Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA) Awards more than $286,000 in grants in 2009 For Ovarian Cancer Research in Minnesota

Minneapolis -- Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA) has awarded $286,000 in grants for research projects on ovarian cancer.

“MOCA plays a special role in supporting ovarian cancer research in Minnesota,” said Executive Director Kathleen Gavin, “We bring together survivors, families and other supporters with researchers and research institutions to stimulate research in the state and to ensure that researchers and institutions are responsive to the needs of survivors.”

“This year, we had an especially exciting group of proposals, but we had less funding to grant than in previous years. It is our hope that the community will continue to support MOCA so we are able to provide seed money for new ideas and support for researchers in the field of ovarian cancer research.”

This years research grant awards are as follows:

Keith L. Knutson, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Immunology
Lavakumar Karyampudi, Ph.D. Research Associate
Department of Immunology Mayo Clinic
Research Project
Blockade of PD-1 During Vaccination Against Ovarian Cancer
$72,368

Peter Argenta, M.D. Assistant Professor
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health University of Minnesota
Research Project
Characterizing the Effects of Sulfatase Inhibition on Ovarian Cancer in Vitro and in Vivo
$89,916

Carol A. Lange, Ph.D. Associate Professor
Department of Medicine and Pharmacology University of Minnesota Cancer Center
Research Project
Defining the Nuclear Progesterone Receptor as an Anti-Proliferative, Pro-Apoptotic Tumor Suppressor of Ovarian Cancer
$63,000

“I think the availability of these MOCA grant dollars, as well as the very rapid review of proposals and distribution of funds to investigators who are new to the field, has allowed us to easily move into the field of ovarian cancer research. It is as if a barrier to this type of research has been lifted, and we are now free to explore the role of steroid hormones and their receptors in ovarian cancer.” Carol Lange Ph.D.

Patricia L. Judson, M.D. Associate Professor
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health University of Minnesota
Research Project
Pilot Study of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Utilizing Carboplatin in First Recurrence Ovarian Cancer
$60,770

“The individuals in the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance have great personal insight into the overwhelming effects of ovarian cancer. They understand that novel treatment strategies are required to achieve appreciable advancements in the survival of women with recurrent ovarian cancer. This award is particularly significant, as we recognize MOCA’s dedication to the advancement of ovarian cancer research. We are privileged that they have chosen to fund our research.” Patricia L. Judson, MD, Joseph Ivy, MD, and Todd Tuttle, MD

MOCA’s research program began in 2001 with $91,000 in funding and has grown each year. The addition of $286,000 in grants for 2009 brings the total awards given by MOCA, in nine years, to more than $2.3 million. Grants are awarded for ovarian cancer research projects conducted in the state of Minnesota that support better treatment, diagnosis and a cure. Findings from MOCA funded grants have been published in peer review journals and presented at conferences throughout the country.

Grant award recipients will present their research projects at MOCA’s Annual Meeting on May 7th at the Ridgedale Library in Minnetonka.

Celebrating our 10th Anniversary, MOCA was founded in 1999 by a small group of ovarian cancer survivors. MOCA has grown from a group of 9 women to an organization of more than 750 survivors and over 32,000 donors and active members. MOCA is a Minnesota based nonprofit organization that is dedicated to raising awareness and funding the research needed to detect ovarian cancer early and treat it properly. In just nine years, MOCA has raised more than $2.3 million for ovarian cancer research in Minnesota.