Genomics Center leads ovarian cancer projects

The National Functional Genomics Center has launched a consortium that will undertake two projects: A biologically-driven analysis of ovarian cancer cell lines and a trial that uses molecular profiling to target chemotherapy.

The first project will profile ovarian cancer cells and ovarian cancer stem cells. The researchres will characterize gene expression, and oncogene activation of copy number and point mutations, in preclinical models. The group also will characterize platinum resistance and the interaction between ovarian cancer cells and the immune environment.

The NFGC is also funding a clinical trial in which molecular data from an individual woman’s ovarian cancer will be used to to select a chemotherapy regimen. The trial will be led by Johnathan Lancaster, MD, PhD, at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla.