Multidisciplinary Strategies in the Prevention and Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer
Abstract
This program project consists of 4 research projects. Project I studies genetic changes in microdissected microscopic Stage I ovarian cancer cells, and identify markers for early detection of the disease. Using state of the art technology, we have shown that different histological subtypes of ovarian cancer have different allelic loss profiles. Furthermore, we have also identified several candidate serum markers including prostasin, and GA733 autoantibody, which may be used as markers for early detection of ovarian cancer. Project II evaluates the use of Protease M as early diagnostic marker for ovarian cancer. We have shown that Protease M is secreted by ovarian cancer cells, and is highly expressed in ovarian tumors of different stages and subtypes. Project III studies the effect of hormones on growth and differentiation of normal ovarian surface epithelial cells, evaluate whether they contribute to ovarian carcinogenesis. We have established an in vitro system to evaluate the effect the various hormones on the growth of normal ovarian epithelial cells. We have shown that El, E2, and FSH can induce cell proliferation and enhance colony formation potential in soft agar. Project IV uses lysophospholipids (LPA) to develop a highly sensitive and specific marker for the early detection of ovarian cancer. Using the newly developed ESI-MS-based method, we have found that besides LPA, other lysophospholipids, including alkyl-LPA, alkenyl-LPA, LPI, SPC, and LPC are also elevated in ascites from patients with ovarian cancer. Receptors of SPC and LPC have also been identified.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA406315
Entities
People
- Samuel C. Mok
Organizations
- Brigham and Women's Hospital