The cornerstone of our research program is participation in the Gynecologic Oncology Group. The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) is a national NCI funded, cooperative clinical trials group devoted to pursuing clinical and basic science research on gynecologic cancers. Dr. Pearl is the principal investigator for the GOG at SUNY Stony Brook; however all the physicians of LIGO participate in the GOG clinical trials. At any given time, LIGO has approximately 20-25 trials open for enrollment for the treatment of gynecologic cancers. Your doctor will advise you if you are eligible to participate in one of these trials.

Another exciting research effort includes pursuing early detection of ovarian cancer through the use of proteomics. Proteomics refers to the analysis of protein patterns in a woman’s blood. Preliminary evidence suggests that a specific pattern of proteins can lead to the detection of early-stage ovarian cancer. Dr. Chalas is the principal investigator on a study being conducted jointly by LIGO and the Correlogics Institute. This study will be open in late 2005. To be eligible for this study, a woman must be 18 years or older, have a condition requiring removal of her ovaries, be at high risk for ovarian cancer and having surgery where her ovaries will be examined.

A number of collaborative projects with scientists in several departments have been established. In conjunction with the Department of Pharmacology, the division is investigating the levels of tamoxifen-DNA adducts in endometrium. In collaboration with the Department of Pathology, the division is investigating the role of p73 in gynecologic malignancies. A number of projects are underway with members of the Division of Medical Oncology. We are collaborating with Dr. Wen-Tien Chen to develop a method for isolating viable ovarian cancer cells from blood and ascites and to identify early carcinoma antigens in patients with ovarian cancer using DNA micro assay techniques.

Two exciting projects have been developed with investigators from other institutions. In conjunction with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, we are attempting to identify genes that may play a role in the development and outcome of ovarian cancer using micro array-based screening technology.