Role of Syndecans in Ovarian Cancer: New Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers and Potential Therapeutic Targets   https://tinyurl.com/3shyjm5r          Ovarian cancer is complex; an important feature in the onset and progress of this is the environment. As part of the environment, the extra cellular matrix is key in determining the onset of cancer, the adhesion of cells, metastasis and survival.        The matrix is formed of large structural glycoproteins such as collagen. Syndecans, subsets of glycoproteins are overexpressed in ovarian cancer. Glycoproteins consist of carbohydrate and protein; they have many functions being important as structural support and also in cell-cell interactions including immunity.        The overexpression of Syndecans in ovarian cancer suggests a possible role in determining prognosis and also as a screening test. Targeted therapy to inhibit ...

Asco 2023 – a role for immuno-oncology in ovarian cancer at last? https://tinyurl.com/2bfe7tyf          Every now and then a new drug combination for the treatment of ovarian cancer is announced as the next best thing. Interim results from the Duo-O trial presented at the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology suggest that the addition of immunotherapy to standard chemo for ovarian cancer improves progression free survival (PFS).         Previously the use of immunotherapy, which entails antibody inhibition of checkpoints to the normal immune response, has not been seen to be effective. The Duo trial, which includes the monoclonal antibody Durvalumab together with various cocktails of standard chemo including PARP inhibitors, suggests that PFS is increased for women with ovarian cancer who are not BRCA+ve.        Unfortunately it is too soon to know whether this relat...

Functional neuronal circuits promote disease progression in cancer   https://tinyurl.com/3v9swn2w            Ovarian cancer is complex. With more information being available through greater access to genetic typing of cancer it is possible to quickly extend basic science findings in animal models to real human disease.          An example of this is shown with this article, which demonstrates the changes in nerve connections to cancer. Little is known of the significance of the presence of neural tissue in cancer. Using a mouse breast cancer model, electrical activity via nerve transmission has been detected in cancer tissue and a chemical marker (Substance P) shown at nerve junctions. This marker promotes tumour growth and metastasis.          Previous information had shown a genetic signature associated with nerve infiltration into cancer tis...