May 8th is World Ovarian Cancer Day, a global campaign to raise awareness about one of the deadliest gynecological cancers. At the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) Prof. Yorijo Yamanaka and his team have dedicated their research efforts to improving outcomes for ovarian cancer patients. We highlight their developmental biology-based approach to understanding this disease, as well as their recent publication on how age drives ovarian cancer risk.
Understanding the Origins of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer poses a significant challenge in oncology, as it often goes undetected until it reaches advanced stages and is highly resistant to existing treatments. Research in the Yamanaka lab centers on understanding the early development of epithelial cells and the female reproductive tract – tissues from which ovarian cancer arises. By improving our understanding of ovarian cancer origins, they aim to develop novel diagnostic tools for early detection and targeted therapies for the most common type of ovarian cancer: high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC).
Developmental Biology, Genetic Risk, and a Personal Connection
Dr. Dardan Konjusha, a postdoctoral fellow in the Yamanaka lab, explained how the lab’s developmental biology approach informs its cancer research: “There are a lot of similarities between development and cancer, and I think cancer research would benefit from more people with a developmental background. I don’t think we can fully understand what goes wrong in a tissue without knowing how it is made in the first place.”
Dr. Konjusha’s research investigates how mutations in a gene called FANCI, prevalent in the French-Canadian population descended from 17th century French immigrants to Québec, can affect cellular stress responses and increase susceptibility to ovarian cancer. His interest in inherited cancer risk is also deeply personal: “I have lost several extended family members to colorectal cancers, the youngest being my cousin Ideal. He was only 24 years old when he passed, indicating a hereditary component, which we all know is a key factor in many types of cancer, especially ovarian and breast cancer.”
New Findings on Age-Associated Ovarian Cancer Risk
In a recent publication from the Yamanaka lab in the journal Aging Cell, researchers describe aging related changes that occur in the oviduct and Fallopian tubes of the female reproductive tract. They found that a decline in blood flow to these organs, which occurs with aging, creates a chronically stressful microenvironment for cells. Their findings suggest that this cellular stress could contribute to age-associated vulnerability to high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. These insights shed light on a critical link between aging and ovarian cancer risk, offering a new perspective on how age-related changes in the reproductive tract may create conditions that foster cancer development.
A Path Toward Better Outcomes for Ovarian Cancer Patients
On World Ovarian Cancer Day, the work of the Yamanaka lab exemplifies how foundational research not only advances our understanding of ovarian cancer but also brings hope for more effective diagnostics and treatments. By uncovering how developmental processes, inherited risk factors, and aging contribute to ovarian cancer, their research is paving the way to the #knowledgetocure.
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