Current Research: Microenvironmental Factors that Influence Metastasis in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSOC)
High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, with majority of cases being diagnosed following metastasis to distal sites. Metastasis occurs predominantly via a transcoelomic process in which single cells or spheroids metastasize to the most prevalent secondary sites of mesentery and omentum. The adhesion mechanisms of disseminating tumor cells at metastatic sites are not well understood. My project aims to identify the processes mediating adhesion at each secondary site for single cells and spheroids. Additionally, the role of the tumor microenvironment in metastatic adhesion requires further investigation. I will be utilizing diet induced obesity and collagen mutation mouse models to recapitulate obesity and fibrosis and analyzing tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Investigation into the metastatic processes of HGSOC will identify targets to slow the progression of disease.