Impactful Research
Dr. Guntupalli and Dr. Wheeler recently published a study alongside CU Family Planning that found substantially lower incidences of ovarian cancer was associated with ever IUD use, as compared among women who never used IUDs. The reduced cancer risk was between 15 to 32%.CU Division of Gynecologic Oncology
A Message from the Division Chief
Welcome to the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Colorado. We are the largest group of physicians dedicated to women's cancer care in the Rocky Mountain region and the United States with an unsurpassed surgical and medical expertise. Our group of 12 gynecologic oncologists and advanced pelvic surgeons offer state of the art surgical interventions, cutting edge chemotherapy, we have done more HIPEC cases than anyone in the country, and offer a vast array of clinical trials to best tailor treatment to our individual patient's needs. As a member the University of Colorado Cancer Center, the only National Comprehensive Cancer Center in the region, our patients receive the latest cancer expertise as well as holistic care aimed at treating the whole patient.
Saketh R. Guntupalli, MD, FACOG, FACS
Professor and Karen M. Jennison Endowed Chair in Gynecologic Oncology
Vice Chair Faculty Affairs and Development
Division Chief
CU Gynecologic Oncology
About CU Gynecologic Oncology
The University of Colorado Gynecologic Oncology is made up of 14 full-time clinical faculty members dedicated to the treatment of cancerous and non-cancerous gynecological conditions. We have the largest board-certified gynecologic oncology team in Colorado, providing care across the state of Colorado. With access to an intensive care unit, cutting-edge equipment and facilities, as well as multiple teams of subspecialists in female health, we address even the most complex cases.
Designated high-performing by US News & World Report in the area of ovarian cancer surgery!
Medical research is the engine that drives CU Gynecologic Oncology as we conduct more clinical trials and research than any other gynecologic oncology practice in the state of Colorado. Our research faculty focus on clinical, translational, and basic science approaches to finding novel treatments for gynecological cancers. Clinical trials and research efforts result in innovative care and more effective treatment for some of the most complex medical cases, as well as for more common gynecologic oncology conditions.
We are currently involved in clinical trials for cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, vulvar cancer, peritoneal cancer, fallopian tube cancer and the effects of diet and exercise on gynecologic cancers.
Currently Enrolling Clinical Trials
OCRP-Pilot Award MPI: Bitler, Yamamoto
07/01/2018-06/30/2020 DOD
Targeting Claudin-4 in PARP Inhibitor Resistant Ovarian Cancer
Research Grant PI: Watson
07/01/2019-06/30/2020 CANCER LEAGUE COLORADO
Investigating Histone Acetylation in PARP Inhibitor Resistant Ovarian Cancer
Collaborative Award MPI: Behbakht, Bitler
01/01/2020-12/31/2020 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO CANCER CENTER DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
Modeling Ovarian Cancer in the Presence of an Immune System
Mentored Member Pilot PI: Bitler
01/01/2020-12/31/2020 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO CANCER CENTER DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
Wnt/Beta-Catenin Promotes Immune Evasion of Chemoresistant Ovarian Cancer
Chancellor Fund MPI: Bitler, Wheeler
02/01/2020-1/31/2021 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
Development of a CBX2 Inhibitory Peptide
AWD-195298 PI: Corr
07/01/2020-06/30/2021 AMERICAN ASSOC OF OBSTETRICIANS & GYNECOLOGY
Classification of CTNNB1 Mutation for Biomarker Driven Treatment of Endometrial Cancer
CV185-394_AMD01 MPI: Guntupalli, Behbakht
03/09/2015-03/09/2022 BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
The Safety of Oral Apixaban (Eliquis) versus Subcutaneous Enoxaparin (Lovenox) for Thromboprophylaxis in Women with Suspected Pelvic Malignancy; a Prospective Randomized Open Blinded End-point (PROBE) Design
AWD-164543_NCE PI: Guntupalli
03/17/2017-03/16/2022 STRYKER CORP
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Ultrasonic Aspiration Verus CO2 Laser Ablation for the Treatment of Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia
AWD-175269_AMD02 PI: Guntupalli
08/14/2017-08/13/2022 MITRABIOTECH
CANscript Clinical outcomEs in a Real-world Setting (ANCERS)-2: A prospective, multicenter, observational study examining the clinical utility of CANscript in routine clinical practice
American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award PI: Bitler
01/01/2020–12/31/2023 AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
Elucidating the Role of Chromobox 2 in Ovarian Cancer Progression
AWD-184563 PI: Corr
01/28/2019-01/27/2024 CLOVIS ONCOLOGY
A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Study of the use of Rucaparib vs. Placebo Maintenance Therapy in Metastatic and Recurrent Endometrial Cancer
Learn about the Gynecologic Oncology Research Group
In the Gynecologic Oncology Research Group our ultimate research objectives are to aid in the discovery and optimization of precision medicine-based anti-cancer therapeutics for gynecological cancers.
