Nora Disis receives grant for Ovarian Cancer research

The Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research, in partnership with Washington state’s Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund, has awarded Nora Disis, MD, director of the Cancer Vaccine Institute at the University of Washington, a $300,000 grant to advance the development of a vaccine designed to prevent ovarian cancer’s metastatic spread. The Rivkin Center/CARE Fund Awards support research with the potential to transform ovarian cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes.

Recurrent ovarian cancer that is resistant to chemotherapy is especially difficult to treat. Dr. Disis is optimizing an ovarian cancer vaccine that has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and make tumors more sensitive to chemotherapy. 

She will compare standard needle-based injection with an innovative vaccine delivery method that delivers DNA on gold beads through the skin and improves mucosal immunity. Her hypothesis is that this gold bead delivery method is a better way to vaccinate and may lead to a stronger anti-cancer immune response. If successful, this research will pave the way to a clinical trial for the vaccine.

“Ovarian cancer research needs bold ideas, and Dr. Disis is a leader in the development of cancer vaccines,” said Molly O’Connor, CEO of the Rivkin Center. “Ovarian cancer patients who have received her vaccines are already living better, longer lives. This new research has the potential to bring hope for so many more.”

Ovarian cancer remains the deadliest gynecological cancer because there is still no test to detect it in its earliest, most treatable and most survivable stages. While treatment options have improved, a late diagnosis means that fewer than half of the women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will survive beyond five years.