Those who have contributed in any way to the Emer Casey Foundation’s inspiring efforts to combat ovarian/uterine cancer, particularly through early detection, can be immensely proud of the results generated by their efforts.  Immediately following the 2010 Emer Case 10k on May 23rd, Professor John O’Leary of the Institute of Molecular Medicine at Trinity College Dublin addressed the participants at the assembly point in Pobalscoil na Trionoide. His message measured that, in truth, breakthroughs of immense importance, magnified by the foundation’s links with various international medical research centres, continue to emerge.

Professor O’Leary leads the DISCOVARY consortium, which is composed of researchers from several institutions who undertake world-class research into ovarian and endometrial cancer. DISCOVARY’s primary goal is to understand these cancers, develop new early detection methods and design novel treatment options.

The Emer Casey Foundation sponsors three Phd fellowships for the consortium and their focus lies in the areas of chemoresistance, cancer stem cells, circulating tumour cells and the body’s immune response to cancer. They are Mairead Murphy, Lynda McEvoy and Brendan French and they also addressed the gathering on recent progress in their individual projects.

The consortium’s overall profile and its considerable achievements can be viewed online at www.emercaseyfoundation.com Meanwhile Professor O’Leary and his workers addressed advances made in the past twelve months.

A year of great progress

The professor began by deliberating on “some very important discoveries and breakthroughs” over the year. He described how an “inflammatory pathway” involved with ovarian cancer had been discovered. The pathway is compiled of a protein called TLR4 and its accompanying adaptor molecule, MyD88. The terms are technical but the research indicated that, “some of the treatments we presently use for people with ovarian cancer may inadvertently activate this pathway,” which suggested that such cancer cells that express TLR4 and MyD88 are more likely to be chemoresistant and will behave like cancer stem cells. “That’s a major statement,” he stressed, adding that, “hospitals involved with the DISCOVARY consortium, are asking their ethics boards if they can start testing for these particular genes or proteins as part of managing the treatment with ovarian cancer patients.”

Professor O’Leary also told how the fellows are collaborating with the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland (RCSI) and Dublin City University (DCU) in examining the role of platelets in cancer cell metastasis. The process, called ‘platelet cloaking,’ is “a major step forward in understanding how tumour cells spread in the blood stream.”

The professor proceeded that the consortium has “engaged a second group in UCD that have discovered a new protein in ovarian cancer called Mad-2. The presence of this “really bad protein” in ovarian cancer sufferers signified a much bleaker outlook. Thanks directly to the Emer Casey Foundation, an important paper on this issue was expected to be published in the coming months.

The three students are also commencing research in tandem with colleagues at the Dana Faber Cancer Institute, Harvard University, USA, who approached them and asked for collaboration. This work “will focus on deep analysis of the role of MyD88 in tumour cell chemotherapeutic responses and to carry out live cell imaging of cancer platelet interactions.” This collaboration is seen as creating “a dynamic two-way interaction between scientists on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The three students/Fellows funded to the consortium by the Emer Casey Foundation also addressed the gathering, with each indicating their specific area of research and offering a brief synopsis of their progress. In this instance particularly, much of the terminology used is technical and, frankly, unlikely to convey its immense significance if represented here in full. Briefly, the speakers were represented thus:

1)  Lynda McEvoy: deals with “Developing Novel Therapeutic  approaches in Chemoresistant Ovarian Cancer Paitents.’

Lynda aims to help formulate new ovarian cancer treatments and improve current ones. She is investigating why some ovarian cancer patients, having responded well to initial chemotherapy before relapsing and becoming resistant to treatment. She refers to one possible cause as tumour hypoxia, which is another way of saying ‘a reduced level of oxygen in the tumour.’ She has investigated the effect of hypoxia on the standard treatment for ovarian cancer, by subjecting the drugs combination cisplatin and taxane  to various conditions. Her findings “may provide novel targets for new therapeutic drugs,” she says. Her future plans include collaboration with DCU in examining the response of cells taken from a patient’s tumour to different concentrations of chemotherapy drugs and different concentrations of oxygen in order to tailor a chemotherapy regime that is suited to a patient’s particular tumour.”

2. Mairead Murphy: deals with ‘Developing and Validating  Diagnostic Serum Based Biomarker Panels in Ovarian Cancer.’

Mairead’s work aims to identify biomarkers associated with ovarian cancer. A biomarker is a substance that provides information about underlying processes within the body. To determine biomarkers she has profiled antibody patterns in the serum of ovarian cancer patients and then compared them to those of healthy volunteers. (Antibodies are proteins found in the blood or body fluid and make up the core of the immune system.)

She has identified patterns of some previously identified biomarkers and also potential biomarkers that may be used to detect various ovarian diseases, including cancer. Her task is to define the best possible treatment for ovarian cancer by distinguishing between different ovarian diseases. Through the presence of one sort of antibody (immunoglobulin G) in the blood she can probe the immune repertoire of patients over a period of up to 10 years and thus acquire information on cancer progression. A second type of antibody (immunoglobulin M) may provide an earlier assessment however and the two combined “should provide a greater insight into cancer progression and patient immune response,” she concludes.

