Cancer Research Journal » Ovarian Cancer

HR 493 is The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, commonly referred to as GINA. It prohibits employers and health insurance companies from discriminating against people with genes that make it more likely they will develop cancer (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 for breast and ovarian cancers) or other hereditary diseases.

The Act’s passage is being praised by Americans with genetic test results showing they’re genetically predisposed to cancer, as well as those who’ve been afraid to get DNA tests because they feared losing their health insurance.

Cancer advocacy groups and legislators worked for 13 years to get GINA passed, but now that the law’s enacted, there’s more to be done. As one expert said,

“Our challenge now is to make sure that doctors and patients are aware of these new protections so that fear of discrimination never again stands in the way of a decision to take a genetic test that could save a life.”

Kathy Hudson, PhD
Director, Genetics and Public Policy Center
Johns Hopkins University

If you’d like to read more about the potential uses of genetic information, you can click here to visit the Human Genome Project Information page.

Source: C-SPAN

Technorati Tags: pre-vivor; oncology; genetic counseling; family history; cancer prevention; health policy

Oct 7, 2008: PBS Airs Cancer Pre-vivor Documentary

Lisa — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:01:12 +0000

On October 7, 2008, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) program POV will air a new documentary about the difficult choices faced by women with a family history of cancer.

In the Family chronicles the experiences of filmmaker Joanna Rudnick and several other women whose genes give them a high risk of developing cancer. The cameras follow along as these women decide whether or not to undergo life-changing prophylactic mastectomies and oophorectomies. It also shows how these decisions impact the women’s relationships with their families and significant others.

While I haven’t seen the film in its entirety yet, Rudnick certainly has the right credentials to bring this complex topic to the screen. At 27, genetic tests revealed she had a BRCA mutation which dramatically increases her chances of getting breast and ovarian cancer, she’s earned a master’s degree in Science and Environmental Journalism from Northwestern University, and she’s already been involved with several award-winning documentaries about other compelling topics.

The film has also been getting good reviews from the attendees of FORCE annual conferences (Rudnick has been screening preliminary footage from the film at these meetings over the last few years.) FORCE is the nonprofit organization credited with coining “pre-vivor”, a term describing someone who has a genetic predisposition to cancer, but who hasn’t been diagnosed with the disease.

If you’d like to see a trailer for In the Family, you can view it at http://inthefamily.kartemquin.com/.

Source – FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered Updates

Technorati Tags: oncology; genetic counseling; cancer risk factors; cancer prevention; cancer awareness; women’s health; genomics; gynecologic cancers

OR-Live Tonight: Robot-Assisted Gynecological Cancer Surgery

Lisa — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:54:06 +0000

If you’ve been reading our journal for a while, you know I’m a big fan of OR-Live, an innovative web site that lets you watch cutting-edge medical procedures from the comfort of your own home.

OR-Live covers a wide variety of operations going on around the country and tonight’s will involve a cancer patient.

This evening’s feature will be a live robot-assisted gynecological oncology surgery performed by Kelly L. Molpus, MD. The procedure will be performed at the Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The public webcast is scheduled for 7:00 pm EDT, April 24, 2008. If you miss this broadcast, you can view the video later by accessing the OR-Live archives. To learn more or see a preview, visit www.or-live.com/HalifaxHealth/2301/.

Source: OR-Live Upcoming Live Webcasts

The Pill: What New Cancer Research Says About the Risks

Lisa — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:21:25 +0000

Weighing the risks and benefits of birth control pills?

Here’s a snapshot of some of the new research relating to oral contraceptives and their impact on cancer risk.

Birth Control Pill Use Cuts Ovarian Cancer Risk
from American Cancer Society News and Features

Cancer Risk Among Users of Oral Contraceptives
from BMJ

Cervical cancer risk seen higher when on the pill
from Reuters

Do Oral Contraceptives or Birth Control Pills Increase My Risk for Breast Cancer?
from ABC News

Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risks: Questions and Answers
from the National Cancer Institute

If you’re considering birth control, be sure to discuss your lifestyle, family history, and any drugs or supplements you’re taking with your healthcare provider before making up your mind about contraception.

Source: CancerResearchJournal.com

Related Video: Cancer and Birth Control Pills from CNN Video

Related Podcast: 365-Day Birth Control Pill Stirs Controversy from NPR

Technorati Tags: reproductive health; women’s health; cancer risk factors

PI3K Signals Impact Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prognosis

Lisa — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:56:51 +0000

Researchers from the University of Minnesota and Duke University have discovered how specific proteins regulate genes responsible for turning cancer cells on or off in women with breast and ovarian cancers.

To arrive at their finding, the team studied 408 breast cancer patients and 153 ovarian cancer patients. Their investigation revealed that increased activity in the PI3K pathway of the E2F1 gene repressed cell death allowing cancer cells to multiply. In contrast, lower levels of P13K activity allowed cancer cells to die improving the patient’s prognosis.

The scientists hope their findings will open the door for new cancer treatments that specifically target the E2F1 gene. As one researcher stated,

“These findings open the door for testing the therapeutic value of chemically inhibiting PI3K signaling in these tumors, restoring expression of cell death genes, and thereby improving the prognosis of these patients.”

