Myeloid cell networks govern re-establishment of original immune landscapes in recurrent ovarian cancer https://tinyurl.com/47mcxyde Women unfortunate enough to develop a recurrence of ovarian cancer show a range of responses to repeat chemo. This study looks at the immune response to the cancer and the survival outcomes. About half of these women show the presence of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes, (TIL),  suggesting an active cell-mediated immune response. This is associated with better survival. Most of those women also display defective DNA repair with Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD). The immune response is stimulated by increased antigen s such as PD-1 , which suggest that immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors could be of benefit. However, in practice this has not seen to be true. T o understand why this is the case the authors reviewed the immune status of abut 600 patients with ovarian cancer using digital pathology. They subdivided the immune r...

Kinesin superfamily proteins in ovarian cancer: from molecular mechanisms to clinical applications https://tinyurl.com/3d9f6z4v Understanding the cellular changes that occur in ovarian cancer is essential for developing a cure. This review examines the action of microtubule motor proteins, which are crucial for controlling cell division and maintaining normal cell function. In ovarian cancer, one of these motor proteins, called Kinesin, is disrupted. This disruption leads to uncontrolled cell division, metastasis, and chemoresistance. The review highlights that increased intracellular amounts of Kinesin-like proteins are associated with a more aggressive clinical course and a lower survival rate for women with ovarian cancer. The authors suggest that this change in microtubular activity could be a valuable target for precision therapy.

Navigating dual risks: Ovarian cancer prevention and cardiovascular health in patients with hereditary cancer syndromes https://tinyurl.com/3z46f2tp Premature menopause is a health hazard. It has long-term implications for the quality of life and health including ad verse effects on cardiovascular well-being. For women with inherited genetic mutations such as BRCA1&2 this means a dilemma . T hey have a choice of reducing the risk of ovarian cancer by surgical resection of Fallopian tubes and ovaries but need to understand the possible long-term adverse effects. This review article shows the benefits of risk reduction surgery with a decreased risk of ovarian cancer of up to 96%. After surgery there is an immediate menopause . This has been shown to significantly increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease which is the leading cause of death for women. The risk has been shown to be 2 to 3 times greater when compared to women who experience a normal menopause at the usua...

Homologous recombination deficiency and survival in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma by self-reported race https://tinyurl.com/5e7mf9cb The benefits of p ersonalised chemo for women with ovarian cancer are obvious. However, this benefit is no t being applied equally to all ethnic groups, with bla ck women being less likely to have genetic testing and personalised chemo using PARP inhibitors. Initially used for women with the BRCA mutation , PARP inhibitors are effective in improving surviva l for all women who have the metabolic defect of Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD). This study compares survival for women with HRD (about 50% of all ovarian cancer) , to those without . The subgroups of HRD women were divided into self-reported race. All women with HRD have a better survival chance, white women survival is improved by 62%, black women do less well with a 32% reduction in death from ovarian cancer. The authors suggest a difference in genetic mutation for black wo...

Exploring causal relationships between brain imaging-derived phenotypes and ovarian cancer risk: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization https://tinyurl.com/yhfkpwyb One of the perplexing aspects of ovarian cancer is why there is individual variation between those who do have cancer and those who don’t . It would be expected that women with high risk due to genetic mutation such as BR CA2 would all eventually succumb to breast or ovarian cancer. However, many (about 2 0%) , do not. This study suggests that brain structure and function may be part of the reason this is so. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is able in a non-invasive way to identify different brain shapes and anatomy . Using data from the UK Biobank study it has bee n possible to identify 12 distinct varieties of brain anatomy which have an influence on ovarian cancer. Further investigation suggested distinct areas of brain cortex variation, with the right medial cortex being protective , and the right pre-cen...

What do Ovarian Cancer Patients expect from treatment? https://tinyurl.com/mr3rbbxy Increasingly medicine is being consumer driven. There is now an expectation that any course of treatment should actively involve the patient. However , this is not always the case and this survey of women with ovarian cancer shows their expec t ations and hopes about treatment and how the reality is different. Using an on-line platform, (Patients Like Me) 30 women with ovarian cancer received a questionnaire seeking to determine their hopes and expectations at the beginning of their treatment and the actual experience of the process. In addition, information was sought about the impact of this experience on their quality of life. Results from the survey showed little understanding about the nature of the disease and the side effects of treatment. Most women initially had a realistic expectation of complete cure . Only 20% of women thought they were completely cured after the first course of t...

Cognitive and brain health in women with early bilateral salpingo -oophorectomy: Implications for risk, resilience, and subjective cognitive decline https://tinyurl.com/mwayffrf Dementia and cognitive decline are twice as likely for women. It seems that oestrogen i s neuro -protective and premature menopause which occurs after removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries a ccelerates this process . It has been well known that dementia in the elderly has been associated with this surgical procedure. Th is article looks at younger women and measures the impact on their neurological status after surgery before the age of 49 by comparing the outcomes with age-matched controls and a group of BRCA positive women. Standard testing for cognitive decline includes short-term memory tests , logical thought and depression. All participants had MRI brain imaging looking for decrease in brain volumes . Results from the retrospective study show ed loss of cognitive function for women who had earl...