title: Ovarian cancer.
abstract: Ovarian cancer is not a single disease and can be subdivided into at least five different histological subtypes that have different identifiable risk factors, cells of origin, molecular compositions, clinical features and treatments. Ovarian cancer is a global problem, is typically diagnosed at a late stage and has no effective screening strategy. Standard treatments for newly diagnosed cancer consist of cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. In recurrent cancer, chemotherapy, anti-angiogenic agents and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors are used, and immunological therapies are currently being tested. High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is the most commonly diagnosed form of ovarian cancer and at diagnosis is typically very responsive to platinum-based chemotherapy. However, in addition to the other histologies, HGSCs frequently relapse and become increasingly resistant to chemotherapy. Consequently, understanding the mechanisms underlying platinum resistance and finding ways to overcome them are active areas of study in ovarian cancer. Substantial progress has been made in identifying genes that are associated with a high risk of ovarian cancer (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2), as well as a precursor lesion of HGSC called serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma, which holds promise for identifying individuals at high risk of developing the disease and for developing prevention strategies.
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
authors: Ursula A
authors: UA
authors: Matulonis
authors: Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, and Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNA, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors: Anil K
authors: AK
authors: Sood
authors: Sussex Health Outcomes Research and Education in Cancer (SHORE-C), Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Falmer, East Sussex, UK.
authors: Lesley
authors: L
authors: Fallowfield
authors: Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors: Brooke E
authors: BE
authors: Howitt
authors: Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Jalid
authors: J
authors: Sehouli
authors: Women's Cancer Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors: Beth Y
authors: BY
authors: Karlan
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024682:BRCA2 Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D010298:Parity / Q000502:physiology; D010984:Platinum / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal / Q000009:adverse effects; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D024682:BRCA2 Protein; C551750:BRCA2 protein, human; D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; C451759:MUC16 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010984:Platinum; C111164:BRAP protein, human; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases