Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women. As it often develops without symptoms, many cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed only in the advanced stages when the tumours have spread and successful treatment is difficult. Resistance to chemotherapy is also a problem with ovarian cancer.
 

Dr Hilary Russell and colleagues have identified a gene (SEPT9) that is altered in most cases of ovarian cancer. In a laboratory model, altered expression of this gene has been associated with tumour spread and drug resistance.

In this study, the researchers will investigate the potential link between the SEPT9 gene and tumour spread and resistance to chemotherapy in samples from ovarian cancer patients. Greater knowledge of the genes associated with ovarian cancer may help to predict which patients will develop treatment resistance and provide targets for new treatments.

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