NEWS / Mioca

Research Report from ASCO 2013

June 27 | 2013

The Alliance leadership recently attended the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, an event that annually gathers thousands of cancer researchers from around the world. Many new studies on or related to ovarian cancer were presented at this year’s meeting and were summarized by the Alliance. Read the <link href="http://www.ovariancancer.org/report-from-asco-2013-new-research-on-ovarian-cancer/">summary</link>&nbsp;here as well as some other relevant research presented at the meeting.

Supreme Court Strikes Down BRCA Gene Patents

June 13 | 2013

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on June 13 that private companies do not have the right to patent human genes, including those associated with an increased risk of ovarian and breast cancer - the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Many cancer advocates applauded the decision, in the hope it will allow for easier, less expensive access to genetic testing, and&nbsp; more research to be done on these genes.Read the <link href="http://www.ovariancancer.org/2013/06/13/press-release-ovarian-cancer-advocates-praise-supreme-court-decision-on-gene-patents/">statement from the Alliance</link>.Read the <link href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/us/supreme-court-rules-human-genes-may-not-be-patented.html?_r=0">New York Times story</link>. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on June 13 that private companies do not have the right to patent human genes, including those associated with an increased risk of ovarian and breast cancer - the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Many cancer advocates applauded the decision, in the hope it will allow for easier, less expensive access to genetic testing, and&nbsp; more research to be done on these genes. Read the <link href="http://www.ovariancancer.org/2013/06/13/press-release-ovarian-cancer-advocates-praise-supreme-court-decision-on-gene-patents/">statement from the Alliance</link>. Read the <link href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/us/supreme-court-rules-human-genes-may-not-be-patented.html?_r=0">New York Times story</link>.

International Study Discovers New Genetic Markers for Cancer

April 11 | 2013

A collaboration of more than 130 institutions analyzing data from more than 200,000 people revealed new genetic markers for breast, prostate and ovarian cancer.

Society of Gynecologic Oncology 2013 Annual Meeting

April 11 | 2013

At this year’s SGO Annual Meeting numerous presentations explored issues related to ovarian cancer. The Alliance summarized some of them, with topics including diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, prognosis and more, in a <link href="http://www.ovariancancer.org/2013/04/02/report-from-the-society-of-gynecologic-oncology-2013-annual-meeting/">report here.</link>&nbsp;

The New York Times reports on study finding inadequate care for ovarian cancer

March 13 | 2013

The<emphasize>&nbsp;New York Times</emphasize>&nbsp;reported on a study presented at the 2013 meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists that found most women with ovarian cancer do not receive adequate care or treatment. This study, from the University of California, Irvine, found women are more likely to get optimal care when treated at a medical center that handles a high volume of ovarian cancer cases.

Possible Link Between High Blood Calcium Levels and Ovarian Cancer

January 24 | 2013

The Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center reports that high blood calcium levels might predict ovarian cancer. The study found, “women who were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer and women who later died of ovarian cancer had higher levels of calcium in blood than women who did not before their cancer diagnosis.”<link href="http://www.wakehealth.edu/News-Releases/2013/Study_Shows_High_Blood_Calcium_Levels_May_Indicate_Ovarian_Cancer.htm">Read report here.</link> The Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center reports that high blood calcium levels might predict ovarian cancer. The study found, “women who were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer and women who later died of ovarian cancer had higher levels of calcium in blood than women who did not before their cancer diagnosis.” <link href="http://www.wakehealth.edu/News-Releases/2013/Study_Shows_High_Blood_Calcium_Levels_May_Indicate_Ovarian_Cancer.htm">Read report here.</link>

Pap Test Might Detect Ovarian Cancer

January 11 | 2013

Researchers at Johns Hopkins showed that examining cervical cells can help identify ovarian and uterine cancers. In a recent small study of 46 women, DNA analysis detected 41% of ovarian cancer cases.<link href="http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/johns_hopkins_scientists_use_pap_test_fluid_to_detect_ovarian_endometrial_cancers">Read study here.</link> Researchers at Johns Hopkins showed that examining cervical cells can help identify ovarian and uterine cancers. In a recent small study of 46 women, DNA analysis detected 41% of ovarian cancer cases. <link href="http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/johns_hopkins_scientists_use_pap_test_fluid_to_detect_ovarian_endometrial_cancers">Read study here.</link>

Metformin may increase ovarian cancer survival

December 21 | 2012

A retrospective, case-control study at Mayo Clinic, found the diabetes drug metformin may increase survival in women with ovarian cancer. It reported that ovarian cancer patients with diabetes taking metformin during treatment had a 4 times greater 5-year survival rate, compared to non-diabetic ovarian cancer patients not taking the drug. <link href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22183212">Abstract here</link>.

Supreme Court to hear case against BRCA1 & BRCA2 patents

December 05 | 2012

The Supreme Court will hear arguments challenging the patents of 2 genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer - the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations, which are currently owned by Myriad Laboratories. The lawsuit charges the patents stifle diagnostic testing and research that could lead to cures and limit a woman’s medical options. The Alliance has joined the suit; the ACLU and Public Patent Foundation first filed it in 2009.

Tell Congress to prevent harmful cuts to ovarian cancer programs

November 30 | 2012

If Congress does not act soon, we will see across-the-board cuts to programs that are crucial to fighting ovarian cancer. These automatic cuts, called sequestration, will decimate programs that play an essential role in research to fight and prevent ovarian cancer. Read more about what you can do.

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