CU Anschutz Gynecologic Oncology Winter/Spring 2024 Newsletter

May 6, 2024

Welcome Message

By Kian Behbakht, MD, MBA

Greetings patients, survivors, loved ones, and supporters! Since our last newsletter, I am honored to announce the official opening of the CU Anschutz Ovarian Cancer Innovations Group (OCIG) Workspace on the 5th floor of the Fitzsimmons building at the University of Colorado Anschutz campus. The OCIG has a rich history, dating back to the visionary ideas of Carol Goldstein and the Gynecologic Oncology Community Council nearly 10 years ago. Our new workspace represents a significant milestone and provides a physical hub where we can foster collaboration and exchange innovative Ideas. Please join me in welcoming Freda Ireigbe, our new OCIG Program Manager.

This is an exciting time for the OCIG! In addition to the highly anticipated 3rd Annual Ovarian Cancer Think Tank at the University of Colorado Anschutz, scheduled for October 8-9, 2024, we are also at the forefront of at least 4 cutting-edge trials for ovarian cancer early detection and prevention. I encourage you all to stay tuned as we embark on this journey of exploration and innovation.

Katie Taylor Memorial Endowed Chair in Ovarian Cancer Research

Research Breakthroughs

By Benjamin Bitler, PhD

Since fall 2023, the Gynecologic Oncology Research Group has made notable strides within the field, publishing over 17 publications in prestigious clinical and pre-clinical journals.

This past March, Bradley Corr, MD, and colleagues presented the results of a clinical trial for patients with endometrial cancer at the 46th Annual Meeting for the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists in San Diego, California. The multi-institutional national trial, led by Dr. Corr and his team at the University of Colorado Anschutz, was a Phase II, randomized, double-blind study comparing rucaparib to placebo maintenance therapy in metastatic and recurrent endometrial cancer. Results showed that patients who received the medication rucaparib had a significantly longer time without progression of their disease compared to those who received the placebo. The benefit was a median of 19 months. Rucaparib, a PARP inhibitor drug, is approved for other cancers such as breast, ovarian, and prostate. However, this was the first study to demonstrate an improvement as a single drug in endometrial cancer. This impactful trial prompts further molecular analysis by Dr. Corr's team.

Benjamin Bitler, PhD and Matthew Sikora, PhD, received a $3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to fund a five-year project examining genetic risk factors for ovarian cancer across different ethnic communities.

Zachary Watson, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, received a $75,000 grant from the Rivkin Center in Seattle to study how ovarian cancer develops in post-menopausal women, aiming to improve early detection and treatment strategies.

Why Providers Do What We Do: A Letter from Patient to Provider

Dearest,

If it were not for you, I know I would certainly not be alive almost 9 years after first being diagnosed in 2012 with ovarian cancer. I also know you say you treat all your patients the same and that is admirable but I choose not to believe it. I feel special to you and I like that feeling.

I have worked to raise funds for the division because that is what you asked me to do and the fact that I have had some success in this regard is as much due to my belief in you as it is in my belief that I can do anything when motivated, which you have done. So, as I pass, Kian, please know that I have and do appreciate everything you have done for me and with me. I believe you can take the “chair” and create something really important for the future. I'll be watching from someplace else and sending love.

Carol

Grant Spotlight

Groundbreaking and innovative research thrives on funding, and we're thrilled to share that our dedicated faculty in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, in collaboration with the Division of Reproductive Sciences at the University of Colorado Anschutz, has recently secured multiple significant research grants! These awards pave the way for new discoveries.

Bradley Corr, MD, an Associate Professor in Gynecologic Oncology, has received an NIH/NCI R01 grant, totaling $2.2 million, to investigate combining CLK/DYRK (cirtuvivint) and Olaparib (PARP inhibition) against platinum-resistant BRCA/HRD ovarian cancer, translating lab findings into clinical treatments.

Christine Walsh MD, MS, a Professor, received a grant from the Cancer League of Colorado, Inc. for the CU-GENES study. The study aims to establish a gynecologic cancer registry, analyze testing patterns, and implement prevention strategies to increase access to genetic testing, educate the community, and reduce cancer incidence and mortality.

Nicole Marjon, MD, PhD, an Assistant Professor, received the 2024 Early Career Investigator Grant from the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA). She aims to use a CXCR2 inhibitor to reduce myeloid-derived suppressor cells, boosting T cell activity and improving patient outcomes.

Lindsay Brubaker, MD, an Assistant Professor, received the Department of Defense (DoD) Ovarian Cancer Academy Early Career Investigator Award. Her research team will use the grant to develop new drugs and test existing drugs that may function as a new, targeted, anti-cancer therapy. She aims to develop less toxic treatments for high-grade serous carcinoma, improving patient quality of life.

Faculty Profile: Lindsay Brubaker, MD

By Lindsay Brubaker, MD

Lindsay Brubaker, MD is a Gynecologic Oncologist and physician scientist at the University of Colorado Anschutz. She started her practice at the CU Anschutz and Cherry Creek Medical Center in 2020, after completing her fellowship here in Colorado and residency at Stanford University.

Dr. Brubaker's clinical practice is dedicated to the care of ovarian, tubal and primary peritoneal cancer patients, as well as patients with uterine or cervical cancer. She is proud to offer innovative clinical care with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for patients with high grade serous carcinoma, and access to clinical trials for all patients. Dr. Brubaker also has a particular interest in rare ovarian cancers such as clear cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the ovary, as well as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Providing clinical care at Cherry Creek Medical Center in downtown Denver allows patients the opportunity to receive care close to home in an easily accessible medical campus, including clinical care, labs, imaging, and an infusion center, while still having direct access to the primary Anschutz Medical Campus, where Dr. Brubaker sees patients, provides chemotherapy, and does surgery.

Dr. Brubaker's research is focused on therapy resistant high grade serous carcinoma. Dr. Brubaker and Benjamin Bitler, PhD, have identified Chromobox 2 (CBX2) as a driving factor in high-grade serous carcinoma and are working on a means of inhibiting CBX2 to slow the growth of high-grade serous carcinoma. In 2021, Dr. Brubaker was awarded the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) early career investigator award to fund this work, and in early 2024, Dr. Brubaker was awarded the prestigious Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Academy Early Career Investigator Award to continue this work through 2028. Dr. Brubaker is excited to take advantage of this opportunity to work with and learn from ovarian cancer researchers from around the world.

Dr. Brubaker is also involved in clinical research with a particular interest in palliative care and medical education.