we're taking a stand
against ovarian cancer
let’s fight cancer by catching it earlier
The enemy:
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Our goal is to use systematic and comprehensive approaches for the identification of DNA & RNA based biomarkers that can sensitively detect early stages Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), which will help reduce mortality and recurrence associated with this disease.
The Details
People with EOC have a 5 year survival rate
Why is EOC so lethal?
The detection of stage 1 ovarian cancer is hampered by the lack of an early detection test. Unlike screening mammograms in breast cancer or colonoscopy in colon cancer, the ovary is relatively inaccessible and there is no current screening test.
While a serum cancer antigen test (CA125) does give an indication of a potential ovarian cancer, it is non-specific with high false positive rates, as its elevated levels may result from many different conditions, including menstruation, pregnancy, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, appendicitis and other cancers.
Our first goal in the process
The purpose of this aim is discovery of an epigenetic signature associated with stage 1 EOC tissue, which can also be detected in circulation.
Our second goal in the process
The purpose of this aim is to prioritize and validate the putative EOC early detection signature comprised of differentially methylated CpG loci and differentially expressed miRNAs in an independent cohort of 40 stage 1 EOC tissues and plasmas obtained as above.
How our study can increase a woman's chance of survival
The expectation is that a liquid biopsy for recurrence will reduce breast cancer mortality by better distinguishing indolent from aggressive disease using a sensitive method to detect microscopic cells that still remain after the completion of aggressive and definitive therapy.
Furthermore, if we could segment the breast cancer population into low and high-risk groups, then screening individuals more routinely might lead to more cost-effective therapies, potentially produce fewer unnecessary interventions, and result in more aggressive and prophylactic treatments for those identified to be at high risk.
This study will undoubtedly improve upon our current understanding of breast cancer and could potentially lead us towards novel therapeutic targets and prevention methods.
Our study design, sample resources, expertise in breast oncology, together with our technical capabilities and know-how is expected to lead to a clinical test within the next 5 years. Our study will increase the likelihood of long-term progression-free survival for breast cancer patients world-wide.
We Need Your Help to
Detect EOC
We aim to prove we can be force in the fight against EOC by improving the treatment strategy and preventing recurrence.
You can be a part of the solution as we need blood samples from women to help us move forward with this study.
We cannot beat EOC without you! By taking the survey and supporting our research, you are making a difference in countless lives.
