Cell-free ascites from ovarian cancer patients induces Warburg metabolism and cell proliferation through TGFβ-ERK  signalling https://shorturl.at/dorF6 Ascites is  part and parcel  of ovarian cancer. It is known that ascites or free fluid in the abdomen is a negative  indicator for survival  warranting  a suffix “C” to any  stagi ng. Previously it has been thought that the cellular  component  of ascites was the problem, with metastasis due to implantation of cells . This article  demonstrates that the fluid alone is detrimental. In the presence of ascites, ovarian cancer cells show increased aggression  seemingly due  to metabolic change  and increased cytokine activity. Interestingly this is true only for acidic ascites, alkaline ascites appears to be protective. Once again, some basic science suggests an alternative pathway to ovarian cancer treatment.

Post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms in women with Ovarian Cancer 3- 6 Months after diagnosis http://tinyurl.com/y78ekkxk Whether cancer causes PTSD  remains  controversial.  This small study, with 45 participants looked at the mental health of women  three to six months after diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The women were assessed using DSM criteria by  structured clinical interview. The women had early to advanced stages of ovarian cancer. 29% of the women were diagnosed with PTSD. Those women  also  had a high  rate of depression with significant functional impairment. The authors suggest  clinical suspicion of associated mental illness for ovarian cancer patients will enable early diagnosis and approp riate  treatm ent .

Real-World Data Confirm the Incidence of ADC-Related Ocular Toxicities in Ovarian Cancer http://tinyurl.com/29ct55ck One of the white hopes for treatment of ovarian cancer is  t he antibody/drug conjugate  E lahere . This drug has FDA appro val  for use  in cases of platinum resistant recurrent ovarian cancer. Clinical trials showed si gnificant improvement in survival which led to  the  approval. However, adverse effects were noted with 61% of women receiving two or more cycles of treatment having  visual problems. This review confirms the high incidence of eye  symptoms due to corneal disease with blurred vision,  pain,  and  photophobia. Corneal symptoms are not an uncommon side effect of chemo , usually involving inflammation or inclusions ,  with corneal opacity . The authors state that because of the lack of alternative treatment for these women ,  managing the adverse effect with local measures such as steroid drops...

Trends in Location of Death for Individuals with Ovarian Cancer in the United States http://tinyurl.com/2p92v9d4 Access to hospice care is discriminatory .  Using the CDC’s WONDER database ,  this article reviewed the place of death for almost 240.000 women who died from ovarian cancer ,  during the p eriod 2003-2019. There was a  22% increase in the number of deaths from ovarian cancer during that time. The likelihood of women dying at home decreased  by 6% ,  with 23% doing so in   2019. An increase in those dying in  a h ospital  to 64% was  almost all  due to non-white women. The number   dying in ho spic e increased from 9% to 13% , mostly white women. If  y ou are black in the US, you are almost 70% more likely to die in hospital . Indigenous or Asian  women have a 50% greater death rate in hospital compared to white women .  The authors suggest better access and information about  high quality healthc...