Highlights

Research Highlights showcases some of the projects AOCS has been involved in. They show how important it is to secure funding, continue to search for better outcomes for women and make a real impact.

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  Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science
             

  The Australian Academy of Science is a Fellowship of the nation’s most distinguished scientists, elected by their peers for outstanding contribution to science and scientific research.Our Principal Investigator David Bowtell has recently been elected as a Fellow.

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  Long term Survivors of Ovarian Cancer -
  Super Responders

  AOCS recruited women from 2002 to 2006 with ovarian cancer and we have been collecting clinical information on their journey ever since - that's over 10 years of data! Those participants who have survived with aggressive forms of the disease are of particular interest to researchers as they test genes they suspect play a part in exceptional response.

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  New Genetic Variants
             

  A team of international researchers, including those from AOCS, led by Prof Georgia Chevenix-Trench, has identified 12 new genetic variants that increase a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer. With almost 1,600 Australian women estimated to be newly diagnosed in 2017, the findings offer critical clues about the "wiring" of various complex ovarian cancer types and which women are most (and least) at risk.

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  OASIS - Ovarian Cancer Alliance for
  Signal Seeking Research

  A significant new initiative for ANZGOG is OASIS, a powerful collaborative effort of internationally-recognised laboratory and clinical researchers, patients and advocates brought together to advance innovative, targeted clinical trials for defined subsets of ovarian cancer patients. This Ovarian cancer Alliance for SIgnal-Seeking clinical trials brings together the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study, ANZGOG and Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA). Philanthropic and other grant funding will enable a series of studies over the next few years.

Familial Cancer Guidelines



BRCA mutation status has a major influence on survival in ovarian cancer patients and genetic testing for BRCA1/2 mutation status has the potential to offer multiple benefits. AOCS Researcher Kath Alsop’s PhD work led to a recommendation that germ-line BRCA1/2 testing should be offered to all women diagnosed with non-mucinous ovarian carcinoma, regardless of family history.

This research was reported in the Herald Sun and mentioned here

 

 

 

 

 

Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer



AOCS Scientists have been key in new research into the interaction between genes and chemotherapy will help maximise the effect of treatment in the future.

The study was led by Professor Bowtell, in collaboration with Professors Sean Grimmond, Anna deFazio, and researchers and clinicians throughout Australia, the US and UK. The work was published in Nature, and reveals new insights into the genetic mechanisms ovarian cancer employs to evade chemotherapy drugs. Researchers and clinicians now have a better understanding of why high grade serous ovarian cancer so often returns after chemotherapy treatment. This knowledge can now be used to inform the development of new treatments aimed at improving the survival rates of women with this cancer.

"Each of our findings suggest a refined approach to drug selection in recurrent ovarian cancer, which could include bypassing drugs that are unlikely to be effective." said Professor Bowtell.

"This particular view of such a complex disease has never been seen before, and we believe it will lead to more women receiving treatment better suited to their particular cancer, all over the world." said Professor deFazio.

"The research team is incredibly appreciative of the many women who allowed their samples to be collected so that we can find out what happens to the cancer cells after treatment and will allow us to work towards better treatments for women in the future." said Dr Patch, co-first author of the Nature paper.

Interested in exploring this more? Try University of Queensland's article, or the ABC's radio transcript or news article

You can watch the news story on YouTube

 

 

Olaparib
           



 

AOCS and AOCSII have the opportunity to identify patient populations within their resource and their response to conventional and new agents such as PARP inhibitors, like Olaparib (Lynparza). AOCS II will contribute to investigations into the underlying mechanisms of treatment response, including genomic, genetic and epidemiological characteristics.