Each year, MOCA funds research which advances the treatments and cure for ovarian cancer. All of the money dedicated to research stays in the state of Minnesota. In 2002, MOCA funded $130,748 to four medical research projects. A summary of this research is listed below.
Research Title |
2002 Approved Researcher and Institution |
Amount Funded |
Continuous Ambulatory Infusion of Docetaxel: Anti-Angiogenic Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer |
Submitted by Levi S. Downs, Jr., M.D., Department of Women’s Health, University of Minnesota
|
$50,000 |
Evaluation of Risk Factors Leading to Ovarian Cancer Metastasis at Laparoscopic Surgical Wound Sites |
Submitted by Rahel Ghebre, M.D., Department of Women’s Health, University of Minnesota
|
$11,000 |
The Use of a Spiritual Intervention to Enhance Mood States, Spiritual Well-Being and Quality of Life in Women with Ovarian Cancer |
Chaplain Mary E. Johnson, MA, Mayo Clinic |
$19,748 |
PARK2, A Mutational Target in Ovarian Cancer |
David I. Smith, Ph.D., Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic
|
$50,000 |
Total Funded for 2002 Research |
|
$130,748 |
“Continuous Ambulatory Infusion of Docetaxel: Anti-Angiogenic Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer" s ubmitted by Levi S. Downs, Jr., M.D., University of Minnesota. Dollars funded $50,000.
The central hypothesis of this study is that continuous infusion of very low dose chemotherapy can be administered without significant toxicity while inhibiting tumor growth and enhancing patient quality of life. In the Phase I study, women with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer will receive continuous infusion of docetaxel through a micro-infusion medication system. It is postulated that inhibition of tumor growth will be more profound in a continuous infusion model than in the traditional maximum tolerated dose model.
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“Evaluation of Risk Factors Leading to Ovarian Cancer Metastasis at Laparoscopic Surgical Wound Sites” submitted by Rahel Ghebre, M.D., University of Minnesota. Dollars Funded $11,000.
Laparoscopic procedures have been introduced in the diagnosis and management of patients with known malignancy. Unfortunately, tumor metastases at the port-site have been documented in ovarian cancer. A specific aim, using laboratory mice, is to evaluate the presence of growth factors present in laparoscopic vs. laparotomy surgical wounds and to decrease tumor recurrence at laparoscopic wound sites.
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“The Use of a Spiritual Intervention to Enhance Mood States, Spiritual Well-Being and Quality of Life in Women with Ovarian Cancer” submitted by Chaplain Mary E. Johnson, MA, Mayo Clinic. Dollars funded $19,748.
This pilot study will examine the effect of a spiritual intervention - centering prayer, a silent focused style of contemplative prayer - on mood status, spiritual well being and quality of life in women with recurrent ovarian cancer. Women receiving the intervention will be compared to a group of women receiving standard medical care on measures of mood, spiritual well-being and quality of live. A spiritual intervention with proven effectiveness that is transportable would be a potentially valuable coping resource for many patients.
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“PARK2, A Mutational Target in Ovarian Cancer” submitted by David I. Smith, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic. Dollars funded $50,000.
Emerging evidence from the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center suggests that the large common fragile site gene PARK2 may play a role in the phenotype and/or the development of ovarian epithelial cancer. The study will analyze PARK2 alterations to determine at what point during ovarian cancer development these alterations may occur. The study will also examine the relationship between alterations in PARK2 and the resulting clinical phenotype of the ovarian tumor specimens.
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