'Suicide' gene offers hope of targeted ovarian cancer treatment

A Study has developed a cancer treatment that uses a 'suicide' gene to fight ovarian cancer that is advanced and has recurred after radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Using a nanoparticle to deliver the DNA-encoding diphtheria toxin to the site of the tumour in mice, scientists found the cancer was less likely to grow.

Letroxole

Doctors have made the first breakthrough in the treatment of ovarian cancer in 20 years by proving that a common breast cancer drug can significantly cut relapse rates. Tests using an anti-oestrogen drug on a small group of 44 patients extended some of their lives by up to three years and delayed the use of painful chemotherapy for others. If larger trials repeat the findings it will be the first new therapy since the 1980s for a cancer which is often deadly because early diagnosis is so difficult.

John Smyth, professor of medical oncology at the University of Edinburgh, said: "This is a landmark. Despite intense scientific research over the past 20 years, there have been few new leads in our understanding of how this disease operates. But this study suggests that the addition of hormone therapy to our treatment strategy could extend and improve the lives of women with cancer."

Previous studies had all but written off Letroxole as a potential treatment because its impact was too small. But this study carefully selected women whose cancers were the most sensitive to oestrogen.

read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/jun/15/health.cancer

Gene to halt ovarian cancer found

A gene that may have the power to halt ovarian cancer has been discovered by UK scientists.

The gene, called OPCML, was found to be inactivated in 90 per cent of ovarian cancers examined by researchers. But when the fully activated gene was inserted into ovarian cancer cells in the lab, the growth of the tumour cells was stopped.

OPCML is a tumour suppressor gene which is switched on in normal cells. It produces proteins that help protect against the uncontrolled cell growth that causes cancer.


read more at http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3859-gene-to-halt-ovarian-cancer-found.html

Which treatment for ovarian cancer?

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are all used to treat cancer of the ovary. You are most likely to be treated by a team of specialists working together. This will include a surgeon (gynaecologist) and a cancer specialist (oncologist). If you have only seen a surgeon, you should ask to be seen by an oncologist before your treatment plan is finalised.

read more at http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=3084

Ovarian Cancer links

Introduction to Gynecologic Oncology
Excellent collection of informative articles by Dr William M Rich MD.
Ovarian Cancer Links
A collection of online resources for women with ovarian cancer and their support providers. It categorizes specific interests of the ovarian patient and sends them to relevant sites. Categories include: Ovarian cancer overviews, chemotherapy and treatment, health and cancer databases, support, nutrition, legal/finance/insurance, media resources, building a medical team, alternative therapies, free publications, and more.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer. NEW CASES: An estimated 26,700 new cases in the United States in 1996. It accounts for 4% of all cancers among women. DEATHS: An estimated...
Uterus (Cervix) Cancer
Short information page on Uterus Cancer. Part of the American Cancer Society pages.
Gynecologic Oncology Server
The Gynecologic Oncology Server at the University of Washington. Tutorials, References & other Links.
Ovarian Cancer Archives
Full archives of the Ovarian Cancer mailing list.