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 2004, MOCA funded $275,000 to four medical research projects. A summary of this research is listed below.
Research Title |
2004 Approved Researcher and Institution |
Amount Funded |
Functional Significance of Insulin Receptor Isoform A Expression In Ovarian Epithelial Cancer |
Submitted by Kimberly R. Kalli, Ph.D., Endocrine Research Unit, Women's Cancer Program, Mayo Clinic |
$48,839 |
The Regulation of the Pro-Apoptotic Bcl2 Family Bok in Ovarian Carcinoma |
Submitted by Ameeta, Kelekar, Ph.D., Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Cancer Center |
$50,000 |
Modulation of Growth Factor Signaling by Hsulf-1: Implications on Ovarian Cancer Cell Survival and Chemo-resistance |
Submitted by Viji Shirdhar, Ph.D., Department of Experimental Pathology, Women’s Cancer Program, Mayo Clinic and Foundation |
$78,661 |
Diagnostic Markers for Ovarian Cancer: Detection of Novel Cell Adhesion Proteins in Patients' Specimens |
Submitted by Amy Skubitz, Ph.D., Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota |
$97,500 |
Total Funded for 2004 Research |
|
$275,000 |
“Functional Significance of Insulin Receptor Isoform A Expression In Ovarian Epithelial Cancer” submitted by Kimberly R. Kalli, Ph.D., Endocrine Research Unit, Women’s Cancer Program, Mayo Clinic. Dollars Funded - $48,839
While many ongoing studies attempt to identify the genetic changes present in ovarian cancer cells, more effort is needed in determining the functional significance of these changes. This information is required in order to select the most promising targets for new antioneoplastic therapies. Both treatment efficacy and reduction of adverse side effects would be aided by selection of tumor-specific proteins as targets. Recent findings about the insulin receptor may provide a unique opportunity for tumor-specific therapies. InsR-A is expressed at high levels in malignant ovarian cells. This study seeks to define its role in ovarian cancer with the potential aim of developing a therapy to inhibit InsR-A signaling that may impact cell proliferation, survival, and transformation.
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“The Regulation of the Pro-Apoptotic Bcl2 Family Bok in Ovarian Carcinoma” submitted by Ameeta Kelekar, Ph.D., Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Cancer Center. Dollars Funded - $50,000
The proposed research is based on the hypothesis that Bcl-2 family protein, Bok, is important for the survival and death of ovarian cells, and defects in its regulation may underlie both tumorigensis and the resistance to drugs associated with ovarian cancer. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the regulation of the Bok protein in ovarian cells and carcinomas.
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“Modulation of Growth Factor Signaling by Hsulf-1: Implications on Ovarian Cancer Cell Survival and Chemoresistance” submitted by Viji Shirdhar, Ph.D., Department of Experimental Pathology, Women’s Cancer Program, Mayo Clinic and Foundation. Dollars Funded - $78,661
Hsulf-1,an amino acid polypeptide, is decreased to less than 20% of normal levels in ovarian cancers and is undetectable in clear cell cancers, a particularly resistant subtype. Its downregulation appears to represent a mechanism by which ovarian cancer cells enhance growth factor signaling and diminished apoptosis (programmed cell death). The proposed research will define the role of Hsulf-1 downregulation in ovarian cancer and initiate a search for agents that might reverse such effects. If successful, the experiments will characterize a novel mechanism of drug resistance in cancer.
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“Diagnostic Markers for Ovarian Cancer: Detection of Novel Cell Adhesion Proteins in Patients’ Specimens” submitted by Amy Skubitz, Ph.D., Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota. Dollars Funded - $ $97,500
The study focuses on cell adhesion molecules present on the surface of ovarian cancer cells that appear to be unique to ovarian carcinoma. Once shed, these molecules will be present in the ascites fluid of the patient or will make their way into the bloodstream of the women. The study hypothesizes that some of these molecules are specifically expressed by ovarian carcinoma cells, but not expressed by normal or cancerous tissues. It is these molecules, used alone or in conjunction with CA-125, that can be used to develop a sensitive and specific diagnosis assay for the early detection and recurrence of ovarian carcinoma.
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