3. Chose the train heading toward Seattle & University of Washington.

* Note that trains do not run between 1am and 5am on weeknights. See here for hours.

Ride Shares & Taxis
To use a ride share app (Uber, Lyft, or Wingz) to get from Sea-Tac airport to Seattle, schedule the ride as usual in the app and follow signs to the App Based Ride Share Pick-up Area at the airport. To catch a metered taxi (206-242-6200) or flat rate taxi (206-242-8800), follow signs to Ground Transportation.

TRANSPORTATION WITHIN SEATTLE

The “OneBusyAway” app provides real time arrival information for buses, the Link light rail, and the Streetcar. Each bus stop should also have a poster indicating approximate arrival times for each route.

Buses
Fare is $2.75 and exact change is required upon boarding. Ask your driver for a transfer ticket which will allow you to use King County Metro bus lines as needed for the next two hours.

South Lake Union Streetcar
The Streetcar runs between the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and downtown Seattle at 10-15 minute intervals. Fare is $2.25 and the pay stations located at every streetcar stop accept credit cards or coins. See here for hours.

Stops nearest the Symposium venue (UW SLU campus):

  • Northbound streetcar (from downtown): Terry Ave N and Republican St
  • Southbound streetcar (from Fred Hutch): Westlake Ave N and Mercer St


Ride Shares & Taxis
Uber and Lyft are very popular in Seattle. Alternatively, traditional taxi services are available: Yellow Cab (206-622-6500), Orange Cab (206-522-8800).

Sponsorship Opportunities

The Rivkin Center gratefully acknowledges our sponsors for the 2019 Northwest Gynecological Cancer Symposium. Without their vital underwriting and dedication, this event would not be possible. Thank you!

For more information about sponsoring this year’s event, please review the sponsorship packet or contact Julie Anderson, Development Manager, at julie.anderson@swedish.orgor (206) 215-6044.

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Free Registration

The symposium is open to all. The FREE registration is required to partake in catered lunch and reception. Online registration closes on September 18th. Registration is limited to 120 participants. Limited day of registration will be available on a first come first served basis.

Register Here
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Talk to your Family

Talking to your family and identifying cancer in your family tree can be a good indicator of your health risks. Download our Family Tree Worksheet here.  Be sure to include yourself, children, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Family Tree Worksheet

Get Educated

Know your body and be proactive about your health. Learn about your breast and ovarian health. Learn about the risk factors and signs & symptoms for breast and ovarian cancer.
Learn about these types of cancer

Trusted Healthcare Provider

Having a relationship with a health care provider you know and trust is one of the most important decisions you’ll make about your health care. Click here to find a provider
Find a Provider

Higher Risk in the Ashkenazi Jewish Population

In the general population, around 1 in 400 people carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. People of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry have a 1 in 40 chance of carrying a BRCA mutation, making them 10 times as likely to carry a BRCA mutation as someone in the general population. Whether you’re a man or a woman, if you have a BRCA mutation then there is a 50% chance of passing the mutation on to your children, whether they are boys or girls. It’s important to note that these mutations significantly increase risk, but are not a guarantee a person will get cancer.

Why is the Ashkenazi Jewish population at higher risk?

Over 90% of the BRCA mutations found in the Jewish community are one of three “founder mutations”. A founder mutation is a specific gene mutation in a population that was founded by a small group of ancestors that were geographically or culturally isolated. Because the population was isolated, the rate of founder mutations in descendants is much higher than it would be if the population were larger and co-mingling with more genetically diverse populations. A large expansion in the population caused the current high frequency of the mutations in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. If you are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, the chance of carrying a BRCA gene mutation compared to the general population is increased tenfold. BRCA mutations can be passed down from either your mother’s or father’s side, and may be associated with any of the following cancers:
  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian cancer, fallopian tube, peritoneal cancer
  • Male breast cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Colon Cancer

Ready to take action? Knowledge is power. Take this short quiz to be proactive about your health.

Genes 101

Our bodies are made of many tiny building blocks called cells. Our cells contain a copy of our genome – all of the DNA genetic code we inherited from our parents. Our genome is organized into 46 chromosomes, 23 inherited from mom and 23 from dad. Each chromosome has hundreds or thousands of genes. Each gene has the instructions to make a protein that may control the structure or function of cells, can determine many things including how tall we are or the color of our eyes. Genes also contain instructions for many things inside of us that we cannot see, such as how our bones are formed or how our heart works. Each gene is made up of molecules called nucleic acids (A, T, C, and G). The specific sequence of the nucleic acids holds the instructions that control all the components and their functions in cells.

If the DNA sequence is changed, like a spelling mistake, the instructions may not make sense. The technical term for this change is “mutation,” meaning there is a change to the usual genetic code that may change the instructions stored in the gene. A mutation in a gene that repairs DNA damage or controls cell growth can increase the risk of developing cancer.

Sporadic vs Hereditary Cancers:

Ovarian and breast cancer can be either sporadic or hereditary. Sporadic cancers make up the vast majority (85-90%) of ovarian and breast cancers and are not associated with family history of either cancer or inherited cancer-associated mutations. Sporadic cancers arise from genetic mutations acquired in some cells of the body by events part of normal metabolism and environmental factors. This type of cancer can happen to anyone. Most acquired gene mutations are not shared among relatives or passed on to children.

Hereditary (also known as inherited, or familial) cancers are those that occur due to genetic mutations that are inherited from mom or dad. Other blood relatives may also share these same gene mutations. Parents give one copy of each gene to their children. If a parent has a genetic mutation in a gene, each of their children have a 50% chance of inheriting that mutation. Therefore, even in families with hereditary cancer, not all family members inherit the mutation that is causing cancer, and their risk of cancer is similar to the average person in the general population. Individuals who are suspected to have a family history with high incidence of ovarian, breast, and other cancers may be offered genetic testing to try to find the specific genetic mutation that may put them at risk. Importantly, individuals who do not have a known genetic mutation but have high incidence of ovarian, breast, or other cancers in their families are still considered at higher risk for developing those cancers.

Hereditary cancers often occur at an earlier age than the sporadic form of the same cancer, so experts often recommend starting cancer screening at a younger age for individuals at high risk for hereditary cancer. Hereditary cancers can also be more aggressive than the sporadic form of the same cancer. Individuals who have inherited a gene mutation may be at a higher risk for more than one type of cancer.

BRCA 1 and BRCA 2: Most Common hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

The genes that are most commonly involved in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) are BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes are named for their link to breast (BR) cancer (CA), but they are also linked to ovarian cancer risk as well as other cancers. Both women and men can inherit mutations in these HBOC genes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes that have a usual role in our body of providing instructions on repairing DNA damage and preventing cancer. When a family has an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2, this leads to an increase in cancer risk. Not every man or woman who has inherited a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene will develop cancer, but people who have a mutation do have a significanlty increased chance of developing cancer, particularly cancer of the breasts or ovaries.

While breast and ovarian cancers are the most common cancers diagnosed in people with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, the risk of some other cancers is also increased. Men with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have a higher risk of early-onset prostate cancer than men without mutations in either gene. Other cancers seen at increased rates, particularly in individuals with BRCA2 mutations, include pancreatic cancer and melanoma. Researchers are continuing to find new genes that are involved in hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer so it is important to follow up with a genetic counselor on a regular basis if hereditary breast and ovarian cancer is likely in your family.

Talk to your family about your health history and take the Assess Your Risk quiz here

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