Combating Mucinous Ovarian Cancer Collaborative Studies

MUCOVA 1: Investigating Ethnic and Age-Related Clinical Outcomes and Genomic Differences in Primary Mucinous Ovarian Cancer. 

Primary mucinous ovarian carcinoma (PMOC) is a rare cancer affecting 3 out of 100 women with ovarian cancer. Typically, PMOC presents with large ovarian cysts, often causing early symptoms of abdominal swelling and pain, leading to early diagnosis and better treatment outcomes. While most cases are curable with surgery, scenarios such as disease spread beyond the cyst or the infiltrative subtype pose greater risks of recurrence or incurable disease. PMOC's resistance to standard chemotherapy complicates treatment in these cases.

Our study aims to identify previously unknown risk factors for incurable or recurrent PMOC and conduct genetic analysis of these cancers. By understanding the underlying mechanisms, particularly in high-risk groups, we aim to identify potential targets for effective treatments. Through this research, we hope to improve overall prognosis and advance personalized treatment options for PMOC patients. 

MUCOVA 2:  Validating Ethnicity as a Poor Prognostic Risk Factor in Mucinous Ovarian Cancer: A Retrospective Multicentre Cohort Study

We are now carrying out a national study which will include 7 sites: Birmingham, Coventry, Barts (London), Oxford, Manchester, and hopefully Leeds and Preston. This is a validation study to confirm the finding of poorer prognosis in South Asian women diagnosed with PMOC. 

MUCOVA 3: Genomic Sequencing to Identify Oncogenic Drivers in Primary Mucinous Ovarian Cancer

Finally, we will be carrying out a genomic sequencing study to identify if genomic regulatory area mutations and copy number variations are the oncogenic driver mutations in PMOC rather than coding exonic mutations. 

MUCON 1: Assessing the Prognostic Value of Lymphadenectomy in Primary Mucinous Ovarian Cancer with Infiltrative Invasion 

The next study is a collaboration with a team from the Netherlands, here we will assess whether lymphadenectomy in PMOC with infiltrative invasion has any prognostic benefit 

MUCON 2: Evaluating Tumour Invasion Classification Methods for Predicting Disease Recurrence in Primary Mucinous Ovarian Cancer 

The next collaboration with the team from the Netherlands is aimed to determine the most effective classification method for primary mucinous ovarian cancer tumours in predicting disease recurrence. Specifically, we will evaluate whether the presence of any amount of destructive stromal invasion is indicative of an infiltrative tumour and associated with worse prognosis. 

If you would like to learn more about any of these projects, or are interested in participating, please contact:

Tejumola Olaoye, Clinical Research Fellow at txo245@student.bham.ac.uk