3. Brendan French: deals with the ‘Isolation Characterisation and  Silencing of Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells.’

Brendan, the latest recruit to the fellowship thanks to the public’s financial support, is studying the hypothesis whereby growth and repair of cancer tissue –as with normal tissue- is carried out by stem cells (CSCs). Cancer stem cells are thought to be resistant to therapy and capable of replenishing tumors post-treatment.

His project aims to isolate supposed CSCs from ovarian cancer. Once isolated, it is intended to validate these putative CSCs through various hallmarks associated with stem cells, such as chemoresistance, resistance to low oxygen conditions, etc. Once validated as stem cells the project will endeavour to discover what makes the CSC’s different to general cancer cells with the intention of identifying ways to differentiate/kill them and so make enhance the success of ovarian cancer treatment. This work is in its early stages but so far has identified and isolated one population of cancer stem cells from one line of ovarian cancer cells.

Summary

In summary, the Emer Casey Foundation is sponsoring ovarian cancer research in the areas of chemoresistance, cancer stem cells, circulating tumour cells and the body’s immune response to cancer. The scientists have already identified a panel of proteins that can be found in the blood of ovarian cancer patients and have developed a near-patent testing device to assess a patient’s response to chemotherapy. They are mow working on new ways to isolate circulating tumour cells in a patient’s blood.

War

Back on the support trenches, so to speak, of the war against ovarian cancer, Professor O’Leary had a stark but inspiring message for the troops assembled before him in Pobalscoil na Trionoide. “One in three of you here will get cancer and two in three of you will work or live with someone who will get it,” he said. Yet, “ordinary people are leading the fight against the ‘silent killer,’” he stressed. “You are contributing to a body of knowledge searching to establish early detection methods and striving to understand how these tumours can be treated.” He proceeded, “ Your money is making a major impact on the progress of Irish scientists that is being internationally recognized. That is why the running, walking and weeping you did today is so very important. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

The fourth annual Emer Casey Memorial 10K will take place on Sunday, May 23rd in Youghal, Co. Cork at 1.30pm.

Sunday May 23rd will see runners and walkers from the local region, Ireland and abroad partake in the fourth annual Emer Casey Memorial 10k. Muscle-toned, loose-limbed competitive athletes will mix with leisurely strollers and generate once again the unique ambience of this upbeat event.
By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey Youghalonline.com EMAIL: news@youghalonline.com

Some 12 hours earlier, an equivalent occasion will have unfolded 12,000 miles away in Melbourne, where participants will have shared the route with former Olympic silver medalist Sonia O’Sullivan. The Australian city is hosting its second Emer Casey memorial and is already considered a major event in the Victoria event and athletic calendar. Proceeds from the Australian fundraiser are designated for Melbourne’s world-renowned Peter MacCallum Cancer research centre.

In both locations, top performances will be recognised with perpetual trophies but the accent will focus primarily on fun. Each will reward participants with spot prizes, goody bags, t-shirts and one can’t rule out a bit of a laugh in the refreshment and shower arenas either if the truth be known!

The Youghal run will commence at 1.30pm from Pobalscoil na Trionoide over the established round course via the New Line, Strand and town centre. Participants are encouraged to register online for prime convenience @ www.emercaseyfoundation.com) but if need be can alternatively register at Pobalscoil either on the day from 11 am or from 3-5pm on the previous Saturday.

Details of the Melbourne event, from Monash University, Clayton Campus, are available online also, for anyone fancying a volcanic ash challenge as an extra bit of fun!

EMER CASEY FOUNDATION AT FOREFRONT OF OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH

By Christy Parker

The Emer Casey Foundation was established after ovarian/uterine cancer claimed the vibrant life of Emer in 1996. At 28, she was the youngest of five girls born to Brendan and Juliette Casey. Now internationally recognised as a major contributor to cancer research, the foundation finances studies aimed at providing early detection of the disease.

There are approximately 334 new cases of ovarian/uterine cancer diagnosed in Ireland every year, with an average fatality rate of two-thirds. It is the leading cause of death from gynaecological malignancy in the western world, yet Ireland still has no national risk assessment or genetic screening programme in place. It has been labelled ‘the silent killer’ as the vague symptoms often mean that by the time the cancer is diagnosed, the tumour has spread beyond the ovaries

Emer’s family, friends and work colleagues have transformed tragedy into a campaign to save others from the deadly affliction. Their cause is channeled through the Emer Casey Foundation, which the family, along with Emer’s former employers, Dublin-based solicitors Matheson Ormbsy Prentice, founded. Their commitment raised over €450,00 in four years and is inspired by the knowledge that a woman’s chances of surviving ovarian cancer increase from 15% to 80% with early diagnosis.

The foundation funds three PhD fellows to conduct research at the Dublin-based DISCOVARY consortium, which is comprised of several experts across various areas of cancer research. The fellowship focus on (a) protein signatures in early and recurrent ovarian cancer and (b) developing novel chemotherapy suitable for ovarian cancer patients.

