OCRA - Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer death in the United States, responsible for over 22,000 cases per year and over 14,000 deaths. The most common type of ovarian cancer is High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSOC). Unfortunately, few therapeutic advances for HGSOC have been forthcoming, and the cornerstone of treatment remains chemotherapy and surgery. Identifying therapeutic targets for this disease represents an urgent medical need.

The genomics revolution has yielded personalized treatments for many cancers which are driven by mutated proteins. But HGSOC seems to lack mutations in DNA regions that code for cancer-promoting genes, and so is not amenable to this scientific or therapeutic approach. Rather, HGSOC seems to be driven by dysfunctional gene expression. In cancer, incorrect gene expression is often mediated by regulatory genetic elements called super-enhancers, which we can detect with novel whole genome technologies.

This project aims to map the super-enhancer landscape in human HGSOC tissue samples, and well as normal cells-of-origin, and tumor cell line models. This approach will yield fundamental insights into the mechanisms by which normal cells transform into ovarian cancer cells, and reveal the genes that maintain the oncogenic state in this disease.

Genetic dependencies are genes required for survival or growth of tumor cells, and represent attractive targets for cancer drug development. Super-enhancers are known to mark genes that are dependencies in several tumors. In cancers such as ependymoma and medulloblastoma, super-enhancer analysis has already pointed to novel therapeutic opportunities. Thus, by mapping the super-enhancer landscape of HGSOC, we will uncover putative therapeutic targets, which can be rapidly feed clinical trial development for patients.

From Dr. Isaac Klein, physician-scientist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Whitehead Institute of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology…

”My work is generously funded by the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. Sarah, from OCRA, recently contacted me with the news that you, and the organization Rock ‘N Run, made a wonderful donation to the Alliance, and asked for those funded to be directed to my work. I could not be more grateful for your support, and vote of confidence, in asking that these funds go toward my research. Many thanks. Hopefully together, we can make a real impact on the lives of women with ovarian cancer.”

This grant is made possible in part by a generous donation from Rock ‘N Run. 

FORCE -
Facing our Risk of Cancer Empowered

In the last six years Rock N Run has generously donated over $26,000 to FORCE.  Realizing their focus is on breast and ovarian cancers you can let them know that their support of our mission has helped us achieve great outcomes in those two areas of concern.  I am attaching a document that shares some accomplishments we have been able to achieve since their last donation of $5,000 in December of 2018.  Specifically, since their last gift, we would like to share with the Rock N Run team that with their help:

·         In the last six months, through our Peer Navigation Program (PNP) we have provided one-on-one support to over 600 individuals who are facing an increased risk of hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer.  This program provides personalized information and resources that might otherwise take participants weeks or months to find on their own so they can focus on what really matters – making decisions about their health with their healthcare provider and their families.

·         In conjunction with our XRAYS Program that translates breast cancer research into language that is clear and accessible, we recently launched a new survey on the use of digital media about breast cancer by young women and have already received almost 500 responses.  This survey will help us better understand where young women with breast cancer or at risk for breast cancer turn for information to help them make health care decisions and to learn about the unmet information needs of these women.

·         We have also just launched our new and improved message boards. Our new boards give individuals affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer a place to connect with others who share their situation, gene mutation, or diagnosis. They can find referrals to experts, get support, and gather tips and resources from peers.  A valuable resource for the hereditary cancer community.

Those are some of the exciting projects going on at FORCE.  All of what we do is only possible through the generous and loyal support of individuals like those who conduct the Rock ‘N Run event.  Please pass on our sincere thanks to everyone involved with this great event.

Cancer Link is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to finding an ultimate cure for breast cancer through research, spreading breast cancer awareness through education, improving the quality of treatment for those suffering from the disease, and growing and fostering the community outreach at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Sharsheret is a national not-for-profit organization supporting Jewish women and families facing breast and ovarian cancer. All programs are free and confidential. Sharsheret’s team of skilled, trained social workers and a genetic counselor provide direct support services to more than 3,500 women and family members. Sharsheret’s team of community educators and outreach professionals develop and present more than 300 life-saving education and outreach events annuals and resources for 150,000+ women and men.

our partners

yodeah

Ashkenazi Jewish men and women are disproportionately more likely to carry hereditary genetic mutations that can markedly increase their lifetime risk of cancer. Most people are not aware, and most will not have a family history. Yodeah’s mission is to educate and facilitate cost-effective testing for hereditary cancer genetic mutations in the Jewish community. Yodeah’s goal is to save lives. Knowledge is power. Knowledge saves lives.