Below came in from the BC Cancer Agency – very cool – check it out:

Through genomic sequencing and analysis of ovarian tumours, researchers at the BC Cancer Agency, led by Dr. David Huntsman, discovered groundbreaking information about mutations on the gene ARID1A and the gene itself — namely, it is a tumour suppressor. The mutations disrupt the gene’s ability to stop tumour growth in two types of ovarian cancer, clear cell carcinoma and endometrioid carcinoma. Clear cell carcinoma is the second most common subtype of ovarian cancer and the second leading cause of death from ovarian cancer in North American women. Not only does this mean that ARID1A mutations can become targets for new treatments, but it could also shed new light on why endometriosis sometimes leads to ovarian cancer.

We invite you to visit our website for the full media release or read our blog, Partners in Discovery, to hear about this important research project from Dr. Huntsman himself.

Research discoveries such as this provide evidence that will translate into improved treatment and care and bring new hope to the more than 21,000 British Columbians who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. These discoveries also underscore how fruitful the partnership between research and philanthropy can be.

This watershed breakthrough at the BC Cancer Agency has been published today in the internationally peer-reviewed journal The New England Journal of Medicine.

Thank you for again for being our partner in discovery.

Sincerely,

Douglas Nelson
President & CEO, BC Cancer Foundation