Why ovarian cancer keeps coming back — and how SDSU researchers hope to stop it

A new study identifies how treatment-resistant cells survive chemotherapy, pointing to a potential strategy for preventing frequent, deadly relapses.

For many women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the most difficult battle begins after initial treatment appears to work.

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most common and deadliest form of the disease, accounting for approximately 75% of total ovarian cancer cases. Chemotherapy is often effective in shrinking initial tumors and sending the disease into remission, but roughly three-quarters of patients with advanced cases experience a recurrence within five years.

Now, San Diego State University researchers led by Carrie House, associate professor of biology in the College of Sciences, have made an important discovery that could lead to new strategies for preventing these deadly relapses.

Read more on SDSU NewsCenter.