Jason Bielas in his laboratory
For women living with ovarian cancer, a research project led by Jason Bielas (BSc 鈥98, PhD 鈥03), an alumnus of 91亚色's Faculty of Science, is offering new hope.
Bielas is the lead researcher on a project that has developed a new DNA test to predict ovarian cancer survival. His publication in the journal highlights the new research and his findings.
The recipient of Governor General鈥檚 Gold Medal when he graduated from 91亚色, Bielas is now in his fifth year as a faculty member at the (FHCRC) in Seattle, WA.聽 Bielas and his team developed a new method to accurately count a distinct class of cancer-fighting cells, called tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs), in women with early stage and advanced ovarian cancer. The process shows promise as it can foresee how long ovarian cancer patients will survive and accordingly guide treatment methods.
"We have developed a new method that would better advise physicians on the best method for cancer therapy,鈥 says Bielas. 鈥淎s we are now able to accurately count TILs in tumours, we may be able to improve patient treatment and survival.鈥
When tested on samples from 30 women with ovarian cancer, researchers found that higher TIL levels were akin to better survival rates. In women who survived more than five years, the percentage of TILs was three times higher than in women who survived less than two years.
鈥淭his new technique has the potential to more effectively predict treatment response, survival and cancer recurrence than current methods,鈥 says Bielas.
The test also may have a broader scope beyond ovarian cancer and聽could be聽useful with other types of cancer. To learn more about this study and other research under way聽in the, visit the website.
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer for women and the most deadly.聽According to聽, there are 17,000 Canadian women living with the disease.聽This year alone, it is estimated that聽some 2,600 women will receive a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.聽It is silent, can go undiagnosed and as a result, it is the most fatal women's cancer. It does not discriminate between young and old.