Therapeutic targeting of the leader cell population in ovarian cancer

OCRF-FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECT

THERAPEUTIC TARGETING OF THE LEADER CELL POPULATION IN OVARIAN CANCER

Institution: Hudson Institute of Medical Research

Lead Researcher: Dr Maree Bilandzic

Funding Awarded: $799,096

Total Collaborative Funding: $300,000

Year/s: 2019-2022

Research Pillar: New & Effective Treatments

Project Description:

In a world-first for ovarian cancer research Dr Maree Bilandzic has identified a small population of the deadliest ovarian cancer cells, called ‘leader cells’. These cells lead the cancer attack on healthy tissue and have developed ways to survive and even thrive in response to cancer treatment. Dr Bilandzic’s project is investigating ways to destroy these ovarian cancer leader cells. This includes screening thousands of FDA-approved drugs, not currently used to treat ovarian cancer, to determine those that specifically target leader cells and could give many patients an urgently needed, effective treatment option.

“There is currently no way to adequately monitor ovarian cancer other than a CA125 blood test. Knowing that leader cells are a good indicator of therapy response and that leader cells mediate the re-emergence of the disease we developed a screening “panel” specific to leader cells. The panel identifies proteins that are a part of the leader cell “signature”. Searching for this signature allows us to detect leader cells and can be used to monitor a patient’s response to therapy and the re-emergence of the disease.”

Dr Bilandzic

Expected/Achieved Outcomes:

Knowledge Building: This study has been able to provide insight into the cell type responsible for the disease returning – leader cells. The study has shown when you “silence” the leader cell type in cancer samples you get a better response to therapy and most importantly the cancer cells do not return.

Project Status:

With OCRF support the project has moved forward to identify TGA/FDA approved drugs that silence the deadly leader cells. The team have now scanned several drugs with promising responses and are moving forward with a small clinical trial with the hope that promising results, alongside the pre-approved nature of the drugs for other cancers, will mean a rapid translation for ovarian cancer patients.