CU Gynecologic Oncology Research in the News
CU Researchers Come Together to Better Understand Ovarian Cancer Tumors and Treatment Outcomes
CU Cancer Center
Sept 15, 2020
After nearly four years of work, a group of researchers and clinicians from the University of Colorado (CU) published a paper this week in the Clinical Cancer Research that shares findings from research looking at how the composition of ovarian cancer tumors changes during chemotherapy and contributes to therapeutic response...
Oral Apixaban Preferable for Preventing Postsurgery VTE in Patients With Gynecologic Cancer
Oncology Learning Network
August 10, 2020
Findings from a multi-center clinical trial of patients undergoing surgery for gynecologic cancer showed that oral apixaban was easier and less painful to administer than subcutaneous enoxaparin...
Oral Apixaban Shows Safe, Beneficial Thrombosis Prevention Post-Surgery
HCP Live
July 16, 2020
In findings from a new study conducted by US investigators, apixaban provided safe, more tolerable, and easily-administered preventive care compared to subcutaneous enoxaparin for patients at risk of bleeding events following gynecologic cancer-related surgery...
Ovarian Cancer Cells’ Dependence on Fat Opens up Potential New Treatment
GEN Magazine
Mar 20, 2020
Once ovarian cancer cells slough off from their site of origin, they tend to find a new home in tissues with high fat content. Now, researchers have shown that those ovarian cancer cells use fats as an energy source...
Targeting a key protein may keep ovarian cancer cells from spreading
Penn State News
July 11, 2019
In a study with cell cultures, the researchers identified the protein as a potential therapeutic target for high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells. Approximately 70% of patients with this type of ovarian cancer relapse with chemo-resistant disease, increasing the need for new approaches to treatment...
Q & A with Kian Behbakht
Colorado Cancer Blogs
Dec 7, 2017
Twenty years ago, Kian Behbakht, MD started researching ovarian cancer at a time when there was not much hope for women diagnosed with the disease. Here he talks about how growing awareness for the condition has brought new resources that have helped drive the pace of discovery...
Our faculty are dedicated to educating medical students, residents and fellows in the comprehensive care of women with cancer of the reproductive organs and fostering the development of future physician-scientists and leaders within the field of gynecologic oncology.
Division of Gynecologic Oncology Education Mission
Learn more about our fellowship program:
Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship
The Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship at the University of Colorado is a three-year ACGME accredited program accepting one fellow per year. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Colorado started its fellowship in 2009.
CU Gynecologic Oncology faculty are dedicated to providing care for gynecological oncology patients across Colorado and neighboring states through in-person and telemedicine appointments. Additionally, our faculty travel to nearby states and community hospitals, educating rural providers on recent advancements in the treatment of gynecological cancers. At CU Gynecologic Oncology we pride ourselves in our commitment to local patient/survivor nonprofit groups as we seek to providing them with educational resources and support their community outreach missions in every way we can.
Community Outreach in the News
Wear Teal Day
Great Day Colorado
September 2, 2022
Saketh Guntupalli, MD, and survivor, Winona Williams, talk with Fox31's Great Day Colorado about Wear Teal Day. Teal is the color associated with Ovarian Cancer. It is meant to raise awareness since 220 Colorado Women lose their battle with cancer every year. It is a cancer that normally doesn't get diagnosed until it is too late.
Help Raise Awareness About Ovarian Cancer
Denver 7
September 2, 2022
Kian Behbakht, MD, and his patient, Tina Sono-Gies, talk with Denver7's Mile High Living about the subtle signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer - one of the deadliest gynecologic cancers.
CU Medicine Partners with St. Mary's
WesternSlopeNow.com
Jan 24, 2020
Dr. Bradley Corr, a Gynecologic Oncologist at CU School of Medicine, stopped by the studio to talk about cervical cancer and a new program being offered at St. Mary’s Cancer Center... which aims to provide more specialized gynecological care for women on the Western Slope by bringing specialists to the area once a month.
Ovarian cancer called 'disease that whispers'
The Denver Channel
June 3, 2019
Research is an incredibly important part of what I do and what we do here at UCHealth,” said Dr. Guntupali. “So we're just kinda moving that needle further along in this battle.” Three years after diagnosis, Peyton is now a model who has traveled the world. She says she doesn't know if she would be modeling today if it weren't for her cancer fight.
22-Year-Old Battling Ovarian Cancer Wants Others To Know Subtle Symptoms
CBS Denver
June 6, 2019
Although Guntupalli has diagnosed a patient as young at 15 years old with ovarian cancer, he says it's most common for women in their late 50s and 60s. “For patients to get it in their 20s or their 30s is exceedingly rare,” he said, adding, “I'd say about only 3% - 4% of all of the women that are going to get ovarian cancer are going to get it at an age of 35 or even 30.”
Supporting our Community
CU Gynecologic Oncology recently partnered with St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction to bring specialized Gynecologic Oncology care to Colorado’s Western Slope.Supported by our Community
Kian Behbakht, MD, is the inaugural Emily McClintock Addlesperger Endowed Chair in Ovarian Cancer. This thoughtful investment - made in memory of the McClintocks’ beloved daughter, Emily Celeste Addlesperger, who passed away of complications from ovarian cancer. This gift will advance research on screening and early detection of ovarian cancer