The hereditary basis of ovarian cancer is becoming more defined with up to 20 per cent of all invasive ovarian cancer cases now estimated to result from a mutated cancer predisposition gene. We have shown that at least 14 per cent of all invasive ovarian cancer cases are due to germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations (Alsop et. al, 2012). Most of the remaining cases are likely due to germline mutations in other genes, with the mismatch repair (MMR) genes associated with Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome, HNPCC) likely to be predominant. The Hereditary contribution to ovarian cancer project aims to define the contribution of hereditary genes to non-serous ovarian cancer. It is collaboration with the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Pathology Department, and the Familial Cancer Centre, as well as other international ovarian cancer research cohorts.
Funding
Cancer Australia
Principal Investigator/s
Associate Professor Paul James
Contact details
Ms Kathryn Alsop
Email:
Project group:
Familial Cancer Research Centre
Publication
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Alsop KA, Fereday S, Meldrum C, deFazio A, Emmanuel C, George J, Dobrovic A, Birrer MJ, Webb PM, The Australian Ovarian Cancer Study Group, Stewart C, Friedlander M, Fox S, Bowtell D, Mitchell G. BRCA mutation frequency and patterns of treatment response in BRCA mutation positive women with ovarian cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2012 30(21):2654-63
Project status
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Ongoing