Ovarian Cancer Research News - Fall 2016

I am pleased to share a number of recently released research studies. The list was compiled by Sarah DeFeo of OCRFA. Links to journal articles may be found on the OCRF page describing each study.

Risk-reducing Oophorectomy is Risky, Study Shows

A Mayo Clinic research team has found evidence suggesting that premenopausal women who are not at high risk of ovarian cancer should not have their ovaries removed for the purpose of cancer prevention. 

Dee's Note: Removal of the ovaries should only be considered if you have a BRCA mutation. The side effects from ovary removal may lead to other health issues - cardiac, bone etc.

Niraparib Significantly Improves Outcome of Ovarian Cancer Patients

According to research published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine, the PARP inhibitor niraparib improves progression free survival in recurrent, platinum-sensitive women both with and without germline BRCA mutations.

 Dee's Note: This Parp inhibitor showed significant improved progression-free survival versus placebo for women with and without BRCA mutations or homologous recombination deficiency.

Low Volume Surgeons Lead to Poorer Outcomes

A new analysis published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology determined the impact of gynecologic surgeon volumes on patient outcomes.

Dee's Note: Previous studies showed similar results. Low volume surgeon had higher mortality rates. Have your surgery done by a gynecologic oncologist who has completed many of these surgeries. 
 

OCRFA Research Shows Drugs Help Anti-tumor Immunity

New OCRFA-funded research demonstrates how a drug already in clinical trials could be used to boost anti-tumor immunity and cause T-cells to target the cancer directly while minimizing side effects.

Dee's Notes: PDL-1 and PD-1 work to prevent T-cells from fighting cancer cells. It was found that BET ( bromodomain and extraterminal domain)inhibitors can stop BRD4 (bromodomain-containing protein 4) which contributes to PDL-1 expression. 

Oral Contraceptives Play Role in Decline of Deaths from Ovarian Cancer

The European Society of Medical Oncology published a study last week that indicated the reasons for a decrease in deaths from ovarian cancer in both young women and post-menopausal women. 

 Dee's Notes: I am confused about how the deaths from ovarian cancer can decrease if the number of women diagnosed has stayed constant. Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are no longer on oral contraceptives. Anyone have insight into this issue please leave a comment below. 

SGO and ASCO Agree on Guidelines for Common Type of Ovarian Cancer

While primary cytoreductive surgery followed by chemotherapy is the standard of care for newly diagnosed women with advanced ovarian cancer, newly issued practice guidelines suggest that some patients may benefit more from first-line neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and followed by surgery.

 Dee's Notes: Newly diagnosed women with stage IIIC or IV epithelial ovarian cancer who may only achieve suboptimal debulking ( less than 1 cm) should receive chemotherapy first.

Women Still Getting CA-125 and CT Testing After Ovarian Cancer, Despite Lack of Clear Benefit

A study published recently in JAMA Oncology showed that CA-125 tests and CT scans are routinely used in ovarian cancer surveillance testing, even though evidence has shown there is no clinical benefit to using these tests

 Dee's Notes: This prospective study showed no benefit to using CA-125 / CT scans as surveillance for OC. "During a 12-month period, there was a mean of 4.6 CA-125 tests and 1.7 CT scans performed per patient" 

Write up from Annie Ellis:  Research Round-Up: 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium September 12-13, 2014 in Seattle, Washington

The Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium is presented by the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer and the American Association for Cancer Research. 

 Dee's Note: Good Summary of presentations on OC screening, treatment, microenvironments and disease mechanisms. 


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!  

You Can Reduce Your Risk

Yesterday’s post listed what increased a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer. Now let’s look at the flip side and list what things can reduce your risk of ovarian cancer

• Use of oral contraceptive
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Bilateral tubal ligation (close the fallopian tubes) and hysterectomy( removal of the uterus)
• Prophylactic Oopherectomy (removal of both ovaries even if there is no sign of cancer) decreased a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by 2/3rds.
• Diet : dietary recommendations are still uncertain with studies unable to confirm results. A healthy diet with vegetables is recommended. By eating a healthy diet you are also reducing your risk for other cancers and heart disease.

 Source:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovariancancer/detailedguide/ovarian-cancer-risk-factors

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing! 

A Protein and the Pill

These reports are too interesting to just post on my Latest OC Research Page.

All About a Protein:

This News Medical article titled " Fat Cells Play a Major Role in Mediating Ovarian Cancer Metastisis" explains in layman's terms how FABP4, a fatty acid binding protein, may promote the spread of ovarian cancer cells to the oomentum.

Here is a link to the original research in Nature Medicine "Adipocytes Promote Ovarian Cancer metastasis and Provide Energy for Rapid Tumor Growth"

The Pill and Risk:

An article "Oral Contraceptive Use and Reproductive factors and Risk of Ovarian Cacner in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition" in the British Journal of Cancer showed that taking oral contraceptives for 10 years reduced a women's risk of getting Ovarian Cancer.

Here is a link to the News Medical article on the study.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!