Articles tagged with Ovarian Cancer
Women taking hormone therapy have a 38% increased risk of ovarian cancer, with risks increasing by 44% for epithelial tumors. The absolute risk is approximately 1 extra ovarian cancer for every 8,300 women taking hormone therapy annually.
Two studies found significant racial disparities in breast cancer survival rates, with black women having a higher hazard of death compared to white women. The disparity persists even when controlling for treatment factors and socioeconomic status.
Researchers found African Americans have lower survival rates for breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers due to biological factors, not socioeconomic ones. The study of 19,457 patients showed 49% more likelihood of death from early-stage breast cancer among African Americans.
Researchers found a singular mutation in the FOXL2 gene that causes granulosa cell tumours, a rare and often untreatable form of ovarian cancer. The discovery provides a specific diagnostic tool and potential treatment pathway for women with this cancer type.
A new study published in Journal of General Internal Medicine found that few women with family histories of hereditary breast or ovarian cancer are discussing genetic testing with their physicians. Most high-risk women are unaware of the available test or have not discussed it with their clinician.
Researchers found genetic variations in miRNA processing genes and binding sites associated with increased ovarian cancer risk and shorter survival times. Variations also indicated likelihood of response to platinum-based chemotherapy, potentially using a single blood sample for prognosis and therapy prediction.
A pre-clinical study found that adding dasatinib to standard chemotherapy increases the effectiveness of treatment in ovarian cancers with high SRC expression. This synergistic effect was absent in low SRC expressing cancers, suggesting targeted therapies like dasatinib may improve response rates.
A new study found that ultrasound and blood test screening for ovarian cancer only catches the disease in its late stages, resulting in unnecessary surgery. The positive predictive value of these tests is remarkably low, leading to many false positives.
A study at Duke University Medical Center suggests that ovarian cancers detected early on may be slower-growing and less likely to spread than more aggressive forms. This finding challenges the idea of screening for ovarian cancer as a means of reducing mortality.
The largest randomised trial of ovarian cancer screening has shown that both the CA125 blood test and transvaginal ultrasound screening strategies are capable of detecting early stage ovarian cancers. The study detected almost half of all cancers in stage I/II, with a significant improvement in specificity for multimodal screening.
The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) and the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) have jointly funded a new study on ovarian cancer symptoms, aiming to develop a systematic screening process. Dr. Barbara Goff will lead the three-year study, which seeks to create a symptom index for early detection.
Research finds that increased angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor expression are associated with poor survival in women with sex cord-stromal ovarian tumors. High microvessel density and VEGF overexpression were linked to significantly poorer survival rates, as well as recurrence and metastasis.
Researchers have discovered a gene expression signature associated with survival in advanced ovarian cancer. The study identified specific genes and pathways that correlate with overall survival, providing potential targets for therapies and personalized treatment strategies.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that leaving the ovaries intact during surgery for early-stage endometrial cancer has no survival benefit compared to removing them. This approach could spare women from surgery-induced early menopause, hot flashes, and increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.
A meta-analysis of 10 studies confirms that risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy significantly reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers in women with BRCA mutations. The procedure is associated with a 51% relative reduction in breast cancer risk and an 79% relative reduction in ovarian cancer risk.
A new study published by the American Cancer Society found that obesity may contribute to the development of ovarian cancer through a hormonal mechanism. Women who were obese had an almost 80% higher risk of ovarian cancer compared to those of normal weight, particularly in women who had never used menopausal hormone therapy.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered that a tumor-suppressing gene called ARHI acts as a switch for autophagy in ovarian cancer cells, allowing dormant cells to survive by avoiding starvation. Blocking this autophagic pathway could provide a novel strategy for eliminating dormant ovarian cancer...
Researchers found that obese and non-obese patients have the same overall survival rate for ovarian cancer if their chemotherapy doses are tailored to their individual body weight. The study, published in Gynecologic Oncology, challenges earlier research suggesting obesity reduces ovarian cancer survival rates.
A study by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that women with high levels of Dicer and Drosha proteins had a median survival of 11 years, while those with low levels had only 2.66 years. Low levels of Dicer are also predictive of poor outcomes in lung and breast cancer patients.
Researchers at University of California, Berkeley discovered that blocking proteins coded by notorious gene MYC can stop ovarian cancer cell proliferation. By using RNA interference and small interfering RNA to silence L-Myc and N-Myc proteins, the scientists were able to shut down growth in non-amplified MYC tumors.
