Extended funding for ovarian cancer project

The federal government has announced $2.96 million funding for the next phase of the TRACKFORWARD project, a collaboration between Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA) and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac) aimed at preventing cases of ovarian cancer.

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney MP said, “Ovarian cancer is a devastating disease. Only half of the women who receive a diagnosis survive five years. This study will pave the way for women to have a greater chance at surviving ovarian cancer.

“There is no screening program for ovarian cancer, and because symptoms can often be confused with other health conditions, many women are diagnosed when the cancer has spread, and it can be difficult to treat.”

The project will look at why some women have treatment-resistant ovarian cancer and why some patients have recurrent ovarian cancer.

Only 49% of people diagnosed with ovarian cancer are estimated to survive five years after their diagnosis. The project will study the relevant gene mutations and consider how different treatment options could improve the survival rate for women with this diagnosis.

Currently, genetic testing rates in women living with ovarian cancer in Australia are high because women with BRCA1/2 mutations are eligible to receive specific drugs through the PBS to prevent or delay the disease returning. However, treatments can induce resistance known as ‘reversion mutations’. TRACKFORWARD will monitor the emergence of these reversions in ovarian cancer patients who carry a BRCA1/2 mutation and use this information to better understand the impact on treatment, said OCA in a statement.

“Importantly, understanding the patterns of resistance and associated treatment responses will better inform clinicians on choosing effective therapies for patients with progressive disease. This additional funding will arm doctors and medical researchers with a better understanding of why reversion mutations happen and will help find ways to limit their incidence as well as identify patients most at risk.”

Ovarian Cancer Australia’s Chief of Advocacy and Support, Bridget Bradhurst, said, “Research investment brings much needed hope to our community. We hear time and time again from those we support, many of whom have advanced disease, that there is significant worry of what happens when they run out of treatment options. We know that many women can respond well to initial therapy, but that unfortunately some go on to develop treatment resistance. A greater understanding of the disease can support a more personalised approach to care, ultimately improving outcomes.”

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