Grant: Project Grant

Most women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer at late stages, where current treatment protocols have limited effectiveness. In this proposal we describe a novel treatment approach that could significantly improve our ability to treat women with advanced stage ovarian cancer. We propose to target the abnormal tumor blood vessels that form, to reestablish a healthy blood supply to the tumor. In doing this, we will facilitate delivery of therapeutic compounds to the tumor. Currently, a significant impediment to cancer treatment is the inability to efficiently deliver therapies to the tumor. Normalization of the tumor vasculature will inhibit the intratumoral immune suppression that is commonly seen in ovarian cancer. Another anticipated outcome of vascular normalization is a reduction in interstitial fluid pressure, which creates an impediment for therapy uptake in the tumor. By reducing pressure within the tumor, we will also improve lymphatic vascular function to enhance tumor blood flow and migration of immune cells to lymph nodes to maximize activation of tumoral immunity. With this combined treatment approach, we anticipate that we will be able to induce significant regression of advanced stage disease and dramatically improve health and survival in our preclinical model of ovarian cancer. This therapeutic approach may lead to a dramatic improvement in our ability to treat women with advanced stage ovarian cancer.