The molecular genetic basis of ovarian cancer and its roadmap towards a better treatment

Review

The molecular genetic basis of ovarian cancer and its roadmap towards a better treatment

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E. Despierre^{a, ,} , D. Lambrechts^b, P. Neven^a, F. Amant^a, S. Lambrechts^a and I. Vergote^a

^a Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
^b The Vesalius Research Center, K.U. Leuven and VIB, Leuven, Belgium

Received 11 November 2009. 

Available online 7 March 2010.

Abstract

Objectives

Ovarian cancer remains a major health problem for women. Although there is considerable clinico-pathological heterogeneity, the molecular genetic basis of ovarian cancer remains poorly understood. Recently, high-resolution genomic maps generated by genome-wide SNP analyses and novel sequencing technologies, have started to dissect the genetic basis of ovarian cancer.

Methods

Here, we will describe our first insights on how somatic mutations may contribute to the diagnostic re-classification of ovarian cancer. We will discuss how copy number alterations and epigenetic changes represent promising biomarkers to predict resistance to treatment in ovarian cancer, and will also highlight how some of the recently-discovered microRNAs might represent interesting therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer.

Results and Conclusions

Future studies, such as the Cancer Genome Atlas Project, involving a large number of ovarian tumors and combining various high-throughput genetic technologies with sophisticated integrative bioinformatic analyses, will be required and are expected to fine-map the full genetic spectrum of ovarian cancer. It is hoped, however, that once the molecular genetic basis of ovarian cancer is understood, this will lead to better and personalized treatments for ovarian cancer.

Keywords: Mutations; Copy number variation; Methylation; microRNA; Targeted therapies; Genetic

Article Outline

Urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies in ovarian cancer

Genetic landscapes in cancer

Mutational spectrum of ovarian cancer: towards a new tumor classification index

DNA copy number variation and loss of heterozygosity are frequent events in ovarian cancer

DNA methylation changes in ovarian cancer: implications for early prognosis and treatment

Gene-expression profiling

MicroRNAs — small molecules with big roles

Concluding remarks and questions

Conflict of interest statement

References