Investigation of the pathophysiology of granulosa cell tumours of the ovary

This research project investigates the effects of an innovative drug combination in the treatment of granulosa cell tumours (GCT) of the ovary. Using tumour cells derived from cancer patients and state-of-the-art technologies, we examined the growth, cell death and other changes induced by the two drugs, Smac mimetics and rosiglitazone. We found that these two drugs work co-operatively to impair metabolism of the cancer cells and their ability to spread. Subsequently, cancer cell growth ceased and cell death was observed. These promising pre-clinical data support further investigation into the combined treatment as cancer therapeutic in GCT.