Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, when it is hard to treat and death rates are high. Cancers with certain types of DNA repair defects are responsive to targeted therapies, such as drugs called PARP inhibitors. These drugs help prevent cancer cells from repairing their own damaged DNA, thereby hastening the cancer cells’ death.

The SU2C–OCRFA–NOCC Ovarian Cancer Dream Team brings together internationally renowned experts to focus on developing new therapies that target DNA repair and expanding the use of PARP inhibitors to a much larger group of women. In addition, by screening for inherited mutations in genes linked to DNA repair, the team works to find ways to identify women at higher risk for ovarian cancer.

The team takes a three-pronged approach to its goals:

1. Identify ovarian cancers that are likely to respond to DNA repair therapies.
2. Evaluate, in three clinical trials, new drug combinations that may sensitize ovarian tumors to PARP inhibitors.
3. Develop web-based genetic testing and counseling strategies and test surgical prevention models.