Large Study Points to Similarities Between Endometrial and Ovarian Cancers
OCRF SAC member Doug Levine, MD has found similarities between endometrial and ovarian cancers.According to a large new study published May 2, 2013 in the prestigious journal Nature, researchers have found that endometrial tumors can be reclassified into distinct subtypes based partly on their genomic makeup, and may respond to targeted drugs already being tested in clinical trials. Furthermore, they found that genomic alterations in uterine serous tumors—the most dangerous of the uterine lining-- share many features with high-grade serous ovarian cancer and basil-like breast cancers.This important study was undertaken...
Source: OCRF News - May 2, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Many Ovarian Cancer Patients Use Humor to Cope
This study revealed that humor is an often used coping mechanism for women with recurrent ovarian cancer and subjectively helps alleviate anxiety. The use of humor by physicians was found to be universally perceived as appropriate and positive. The waiting area seems to be a place where humorous experiences would be welcomed. These findings provide additional insight into the role that humor plays in the lives of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Rose SL, Spencer RJ, Rausch MM. The use of humor in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer: a phenomenological study. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2013 May;23(4):775-9. doi: 10.1...
Source: OCRF News - April 30, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Experimental Drug Active in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
OCRF researcher shows a new kind of experimental drug is active against platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Earlier this month at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Cancer Research, OCRF grantee Joyce Liu, MD, MPH presented research showing that 20% of women with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer responded to an experimental drug that targets a protein common in ovarian cancer.The small clinical trial is the first to show results from this new class of drug, called antibody-drug conjugate. Those women with the highest expression of the drug’s target, MUC16, gained the most benefit from treatment, which may...
Source: OCRF News - April 15, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Two-Step Immunotherapy Shows Promise Against Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania reported success with a new two-step immunotherapy approach to treating advanced ovarian cancer. In a small study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research earlier this month, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania reported success with a new two-step immunotherapy approach to treating advanced ovarian cancer when combined with chemotherapy.The process begins with treatment with a personalized vaccine, which is created from the patient’s own dendritic cells. The vaccine is followed up with adoptive T-cell therapy, in which imm...
Source: OCRF News - April 15, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Disparities in Ovarian Cancer Care and Quality
Researchers found disparities in the quality of ovarian cancer care and survival according to race and socioeconomic status. In a new study of over 47,000 women with ovarian cancer, researchers found disparities in the quality of ovarian cancer care and survival according to race and socioeconomic status. Not receiving care adherent with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines was a predictor of inferior survival. Women who were black, on Medicare, or uninsured were less likely to receive this sub-optimal care. The authors of the study, which was published March 28, 2013 in the Journal of the National Cancer...
Source: OCRF News - April 9, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
New Clues about Origins of Ovarian Cancer
Researchers have discovered a possible site of origin of epithelial ovarian cancer.According to research published in March 6 in the journal Nature, researchers have discovered a possible origin of epithelial ovarian cancer. The origin of ovarian cancer is unclear, making the development of a method of early detection very difficult. Scientists know that some epithelial cancers occur in transitional zones between two types of epithelium (layers of tissue that line the body and organs and form glands), while others originate in epithelial tissue stem cells. All organs have the capacity for regeneration, which is done by...
Source: OCRF News - April 8, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
USPSTF Releases Draft Statement on Risk Assessment for BRCA-Related Cancer
USPSTF has released its draft recommendation statement on "Risk Assessment, Genetic Counseling, and Genetic Testing for BRCA-Related Cancer." On Tuesday, April 2, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released its draft recommendation statement on Risk Assessment, Genetic Counseling, and Genetic Testing for BRCA-Related Cancer. The USPSTF recommends that primary care providers screen women who have family members with breast or ovarian cancer with one of several screening tools designed to identify a family history that may be associated with an increased risk for potentially harmful mutations in breast canc...
