University of Iowa researchers receive a $10 million grant to fight ovarian cancer

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Researchers at the University of Iowa could make a major advance in treating ovarian cancer thanks to a $10 million grant.

This project is led by Dr. Jill Kolesar, dean of the university's Faculty of Pharmacy. The goal is to develop a treatment that can essentially trick cells into fighting the disease.

“We’re trying to bring ourselves into the 21st century with the treatment of ovarian cancer,” Kolesar said.

In the laboratory, the process involves a small procedure similar to a platelet donation. This process needs to be streamlined. The mission is to get this treatment to pharmacy shelves, which Kolesar predicts could happen within the next seven years.

“If we can develop this drug and it is as effective in humans as it is in the lab, we are optimistic that we can have a big impact on ovarian cancer,” Kolesar said. “The overall end goal of the project is to cure ovarian cancer.”

The American Cancer Society reports about 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer each year, with more than 12,000 of those expected to die from the disease.

Kolesar has been working on this for years, and since her time at the University of Kentucky, her team has been optimistic about the future.

“Well, I guess that’s every explorer’s dream, right? Doing something that actually has a positive impact on the world. So we are optimistic that we will succeed and we will definitely make efforts,” Kolesar said.

She also wants to raise awareness about ovarian cancer because, although it's not as common as other cancers, two-thirds of women who undergo chemotherapy have to fight it again after going into remission.

“The voices are really getting louder when it comes to breast cancer and I really think that ovarian cancer should have its time because we have made tremendous strides in treating breast cancer and now it is ovarian cancer's turn to make some impressive strides,” Kolesar said .

The American Cancer Society recommends contacting a doctor if you have concerns, as there are often no symptoms in the early stages of the disease and only 20% of ovarian cancer cases are detected early.

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