Fallopian tube organoids show how BRCA1 mutant women with ovarian cancer start

Stem cell scientists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have revealed the origin of a common ovarian cancer by establishing a fallopian tube tissue model

Dr.

Hosted by Svensson, co-corresponding author Bescaran, MD, and now professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, director of cancer population genetics, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and colleagues, Reported on their findings in the cell report, in an article titled BRCA1 mutant human ipsc-derived oviduct organoids overviewing early carcinogenesis

In the United States, ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecological cancer.

The strongest genetic risk factor leading to HGSC is the germline mutation of the breast cancer (BRCA1) gene (BRCA1mut)

Historically, ovarian cancer was thought to originate from epithelial cells on the surface of the ovary

In their research, the research team grew induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) from healthy women and young ovarian cancer patients with BRCA1 mutations

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As the scientists reported in their published paper, "After differentiation into FTE organoids, the BRCA1mut cell line was found to exhibit cellular abnormalities consistent with tumor transformation, compared to the control group," the team noted

The team believes that organoid technology may have multiple applications

"This model provides a promising, biologically relevant platform to validate new drugs and targets for cancers that are not fully understood," the team concluded

"This research represents an exciting application of IPSCs, bringing us closer than ever to significantly improving outcomes for women with this common ovarian cancer," said Jeffrey Golden, MD, a research and graduate student Deputy Director of Education and Director of Cedars-Sinai Burns and Allen Institute