Source: OCRF News - April 3, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Depression and Anxiety Drug May Ease Neuropathy from Chemo
A new study shows that the depression and anxiety drug duloxetine effectively treated painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.Research published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that the depression and anxiety drug duloxetine effectively treated painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy occurs in roughly 20% to 40% of patients treated with chemotherapy agents such as taxanes, platinums, and vinca alkaloids. The condition can persist for years following treatment and can interfere with quality of life.Results from the phase III...
Source: OCRF News - April 3, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
OCRF Research Identifies Genetic Variations Increasing Ovarian Cancer Risk
OCRF funded researchers have identified five new genetic variations that increase a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer.As part of a huge international effort involving more than 100 institutions and genetic tests on 200,000 people, researchers have discovered dozens of signposts in DNA that can help reveal further a person's risk for breast, ovarian or prostate cancer. The OCRF-funded Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium contributed to the ovarian cancer-related findings: five new genetic variations that increase a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer.The findings are published in four studies supported by O...
Source: OCRF News - March 28, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Night Shift Work May Increase Risk of Ovarian Cancer
A study found that women working the night shift may be at higher risk for ovarian cancer. A study by researchers from the Fred HutchinsonCancer Research Center in Seattle found that women working the night shift may be at higher risk for ovarian cancer. The study of 3,322 women was published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. NIght shift work was associated with a 24 percent higher risk of advanced ovarian cancer. Researchers suggest that melatonin, a hormone produced at night that regulates reproductive hormones such as estrogen, may be to blame for the increased risk. Sleep deprivation ...
Source: OCRF News - March 19, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Abagovomab As Maintenance Therapy in Patients With Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Results of a phase III trial of abagovomab supported by OCRF.In research published online on March 11, 2013 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers report on the results of a phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study that evaluated whether using abagovomab as maintenance therapy prolongs recurrence-free survival and overall survival in patients with ovarian cancer in patients in their first remission. This clinical trial was organized by Dr. Jonathan Berek and the Cooperative Ovarian Cancer Group for Immunotherapy, a consortium of ovarian cancer researchers created with funding from OCRF. R...
Source: OCRF News - March 18, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
News from the SGO Annual Meeting
Highlights from research presented at the March 2013 Society of Gynecologic Oncology's Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer.From March 9-12, 2013 top women’s cancer doctors from all over the world met in Los Angeles for the Society of Gynecologic Oncology's Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer. Lots of exciting research was presented at the meeting, representing the latest in the care and treatment of women with ovarian and other gynecologic cancers. Highlights from research presented at the meeting include: • Patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy were 17% more lik...
Source: OCRF News - March 15, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
More Evidence that IVF Does Not Increase Gyn Cancer Risk
New research published in Human Reproduction Update provides additional evidence that in vitro fertilization (IVF) does not increase women’s risk for ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer.New research published in Human Reproduction Update provides additional evidence that in vitro fertilization (IVF) does not increase women’s risk for ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer. Researchers have wondered if fertility treatments like IVF, which require the use of ovulation-stimulating drugs and the puncturing of the ovaries to retrieve eggs, increased women’s risk of gynecologic cancers. Some studies had found a...
Source: OCRF News - February 22, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
New Statistics on Ovarian Cancer in African Americans
In a report issued this month, the American Cancer Society released new statistics on cancer in African Americans. In a report issued this month, the American Cancer Society released new statistics on cancer in African Americans. Overall, cancer death rates among both African American men and women have declined, yet African Americans still have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any ethic group for cancer. However, for ovarian cancer, both incidence and mortality are lower for African American women than white women. Click here for the complete article. (Source: OCRF News)
Source: OCRF News - February 20, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
New Study Shows No Link between Obesity and Risk for Most Common Ovarian Cancer
Results from this study showed that while obesity does appear to increase risk of less common types of ovarian cancer, it does not increase the risk of the most common and deadly type, high-grade invasive serous ovarian cancers. A new study published in Endocrine-Related Cancer which used data from the OCRF-funded Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium, evaluated the association between BMI and ovarian cancer risk, and also examined the association by histological subtype, menopausal status, and post-menopausal hormone (HRT) use. Results showed that while obesity does appear to increase risk of less common types of ova...
Source: OCRF News - February 15, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