Individual projects are linked through an ‘information pipeline’ to investigators at Dublin, Cork and Galway universities, as well as Dublin City University and TCD. The consortium also liaises with world-leading professors in America’s George Mason University Centre for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine and with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of California.

The DISCOVARY consortium’s research and reputation is thriving and last year, together with Dublin’s Dept of Histopathology (the microscopic examination of tissue relevant to the manifestations of disease), they acquired Ireland’s first high tech SOLID System Sequencing machine. Procuring this leading tool in the technology of genomic analysis positioned DISCOVARY as one of the world’s leading oncology research groups.

Battling ‘the silent killer’

In an Irish Times report some weeks ago, Prof John O’Leary, Director of Pathology at the Coombe and chairman of Pathology at Trinity College, explained that the Emer Casey fellowships are striving “to identify novel serum markers to detect early ovarian cancer and are also developing novel therapeutics for patients who no longer respond to chemotherapy.”

One student, ‘is investigating the effect of low oxygen in patients with ovarian cancer and its impact on the development of chemo-resistant cancer.’ A second ‘is investigating a unique signature protein which has been discovered in women with early and late ovarian cancer’ amidst hopes of developing a blood test to be used in early detection. A third student ‘is looking at markers in ovarian cancer cells which appear to drive chemo-resistance and to reduce significantly overall survival and disease-free survival.’

The report further referred to Dr Sam Coulter-Smith, Master of the Rotunda Hospital and a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. Dr. Coulter-Smith said ‘risk assessment services and genetic screening should be available to all women in a high-risk category.’ He too cited the dearth of formal ovarian cancer screening services in Ireland, which denies women at risk of developing the disease, the chance of avoidance or cure.

Breast and ovarian cancer are strongly linked, according to Dr. Coulter-Smith, who runs a risk assessment service for women with a strong family history of both cancers. He believes that women carrying one of the genetic mutations that cause ovarian cancer have, depending on the type of mutation, between a 20% and 80% per cent chance of developing the disease.’

The doctor says there is now a greater awareness that this ‘faulty gene’ can be inherited, with a consequential increase in the numbers seeking genetic screening. He is quoted as saying that ‘removing the ovaries, while they are still healthy reduces the risk to about 1%. However a major downside is that if a close relation developed the disease in their 50s or 60s, one would need to have one’s ovaries removed in their 40’s and go straight into menopause.’

Dr. Coulter-Smith further concludes that, ‘unfortunately the two presently known primary genetic mutations linked to ovarian cancer -BRCA-1 and BRCA-2- only account for about 25 per cent of mutations that cause genetic ovarian and breast cancer. So even with screening, only 25 per cent of faulty genes are identified.’ He advises people with two or more close relations who have had breast or ovarian cancer, to seek advice their GP’ advice as to whether they need to be referred to an ovarian screening service. Meanwhile a Sunday trip around Youghal or Melbourne on May 23rd can help to make that consultation less daunting for many.

Emer Casey Memorial 10k Run/Walk Youghal 2010

The fourth annual Emer Casey Memorial 10K will take place on Sunday, May 23rd in Youghal, Co. Cork at 1.30pm.
Race Details

The start line is at the Water Tower at the top of Cork Hill (beside Pobailscoil na Trionoide) and finishes at the front strand. There is ample parking space at the school. Buses will be available to transfer runners and walkers back to the school where showers and refreshments will be available.
Race Numbers

Race numbers will be available for collection at Pobalscoil Na Trionoide on Saturday May 22nd from 3-5pm or on Sunday May 23rd from 11am. We would recommend that you try to register on-line if possible as queues on race day can be quite long. Please note however that the on-line registration facility will terminate on Thursday, May 20th at 5pm.
Prizes

Perpetual Trophies will be awarded to the first male and first female athletes. There are numerous spot prizes up for grabs to the value of €500 not to mention a free goody bag and t-shirt to all finishers. Please ensure to include your name on the back of your race number to make sure you are in with a chance to win a prize!
Directions

Travelling from Waterford stay on the by pass and take the first exit for Youghal. Travelling from Cork take the second exit for Youghal.

By Christy Parker
The Emer Casey Foundation will hold a fundraising Christmas Fair at the Greenbarn Garden and Lifestyle Centre, Killeagh Road, this Saturday (Nov 22nd). Local artisans and crafts people will contribute to a day-long jamboree of flower arranging, cookery demonstrations, storytelling, Santa Clause, face painting and comedy, to name but some attractions.

Greenbarn will “donate 10% of takings to the Foundation, while a raffle and voluntary donations will also seek to raise funds. All proceeds will go to DISCOVARY, a consortium directly engaged in research on the pathogenesis of ovarian/uterine cancer. This consortium is broad-based across several Irish colleges whose specialists work on individual yet linked projects, as well as linking their research with experts in the USA.

Youghal girl Emer succumbed to the disease in 2006, aged just 28. The solicitor with Dublin Dublin-based law firm, Matheson, Ormbsy, Prentice Solicitors, was known as a vivacious, caring girl who loved sport and travel. The youngest of five girls, she is survived by Read more