Research

The overall goal of the MD Anderson Cancer Center SPORE in Ovarian Cancer is to test and translate novel therapeutic strategies, including those to overcome adaptive resistance to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi), anti-angiogenic agents (bevacizumab) and immune checkpoint blockade.

The principal investigators of the Ovarian Cancer SPORE are Anil K. Sood, M.D., and Robert C. Bast, Jr., M.D., and the research goal is carried out through four projects.

Project 1: The SIK2 Inhibitor GRN-300 Enhances PARP Inhibitor Sensitivity and Cytotoxic T-Cell Function in Ovarian Cancer

Project Co-Leaders: Robert Bast, Jr., M.D., Zhen Lu, M.D., and Amir Jazaeri, M.D.
Objective: To determine whether salt-induced kinase 2 inhibition by GRN-300 overcomes PARPi resistance and enhances PARPi sensitivity and whether GRN-300 promotes adaptive T-cell function and enhances immune checkpoint blockade.

Project 2: Next-Generation Engineered NK Cell Immunotherapy for Ovarian Cancer

Project Co-leaders: Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph.D. and Amir Jazaeri, M.D.
Objective: To develop the next-generation NK-cell therapies for ovarian cancer by enhancing NK-cell potency and persistence through optimal co-stimulatory signaling, cytokine armoring and checkpoint inhibition.

Project 3: Targeting EGFL6 in Ovarian Cancer

Project Co-leaders: Project Co-leaders: Anil K. Sood, M.D., Shannon Westin, M.D., and Timothy Yap, M.B.B.S., Ph.D.
Objective: To develop therapy aimed at the tumor microenvironment using a novel EGFL6 targeted monoclonal antibody.

Project 4: Targeting p300 to Overcome PARP inhibitor resistance induced by acidic tumor microenvironment

Project Co-leaders: Rugang Zhang, Ph.D., and Shannon Westin, M.D.
Objective: To develop a novel strategy to improve efficacy and/or overcome resistance to PARP inhibitors induced by acidic tumor microenvironment by targeting epigenetic regulator p300.

Administrative Core

Co-directors: Anil K. Sood, M.D., and Robert C. Bast, Jr., M.D.
Objective: To coordinate the scientific and fiscal responsibility for all projects and cores associated with the Ovarian Cancer SPORE and to oversee the Career Enhancement Program (CEP) and Developmental Research Program (DRP).

Pathology Core

Co-directors: Jinsong Liu, M.D., Ph.D.
Objective: To provide research investigators with the dedicated pathology personnel and services needed to conduct the unique requirements and scope of the SPORE projects. This core expands and complements the services provided by the existing Gynecological Oncology Tumor Bank and provides frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue and the histopathologic expertise related to the specific needs of each research project. 

Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core

Co-directors: Ying Yuan, Ph.D., Jing Ning, Ph.D., and Han Liang, Ph.D.
Objective: Provide the statistics, bioinformatics and data analyses needed to distill useful information from the large amounts of data obtained from a wide variety of assays and to design and analyze the data from clinical trials.