Investigating the Role of VGF in Ovarian Cancer Quiescence and Treatment Resistance

Project summary

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common and deadly gynecological cancers diagnosed in women. One major cause for the poor patient outcome is a small cell population known as quiescent cells. Quiescent cells are a unique population that are able to stop growing to survive against standard cancer treatment. These quiescent cells are then able to restart cell growth, promoting new tumor formation, ultimately leading to poor patient survival. Our proposal is focused on finding an Achillies heel to this quiescent population, to prevent them from initiating new tumor growth, in an effort to extend patient survival.

This grant was made possible by a generous donation made in memory of Susan (Simcha) Rudolph.