Letter from the CEO
Scientists and researchers, not unlike mountain climbers, are on a quest for exploration that leads to discovery. They set out to find the new, to identify markers to serve as guides for others to follow. And so it is in cancer research. Several of the experts featured in the December issue of The Teal Journal mentioned the importance of research being done by a group led by Dr. David Huntsman. We have included an executive summary of Dr. Huntsman’s paper (New England Journal... Read More
Ask the Expert
Robert L. Coleman, MD, FACOG, FACS Professor, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Vice Chair, Clinical Research, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Q. Oncologists are beginning to recognize that one treatment may not work for all patients with ovarian cancer. How do I find out which treatments work for me and whether there are new treatments I should consider? A. While we do not have validated tools to determine if a particular tumor... Read More
Updates from SGO
In early March, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists convened in Orlando, Florida, for the 14th Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer. The SGO Annual Meeting gathers gynecologic oncologists, obstetrician/gynecologists, nurses, scientists, health care professionals, pharmaceutical and device company representatives and others involved in the care of patients with gynecologic malignancies. More than 1,800 members and guests were in attendance at the meeting in Orlando, including... Read More
Study Identifies Gene Mutation That May Signal Development of Ovarian Cancer
A recent study suggests that changes to a particular gene may signal the beginning states of ovarian cancer. Cancer is often a disease of genetic abnormalities—cells refuse to die, proliferate or spread in ways that are due to mutations in the cell’s genetic makeup. Recent research by a multidisciplinary group of researchers led by David Huntsman, MD, has identified mutations to the ARID1A gene that contribute to the formation of cancerous cells. Dr. Huntsman’s research... Read More
Report from Capitol Hill: Can Legislation Make Complex Drugs More Affordable?
Cara Tenenbaum, Vice President for Policy and External Affairs Biologics—complex medications often developed from proteins, cells or tissue—are one of the newest advances in medical treatment. Biologics have already been developed to treat conditions like anemia and some cancers, and more are expected to reach the market in the coming years. These drugs offer enormous promise to cancer patients—but there is a high cost and complexity attached to their development. Like all... Read More
