Grants & Research

Meet Marsha Rivkin Researchers Funded in 2007

Pilot Studies

Shu-Wing Ng, PhD, BSc
Harvard / Brigham and Women's Hospital
Characterization of lipid metabolic enzymes in ovarian cancer

This study will confirm the expression and activity of two important enzymes and investigate the effects of inhibiting these enzymes. The results will provide information regarding their role in ovarian cancer and have an impact on screening, surveillance and treatment strategies for patients.

Jill Slack-Davis, PhD
University of Virginia
Role of VCAM-1 in an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer metastasis

It is believed that the vascular cell adhension molecule-1 (VCAM-1) aids in the adhesion and spreading of ovarian cancer in the abdomen and beyond. By defining the role of VCAM-1, this work could lead to a target for treatment possibilities.

Hong Zhang, PhD
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Regulated exocytosis and gamma synuclein in ovarian cancer: a biomarker of disease

γ synuclein (gamma synuclein) is a protein that may shuttle other proteins which promote the growth and spread of cancer. This study will identify these protein promoters and assess whether γ synuclein could be used in screening.

Fang-Tsyr Lin, MD, PhD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Role of TRIP6 in Ovarian Cancer Progression

TRIP6 is a novel molecule that helps make cancer cells immortal, thus allowing cancer to grow uncontrolled. This study will determine if silencing TRIP6 can increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Patricia Kruk, PhD
University of South Florida
Elevated Urinary Bcl-2 in Ovarian Cancer

This study seeks to determine whether a simple urine test for a protein called Bcl-2 may serve as a new biomarker for detection of ovarian cancer.

Victor Levenson, MD, PhD
Northwestern University
A Composite DNA Methylation Biomarker For Ovarian Cancer Detection

This study seeks to find a blood-based DNA pattern (as opposed to a single specific target) that could be used to detect ovarian cancer early.

* Babs Fisher Pilot Study Recipient

Zhiyong Ding, PhD
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Identification of novel interaction partners of p110 and p85 in ovarian cancer cells

Ovarian cancer, like all cancer, is a disease of gene malfunctions. This study will look at a gene known to control cancer cells (PIK3CA) and the proteins it interacts with. These proteins hold potential for being therapy targets for treating ovarian cancer.

Cassian Yee, MD
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Cellular Adoptive Immunotherapy in Treating Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Ovarian Cancer

Dr. Yee is studying a new technique to treat women with late stage ovarian cancer. T cells are collected from patients and responder cells are enhanced. These are given back to the patient, where the patient's immune system should recognize these cells and use them to fight the cancer.

Mary Zhang, PhD
University of South Florida
Role of HDAC6 and its novel substrate cortactin in ovarian cancer cell motility

HDACs are a group of enzymes that regulate cell growth and migration, and hence are likely involved with the metastases of ovarian cancer. This study will examine the role between these enzymes and the molecular events of cancer spread and growth, which could lead to more effective therapy.

Lainie Martin, MD
Fox Chase Cancer Center
A pilot study to evaluate the role of STAT3 in angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation and survival in ovarian cancer

This study will look at a family of genes (STAT3) and their impact on the process of cell death. With a greater understanding the role of STAT3, researchers hope to improve bevacizumab, a known therapy for ovarian cancer.

Early Detection & Screening

Our program ensures hundreds of high-risk women in Washington State and the Seattle area will receive screening for ovarian cancer, at no cost to the participant. This program will be the first in the nation to validate newly discovered blood markers, combined with conventional markers. The new blood markers, HE4 and mesothelin, were discovered in Seattle with the support of the Marsha Rivkin Center.