During year four, the NFGC elected to fund this project, led by Dr. Johnathan Lancaster. Funds were received and this project began in April 2006.
The goal of this project is to develop and validate a gene expression profile that can predict response to chemotherapy for advanced-stage ovarian cancer using RNA extracted from formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens.
The primary aim is to identify global gene expression profiles that predict response to adjuvant platinum/taxane chemotherapy for advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer, using FFPE specimens. Further, Dr. Lancaster’s group plans to compare the accuracy and gene content of these FFPE sample predictive profiles with those previously developed by his group using the same fresh frozen (FF) samples. Finally, FFPE microarray gene expression levels will be validated in a subset of predictive genes using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRTPCR).
Dr. Lancaster believes that use of FFPE samples is a critical next step in the translation of his group's functional genomics work from the laboratory to the clinic. It is anticipated that the ability to predict response to chemotherapy will enable tailored therapies to be established for individual patients with ovarian cancer on the basis of tumor biology. As such, response rates may be improved, non-active toxic agents avoided, bone marrow spared, and quality of life enhanced. Ultimately, defining the biologic underpinnings of response to therapy will facilitate the development of more active agents that may improve cure rates. Dr. Lancaster is convinced that the development of FFPE-based genomic technologies will bridge the gap between novel laboratory findings and clinical practice.
Page updated 12/7/07