Research News
Ovarian Cancer Canada funds research into prevention, improved treatments, and ultimately a cure. Science continues to uncover new knowledge that impacts treatment and survival. Here’s how.
We know that advancing progress in ovarian cancer research is vital to driving our vision of women living fuller, better, longer lives.
We know this disease is not a “one-size-fits-all” cancer. It’s complex, with many subtypes. But we inch closer and closer toward a future when the disease can be successfully and sustainably identified, treated and managed and it starts with understanding more about ovarian cancer itself. This is why it’s so important we invest in researchers who are working to make that happen. One way we do this is through the Anita Unruh Prize.
PARP inhibitors (PARPi) are a new family of drugs being used in the treatment of ovarian cancer. This kind of cancer treatment has a different focus than something like immunotherapy that targets the body’s immune system. PARP inhibitors target the ability of a cancer cell to repair its damaged DNA and either survive or die. PARP is a protein inside cells that helps repair damage to the cell DNA. If the cell can repair itself, it will survive and grow. If the cell cannot repair itself, it will die. So, the PARP “inhibitor” stops a cancer cell from repairing its DNA which causes cell death and prevents tumour growth.
Ovarian cancer represents a set of diseases, or subtypes. Each grows differently and responds differently to treatment. This relatively new finding has led a number of scientists to focus their studies on specific subtypes.
As scientists, research trainees, and specialists gathered in Edmonton for the Canadian Conference on Ovarian Cancer Research, women and their families came from near and far to attend a concurrent workshop focused on survivorship. It featured a full day of presentations on promising research as well as practical insights on the journey with this disease.
Yikan Wang receives the inaugural Anita Unruh Prize
Five years ago, Yikan Wang joined the Shah Lab to pursue postdoctoral training at BC Cancer, where she’s just completed a term researching ovarian cancer.
A test called CancerSEEK made recent headlines based on its potential for detecting eight different types of cancer. CancerSEEK represents a new approach, testing blood for certain genes and proteins that could indicate the presence of disease. But current evidence does not support its broad use for cancer screening.
Prior to surgery for ovarian cancer, women who live in specific areas are asked if they would allow collection of biological samples in support of research. If they agree, small amounts of their blood, saliva, cells from healthy ovaries, as well as tissues from tumors will be collected and made available to scientists and physicians studying ovarian cancer.
For years, Dr. Jim Petrik and his lab team at the University of Guelph have focused on improving the quality of tumour blood vessels. While it may sound like this helps the tumour, the approach is showing promise for improved treatment delivery.
Cells adapt to stress in order to survive. When stress comes in the form of starvation, they work to sustain themselves. This response is called autophagy, when cells slowly eat parts of themselves until more nutrients are available. But autophagy can also be hijacked by cancer cells to increase tumour growth and aggressiveness.
For years, it’s been understood that ovarian cancer is not one disease, but a variety of diseases with varying responses to treatment. Now scientists are delving further to look at ovarian cancer in a different way.