The Role of Cytomegalovirus and Inflammation on Patient Symptoms and Outcomes in Ovarian Cancer
Abstract
The central research idea for this proposed project is that cytomegalovirus (CMV) may be an unrecognized complicating factor in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Over 50% of the U.S. population has been infected with CMV by age 40. Once infected, it stays in a person’s body for life and can reactivate. CMV infection and reactivation can result in inflammation. Increased inflammation has been shown to be related to ovarian cancer recurrence and survival. Further, one study in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer found that higher CMV levels were associated with greater fatigue. However, to date, little work has been done to show whether CMV infection can predict cancer outcomes. If CMV reactivation is associated with patient symptoms and/or cancer prognosis, antiviral therapy for CMV infection is available for immediate use in a clinical trial. Before these trials can be conducted, we need to establish a connection between CMV and both patient symptoms and clinical outcomes. To accomplish this, we will recruit ovarian cancer patients into studies to collect blood samples along with clinical outcomes and self-reported symptoms. My long-term career goal is to establish a nationally recognized research program in ovarian cancer that optimizes survivors’ quality of life and survival. My training as a cancer epidemiologist, quantitative skill set, and research experience, in addition to a strong interdisciplinary mentorship team and research environment, provide an opportunity to establish a unique cancer research program. The proposed innovative study was developed to answer not only the current hypotheses, but to create a data and sample repository to facilitate sustained productivity. The proposed study will identify survivorship concerns and build infrastructure for collaborations with other cancer researchers. Ultimately, my vision is to address the concerns we identify by subsequently designing and testing interventions to improve patient outcomes. The prevalence of CMV, its association with cancer mortality, its potential impact on patient symptoms, and readily available treatment that could immediately be tested in a subsequent clinical trial suggest the proposed work has the potential for high and timely patient impact. The results of these studies may change the way we treat not only women with ovarian cancer, but others affected by cancer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 16, 2019
- Source ID
- W81XWH1910013
Entities
People
- Rachel Vogel
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Minnesota