Researchers discovered that blocking proteins produced by the MYC oncogene can halt ovarian cancer cell proliferation. Using RNA interference, they silenced c-Myc and L-Myc proteins in lab cultures with amplified MYC, preventing cancer cell growth.
A recent Ontario study found that only 19% of women with invasive ovarian cancer were referred for genetic testing of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, highlighting a lack of awareness about the risks and benefits of genetic testing. This omission puts family members at risk as they are unaware of their potential cancer risk.
A phase III, international randomized clinical trial supports a new standard of treatment for women with advanced ovarian cancer, reducing complications and post-operative deaths. The study demonstrates that neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery can be the preferred treatment for patients with very extensive d...
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered how ovarian tumors use fatty substances to suppress the body's immune response, leaving disease unchecked. The team found that fluid secretions from tumors can block activation of natural killer T cells, which are crucial for fighting cancer.
Research suggests ovarian cancer subtypes have distinct biomarker profiles, affecting patient outcomes and treatment strategies. The study analyzed 500 ovarian cancer samples to identify correlations between biomarkers and survival rates, highlighting the need for subtype-specific approaches.
GUMC researchers will present several scientific findings on black women's health, including the importance of colonoscopy utilization and BRCA1/2 genetic testing. Studies reveal predictors of genetic testing among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, highlighting the need for clinical practice to identify patients at risk.
Research finds that PEA-15 protein forces ovarian cancer cells to eat themselves, leading to increased median survival time. High levels of PEA-15 are linked to improved patient outcomes and may offer a new dimension for targeting ERK in cancer therapy.
A new anti-cancer compound, BI 6727, has shown encouraging anti-tumour activity in a phase I clinical trial. The compound works by inhibiting the action of Polo-like kinase 1, leading to abnormal mitotic spindles and disrupting cell division.
Researchers have identified TEM1 as a specific genetic marker for the vascular cells associated with tumor growth in ovarian cancer. High levels of TEM1 were correlated with decreased survival rates, making it a potential screening tool for early detection.
A phase III clinical trial led by UC Irvine's Dr. Bradley Monk found trabectedin to be effective in stopping ovarian cancer cell growth, with a median progression-free time of 9.2 months for those treated with the combination therapy. The treatment has hope for improved treatment of this deadly disease.
A phase II trial of the investigational drug pazopanib has shown promising results in treating ovarian cancer. The study found that 31% of patients experienced a significant decrease in CA-125 levels, with a median duration of response of 113 days.
A new combination therapy of trabectedin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin shows clinical benefit for women with relapsed ovarian cancer. The treatment offers an alternative to traditional platinum-based regimens, providing a fresh option for those whose cancer recurs after first-line treatment.
Researchers found overexpression of TG2 in ovarian cancer to be associated with increased tumor cell growth, adhesion, resistance to chemotherapy, and lower overall survival rates. Silencing TG2 using siRNA reversed cancer progression, suggesting the protein as a novel therapeutic approach for late-stage ovarian cancer.
A Swedish study found that more than 40% of widowers were never informed about their wives' incurable cancer or received the news in the last week of her life. The study suggests room for improvement in healthcare provider communication with husbands, particularly those who did not receive information before the wife's death.
Researchers found that ovarian cancer has a distinct scent different from other cancers, which can be detected by trained dogs. Early-stage and low-grade ovarian cancers emit the same scent as advanced tumors.
A new study finds that combining symptom screening with a simple blood test can detect over 80% of women with early-stage ovarian cancer and nearly 95% with late-stage disease. This approach may lead to improved cure rates for those diagnosed at an earlier stage.
Researchers say combined PET/CT scanning can enable doctors to determine if ovarian cancer has spread without surgery, reducing unnecessary surgeries and complications. The technology showed promising results in accurately staging early-stage ovarian cancer patients.
Researchers at University of Oklahoma discovered a chemical compound that prevents cancer in lab tests, successfully stopping normal cells from turning into cancer cells and inhibiting tumor growth. The compound, SHetA2, is being developed by NCI as a cancer prevention drug to be taken daily like a multi-vitamin.
Researchers discovered glypican-3 loss induces overgrowth through Sonic Hedgehog, a growth factor stimulating cancer growth in rare disorder SGBS. This finding opens doors for novel treatments to inhibit overgrowth activity benefiting SGBS patients and GPC3-related cancer patients.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a new drug compound, NV-128, that can induce the death of ovarian cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy. The compound works by halting the activation of the mTOR protein pathway, which is associated with tumor growth and resistance to conventional therapies.