Timothy Hallstrom, PhD
University of Minnesota Cancer Center

If you’d like to learn more, results of the Duke-Minnesota study are published in the January 8, 2008, edition of the journal Cancer Cell.

Source: University of Minnesota Cancer Center News

Light-Activated Compound Kills Cisplatin-Resistant Cancer

Lisa — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:55:59 +0000

A team of international researchers has discovered a platinum-based compound which is activated by light and potent enough to kill cancers resistant to Cisplatin treatments.

Scientists from the University of Warwick, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Dundee and the Czech Republic’s Institute of Biophysics found the new compound, known as light-activated PtIV complex, is between 13 and 80 times more toxic to cancer cells than similar platinum-based drugs being used to treat cancer today.

And unlike other photodynamic therapies, this compound doesn’t require much oxygen in the cancer cell to become toxic.

The team reports their research is in the early stages, but they hope their work will lead to more efficient types of photo-activated chemotherapy which reduce the toxic side effects experienced by cancer patients. As the project’s leader explained,

“Light activation provides its massive toxic power and also allows treatment to be targeted much more accurately against cancer cells.”

Professor Peter Sadler
Chairman, Department of Chemistry
University of Warwick

If you’d like to learn more about the platinum-based compound, results from the team’s study have been published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Source: University of Warwick News

Tags: oncology; Platinol; Scotland; United Kingdom; cytotoxic

Italian Scientists Tie Trop-2 Gene to Tumor Growth

Lisa — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:05:27 +0000

Scientists from the University of Chieti in Italy have found that a gene which normally functions in the placenta during the early stages of pregnancy is also expressed in most human cancers.

Professor Saverio Alberti and his team discovered that the Trop-2 gene was involved in the formation of invasive cells needed during the stage between when the egg is fertilized and the embryo is formed. That finding led them to wonder if Trop-2 might also play a part in another invasive function – tumor growth.

To find out, Alberti’s group studied 1,755 tumors using immunohistochemical analysis. Their research showed that Trop-2 was over-expressed 65% to 90% of the time (with a 74% average occurrence) in different categories of tumors. Additionally, the gene was present in the vast majority of human cancers including breast, colon, stomach, lung, prostate, ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and pancreatic cancers.

In comparison, most other known markers appear much less frequently and are only linked to smaller subgroups, such as PSA for prostate cancer.

Unraveling the secrets of two sequence elements present in the Trop-2 cytoplasmic tail has been one of the most intriguing parts of the study, say the researchers. They are hopeful their work will help identify the specific molecules responsible for the formation of metastases. As Professor Alberti stated,

“If we can identify such molecules we will be approaching a situation where we could influence their activity and hence either encourage or prevent it.”

The team presented their findings at the 14th European Cancer Conference held September 23-27, 2007, in Barcelona, Spain.

Source: News-Medical.Net

Tags: receptor; The Origin-of-Life Prize®; Chieti; blastocyst

Presidential Proclamations Focus Attention on Two Cancers

Lisa — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 13:00:48 +0000

Two common cancers–one which strikes women and another that strikes men–will be sharing the spotlight next month.

President George W. Bush has signed a pair of official proclamations declaring September 2007 National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

The proclamations serve as a tribute to the many scientists, researchers, and healthcare professionals who devote their efforts to help prevent and treat ovarian and prostate cancers. They also provide an important reminder to get regular cancer screenings and to report any symptoms to your doctor.

If you’re looking for a special way to commemorate the occasion, here’s a list of some events benefiting cancer patients, survivors and research organizations going on around the nation throughout September:

Sept 8 – Amish Harvest Tour to Cure Cancer benefiting cancer research at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center (Hills, Iowa)

Sept 8 – 2nd Annual Portland Angel Adventure fundraiser for the National Brain Tumor Foundation (Portland, Oregon)

Sept 9 – Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Central Park
(New York City, New York)

Sept 10 – 13th Annual Cancer Research Institute Golf Tournament (Jersey City, New Jersey)

Sept 10 – 4th Annual TBC Charity Golf Classic for the John Wayne Cancer Institute (Tustin Ranch Golf Club, California)

Sept 12 to 22 – Amazon Heart Thunder Ride for Breast Cancer
(Los Angeles to San Francisco, California)

Sept 15 – 5th Annual Gail Parkins Memorial Ovarian Awareness Walk to help the Duke Comprehensive Care Center (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Sept 22 – A Night with the San Francisco Giants benefiting the Dream Foundation (San Francisco, California)

Sept 28 – 2nd Annual Bag Ladies Luncheon for the Make-A-Wish Foundation (Winter Park, Florida)

Sept 29 & 30 – LIVESTRONG Challenge to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation (Portland, Oregon)

Source: The White House

Tags: charity; nonprofit organizations

Targeting Tumors Without Severe Side Effects Possible Say Sydney Scientists

Lisa — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:41:01 +0000

Nanotechnology is being used by an Australian team to build mini-cells which can specifically attack malignant cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue unaffected.

The new cells are about one-fifth the size of a normal cell and can release drugs directly into cancerous tumors. It is hoped that the new technique could be used to treat cancers in the breast, ovaries, colon and lungs while reducing or eliminating serious side effects such as hair loss, nausea and vomiting.

The research is being conducted by the Sydney-based biotechnology company EnGeneIC and is featured in the journal Cancer Cell.

Source: BBC News