Updates from the Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers 

Then versus Now
Highlights in treatment and understanding of ovarian cancer 

  • ​1999- FDA grants accelerated approval status to liposomal doxorubicin for advanced ovarian cancer
  • 2003 – FDA approves new chemotherapy combination of docetaxel and carboplatin
  • 2005 – FDA approves liposomal doxorubicin for advanced ovarian cancer
  • 2005 – The NCI launches TCGA project with the initial goal of mapping the genomes of ovarian, brain and lung cancers. The project later expands to include many other types of cancer.
  • 2007 – Researchers find that some ovarian cancers begin in the fallopian tubes (work led by BWH; Ronny Drapkin, then at DFCI was an author on the seminal paper)
  • 2009 – Preventive surgery confirmed to reduce breast and ovarian cancer risk in women with BRCA mutations.  
  • 2010 – Pre-surgery (neo-adjuvant) chemotherapy proven an effective option for women with advanced ovarian cancer.
  • 2015 – Stand up to Cancer creates the first Ovarian Cancer Dream Team. As part of the project six collaborating organizations will spend three years investigating DNA repair therapies for ovarian cancer.

    By targeting DNA repair pathways, the team hopes to build and expand on the recent advances of olaparib and other PARP inhibitors. Presently, DNA repair is used therapeutically for a narrow population and the team seeks to expand the use of approved and investigational DNA repair therapies for a wider group of patients. 

The latest: research at a "crossroads"

On April 8, 2016, the Susan F. Smith Center Executive Council held its 13th annual breakfast to educate guests on the latest advances in ovarian cancer research and clinical care, and to raise vital funding for physician-researchers at the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber. 

Check out Dr. Matulonis's update on the You Tube video below!
I think in ovarian cancer we need to really do a better job in improving how we are treating women, and one of the exciting steps in clinical trial development has been sub-splitting out the different subtypes of treatment. -- Dr. Ursula Matulonis

Dr. Ursula Matulonis, who was Joan Brack's oncologist, was featured with a patient in this recent YouTube video from the 2015 "Stand Up To Cancer" telethon (shown above at the top right). 

You may need to move ahead to presentation number 20 on the playlist to view "SU2C Dream Team Gives Beverly A Second Chance." It offers a moving firsthand look at someone lifted up by the work and passion of these amazing practitioners and researchers.

For a more detailed look at the the latest advances in ovarian cancer therapy, check out a webchat in September, 2014 with Dr. Matulonis and other doctors at the Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers. 

They discuss the progress being made to offer personalized treatment for each patient as researchers better understand different subtypes of ovarian cancer, including how molecular alterations guide decisions for different therapies.
“What every woman should know”

The Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers at Dana-Farber unites many of the world's leading experts in breast and gynecologic cancers, and cancer genetics, with one common goal: to give women the latest, most advanced care, including innovative therapies that are often available only through clinical trials. Our physicians have pioneered research discoveries that have changed the way doctors care for patients around the world.
Learn more about these latest advances in our live video webchat series by clicking here!

Join Dana-Farber doctors from the Susan F. Smith Center for a live video webchat series. Experts will discuss topics including breast cancer treatment and research, cancer genetics, and the latest advances in ovarian cancer therapy!