Recent advances in research
June 23, 2016
Developments over the past decade
Women living with ovarian cancer and their families recently had the opportunity to hear directly from scientists as part of a session called “Ovarian Cancer Research and You.” This special presentation was held in conjunction with the 8th Canadian Conference on Ovarian Cancer Research, which convened leading minds in the field.
Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden, Corinne Boyer Chair in Ovarian Cancer Research at the University of Ottawa, and Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, opened the day’s programming. As the Corinne Boyer Chair for 15 years, she has had a crucial role in advancing knowledge on ovarian cancer by stimulating research activity and building capacity.
“When I began this work, there were only three other ovarian cancer researchers in Canada,” she says. “With just the four of us, we weren’t going to be able to change the world like we wanted. That’s why I started the Canadian Conference on Ovarian Cancer Research and that’s how we went from three people to more than 60 ovarian cancer researchers across the country.”
This growing research community has led to a number of recent discoveries. For instance, it is now known that ovarian cancer is not one disease but a spectrum of diseases with different responses to treatment. Over time, science has also uncovered distinguishing characteristics of the various types of ovarian cancer, pointing to potential for treatments that more effectively target the disease.
Reflecting on the past decade, Dr. Vanderhyden drew attention to the following developments:
1. The discovery that some cases of ovarian cancer actually begin in the fallopian tubes.
Though it was previously believed that ovarian cancer originated in the ovaries, studies have shown that at least half the cases of high-grade serous ovarian cancer start in the tubes. In some provinces, women who are having abdominal surgery of any kind are being urged to remove their fallopian tubes, if they are no longer required for childbearing.
2. Two large-scale studies in the UK and the US aimed at extending detection methods for population-based screening.
While the American study identified more cases of ovarian cancer, associated surgeries came with their own risks leaving the overall survival rate largely unchanged. The UK study seems to suggest that monitoring women for 7 to 10 years may lead to a decrease in mortality, however a few more years are required to confirm outcomes.
At present, there is still no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer.
3. Dr. Vanderhyden’s research team developed the world’s first mouse model of ovarian cancer, which replicates the characteristics and behaviours of ovarian cancer in humans.
These models have been used extensively to test treatments and explore the origins of ovarian cancer.
To date, mouse models have helped further understanding of the gene mutations that contribute to ovarian cancer, how these mutations can be used to distinguish between different disease types, and ways in which treatments can target mutations.
4. Immune therapies continue to show promise for preventing recurrence.
Immunotherapy is an emerging approach to treatment that boosts the immune response to cancer. It enables the body to target and destroy cancer cells by using:
- Vaccines that enhance immune system response
- Inhibitors that affect how the immune system regulates itself
- Adoptive T-cell transfer, which removes a patient’s cancer-fighting T-cells and activates them before returning them to the bloodstream
5. New resources are helping to advance knowledge of ovarian cancer.
Funded in part by Ovarian Cancer Canada, the national tissue bank network collects ovarian tumours to share with scientists and physicians requiring samples for research purposes. Hundreds of projects have drawn from this resource over the years. Among them, an exciting study called COEUR, which is funded by the Terry Fox Research Institute, uses the tissue bank to identify biomarkers that may help detect tumours earlier and predict responses to treatment.
Platinum sponsor of the Canadian Conference on Ovarian Cancer Research, Ovarian Cancer Canada proudly offers programs like “Ovarian Cancer Research and You” to the community of women and families living with the disease. The organization also founded Dr. Vanderhyden’s position in 2000 through a partnership with the University of Ottawa.
To help ensure that important research continues across the country, please register to join Dr. Vanderhyden and her colleagues at the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope on Sunday, September 11, 2016.*
Find videos from “Ovarian Cancer Research and You” and other informative webinars in the Online support section of ovariancanada.org.
*The Walk takes place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 in Yarmouth, NS and Ajax, ON.
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