Lead researcher
Ms Emily Chan, PhD student at the University of Melbourne
Main finding
Combined treatment with paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic, and momelotinib, a specific inhibitor of a key biochemical pathway, reduced the tumor burden in mice injected with human ovarian cancer cell lines, significantly greater than that achieved by paclitaxel-treatment alone.
Continuation of momelotinib after termination of paclitaxel treatment showed sustained inhibition
of tumor growth and a prolonged disease-free survival period.
Centre
Centre for Reproductive Health
Research group
Ovarian biology
Journal and article title
Most surprising
The treatment combination of paclitaxel and momelotinib in a mouse model of ovarian cancer is novel.
Future implications
These preliminary findings in a mouse model may have a profound clinical impact in developing an
effective momelotinib-based ‘maintenance-therapy’ in ovarian cancer patients’ postchemotherapy
treatment. Since both drugs are cleared for use in humans, this should facilitate transition to clinical trials.
Disease/health impact
Ovarian cancer
Other points of interest
It is important to emphasize that this is not a potential cure for ovarian cancer, but a method to reduce the tumor burden and increase the remission period after treatment.