Researchers have identified and cloned ovarian cancer stem cells, which may be the source of recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy. These stem cells can replicate indefinitely and are highly resistant to conventional treatment.
A study found two gene variants in the AKAP protein family to be linked to an elevated breast cancer risk, particularly in women from breast cancer families. These variants, located on the AKAP9 gene, were found to increase the risk by 17% and 27% respectively.
Researchers have discovered that an enzyme called MMP-2 is necessary for ovarian cancer to attach itself to new sites, and that blocking its production can slow the spread of the disease. In a mouse study, early treatment with an MMP-2 inhibitor reduced tumor growth by 68% and nearly doubled survival time.
A nationwide study in the Netherlands found that women diagnosed with early-stage ovarian cancer treated at semispecialized or specialized hospitals survived longer than those treated at general hospitals. The estimated five-year survival improved with increasing specialization of the treatment facility, from 38% to 40.3%.
Researchers found that low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary is less sensitive to chemotherapy than more common high-grade ovarian cancers. The overall response rate was only 4% in patients with recurrent disease, and no response was observed in women with platinum-resistant disease.
Researchers have developed a new test combining biomarkers HE4 and CA 125 to assess ovarian cancer risk. The test shows high sensitivity and specificity in predicting epithelial cancer, accurately stratifying patients as high or low risk.
Researchers found advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients with non-Ashkenazi Jewish BRCA mutations experience longer progression-free and overall survival rates compared to those without BRCA mutations. Additionally, a majority of women with ovarian cancer are unaware that BRCA testing is available, despite it potentially improving thei...
A University of Minnesota study has shown promising results for thalidomide as a treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer. Patients who received the combination of thalidomide and topotecan had a higher overall response rate and longer cancer-free period compared to those receiving topotecan alone.
A protein called interleukin-8 (IL-8) promotes tumor growth and angiogenesis in ovarian cancer. Researchers have identified IL-8 as a therapeutic target and tested short interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence its production, reducing tumor size by attacking its blood supply.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed a blood test that detects early stage ovarian cancer with 99% accuracy, building on previous work showing 95% effectiveness. The new platform uses six protein biomarkers instead of four, increasing specificity from 95 to 99.4%.
A new study by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is associated with a 72% breast cancer risk reduction in women with BRCA2 mutations, compared to 38% for BRCA1 mutation carriers. The surgery also reduced the risk of gynecologic cancer by 85% in women with a BRCA1 mutation.
A collaborative study found that oral contraceptive use reduces ovarian cancer incidence by 8 per 1000 women before age 75. Long-term use significantly lowers mortality from the disease, preventing approximately two ovarian cancers and one death per 5000 woman-years of use.
A new study found no association between current or past smoking and ovarian cancer risk. However, an inverse trend of risk was observed with total caffeine and caffeinated coffee intake, particularly in women who had never used oral contraceptives or postmenopausal hormones.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that high-quality pre-operative ultrasound examinations can significantly decrease the number of unnecessary major surgical operations on women with suspected ovarian cancer. Experts' accuracy rates were 95%, while routine operators' accuracy was lower. Increasing ultrasound expertise is k...
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that Ashkenazi Jewish women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have a significantly longer survival rate compared to those without these mutations. After up to nine years of follow-up, carriers were 28% less likely to die from ovarian cancer.
TGFBI, an extracellular matrix protein, induces microtubule stabilization and modulates sensitivity to paclitaxel in ovarian cancer cells. The study reveals that loss of TGFBI expression can induce resistance to taxane therapy.
Researchers have made significant progress in identifying new biomarkers for epithelial ovarian cancer, which can aid in early detection and improve treatment outcomes. The study highlights the potential of these biomarkers as therapeutic and imaging targets.
A Phase II trial of a new combination therapy for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer showed a 33% overall response rate, twice as high as traditional chemotherapy regimens. The therapy combines flavopiridol and cisplatin and is promising for developing more effective treatments for this disease.
Researchers found that a low-fat dietary pattern reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 40% in healthy postmenopausal women. The study followed 48,835 women for an average of 8.1 years and found no effect during the first four years due to the slow development of preventive benefits.
A low-fat diet was associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women, with the greatest reduction seen in those with high fat intake before the study. The findings suggest that a low-fat dietary pattern may be beneficial in reducing cancer incidence rates.