Many of you have probably seen the press releases that researchers from Yale University have identifie a blood test that in their initial tests, proved to be increasingly accurate in detecting earlier stage ovarian cancer. We hope this is true. However, the truth is that there are still many variables to prove and years of research to happen before this new test could ever be brought to market. This is why WORD has launched a new research program aimed at helping add valuable information to the “quest” to find a true early detection marker for Ovarian Cancer. Whether directly or inderectly connected, we hope our research will lead to a in market test in the no too distant future.
WORD is proud to announce the naming of one of their newest research program. From February 19, 2008 the Kolleen Stacey Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Program will be a working diligently to combat gynecologic cancers through research of potential new diagnostic tools.
In late 2006 Women’s Oncology Research & Development (WORD) had the privilege to work with Mrs. Kolleen Stacey in an event in which she helped raise awareness of her advocacy work for Johanna’s Law, an educational act to fund resources about gynecologic cancers. Through Kolleen’s and others’ advocacy, Johanna’s Law was passed in late 2006. Kolleen is a ten year ovarian cancer survivor.
“Kolleen’s will to live and to fight not only for herself but for all women of the world is amazing. She truly wants to save her life and save others,” says Dr. Kelly Manahan, president of WORD’s board, and Kolleen’s current physician. She continues, “It is truly an honor to partner with such an exceptional woman with such an important mission. It is great to be able to honor Kolleen and enhance her message by naming a research program that embodies what she dreams of: all women being diagnosed earlier and treated more effectively for ovarian cancer. Our hope is that in the near future there will be new diagnostic discoveries that will lead to a simple test to diagnose ovarian cancer ”
This program will look to link clinical gynecologic oncology practices with innovative professional scientific researchers and industry leaders. We are excited to announce that the first of these initiatives is already ongoing.
WORD is proud to begin a partnership with Dr. David Nolte and his team from Purdue University and Quadraspec, Inc. Dr. Nolte is the inventor of the BioCD. As described on their website, “The BioCD performs molecular diagnostics in the form of a compact disc. The BioCD, invented in the Adaptive Optics and Biophotonics group at Purdue University, combines the simplicity of spinning-disc interferometry (SDI) with the power of antibodies to detect disease. A conventional compact disc has 5 billion diffraction-limited pits encoding digital information. The motivation behind the BioCD is to turn a disc into 5 billion micro-test-tubes to test for every type of blood protein in a few drops of blood. The science of molecular interferometry combines the physics of laser coherence, quantum optics, light-matter interactions, and surface science, with molecular biology and biomedical diagnostics.”
In the next few months, the first data from these new studies will be analyzed. We believe in the coming year to gain important proteomic data that could lead to new diagnostic opportunities in the field of gynecologic cancer. If you would like more information on this program, please contact us.
WORDonCancer.org