Role of ARID1A in endometrial proliferation, endometriosis and endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer pathogenesis

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Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death from cancer in women. There are 4 major types of ovarian cancer. The clear-cell and endometrioid types of ovarian cancer are related to a condition called endometriosis. The latter is a common cause of pelvic pain and infertility. Clear-cell cancer in particular, is very difficult to treat when it has spread because currently available chemotherapies are not effective. Recent research has identified a gene, called ARID1A, which appears to play a role in these two types of ovarian cancer. Specifically, mutations of this gene are found in approximately a third of endometrioid cancers and a half of clear cell cancers as well as in endometriosis. This research project aims to find out how mutations in ARID1A cause cancer. This will involve testing the effects of the mutation on growth and hormonal control in cells cultured in a petri dish. It will also involve experiments in mice that have this gene mutation. If we are able to understand better how this mutation causes cancer, then we will be able to design better treatments that will allow these patients to live longer or have less symptoms.