Aussie researchers share in $1.5m to devise better treatments for ovarian cancer

Australian researchers will get a share of $1.5 million to develop better treatments for the four Australian women diagnosed with ovarian cancer every day.

Australian researchers are developing a hormone tablet to prevent ovarian cancer, piggybacking on the way pregnancy, breastfeeding and the contraceptive pill dramatically reduce the risk of the deadly disease.

The Ovarian Cancer ­Research Foundation has awarded three Australian researchers a share of $1.5 million to devise better treatments for the four Australian women diagnosed with the disease every day.

In most women, the cancer returns and becomes resistant to chemotherapy.

Associate Professor Pradeep Tanwar, from the University of Newcastle, has been given $566,000 to exploit the established link between hormones and ovarian cancer — with progesterone suppressing and oestrogen promoting growth of cancer cells — to develop the first prevention.

“Reproductive health plays an important role in whether you get ovarian cancer, even if you have a family history,” Associate Prof Tanwar said. “We know that taking the oral contraceptive for five years gives you a 50 per cent reduction in your risk.

“Having your first child is almost a 40 per cent ­reduction, and breastfeeding is almost 30 per cent.

“We now want to look at the compounds already used for other conditions such as fibroids, infertility or inducing ovulation in IVF to see if they have a prevention benefit.”

Ovarian cancer sufferer Leanne Flynn with daughters Laura and Amelia. Picture: Jason Edwards

Melbourne’s Dr Maree ­Bilandzic, from the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, has been awarded almost $800,000 to screen drugs ­already on the pharmacy shelves — treatments used for everything from other cancers to fungal infections, and nausea — to test their potential in ovarian cancer.

Dr Bilandzic is targeting “leader cells”, a small population of cells that thrive in the face of chemotherapy, by repurposing other drugs.

“Certain drugs have indications that we haven’t really explored,” Dr Bilandzic said.

Queensland’s Associate Professor Jason Lee, from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, has been funded to develop a new drug to make tumours more sensitive to chemotherapy.

MORE: BRAIN CANCER DRUG CUTS TUMOUR GROWTH

FUNDING FOR NEW RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Melbourne mother of three Leane Flynn, who is facing ovarian cancer for the third time in two years, said effective treatments were urgently needed.

“It’s the most lethal gynaecological cancer and there are virtually no symptoms and no prevention,” Ms Flynn said.

“It can’t continue this way.

“I’ve transitioned to another drug after finishing chemo, with pretty serious side effects, but they can’t tell me if it will work or not.

“That’s the frustrating part — there are no specific treatments.”

[e-mail]