BACKGROUND:
Disease Background. In 2010, an estimated 21,880 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and an estimated 13,850 will die from the disease. Ovarian cancer ranks second among gynecological cancers in the number of new cases and first among gynecological cancers in the number of deaths each year. Ovarian cancer is often without overt or specific symptoms until late in its development; most women, therefore, are diagnosed with advanced-stage disease. Women diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer have a 5-year survival rate of only approximately 46%. However, those with early-stage ovarian cancer have a 94% 5-year relative survival rate, thus emphasizing the need for early diagnosis. 1
Overview of the Program. Since its inception in 1997, the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) has funded research that will lead to better understanding and control of ovarian cancer. The DOD OCRP has impacted scientific progress in ovarian cancer by building critical research resources; supporting innovative, high-impact research; and bringing talented investigators into the ovarian cancer field. The program has built a multidisciplinary portfolio encompassing etiology, prevention, detection/diagnosis, therapeutics, quality of life, and behavioral research that complements that of other funding agencies.
Research awards are made using a two-tier process consisting of peer and programmatic review. Peer review evaluates the scientific merit of research proposals, and programmatic review determines the programmatic relevance of research proposals to the OCRP vision and mission. Ovarian cancer survivors (consumers) participate with scientists and clinicians at both levels of review. In addition, consumers partner with scientists and clinicians to deliberate issues and concerns unique to ovarian cancer, guide the OCRP vision and investment strategies, and make funding recommendations.
The DOD OCRP's success has encouraged Congress to appropriate additional funds each year since its inception; a total of $160.45M has been appropriated for the DOD OCRP through FY10. Through FY09, a total of 213 awards has been made.
Program Outcomes. In FY10, the Ovarian Cancer Academy (OCA) was launched. Reducing the burden of ovarian cancer requires scientists and clinicians that specialize in this ovarian cancer research. The purpose of this Academy is to provide a unique virtual, interactive, career development and research-training platform to talented junior faculty who are committed to building and sustaining productive careers in ovarian cancer research. The inaugural class of the OCA consists of seven early career investigators from different institutions, their mentors and an Academy Dean.
Progress in ovarian cancer research resulting from OCRP funding can be gauged in part by the number of resultant publications (574), patents applied for/obtained (37), and research resources and applications developed (902) by awardees to date. Recent highlighted research is located in the OCRP Program Booklet and under Research Highlights and Consumer Highlights. Details on individual awards are located under Search Awards.
For more information, please contact CDMRP.PublicAffairs@amedd.army.mil
1 American Cancer Society - Cancer Facts and Figures 2010.
Disease Background. In 2010, an estimated 21,880 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and an estimated 13,850 will die from the disease. Ovarian cancer ranks second among gynecological cancers in the number of new cases and first among gynecological cancers in the number of deaths each year. Ovarian cancer is often without overt or specific symptoms until late in its development; most women, therefore, are diagnosed with advanced-stage disease. Women diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer have a 5-year survival rate of only approximately 46%. However, those with early-stage ovarian cancer have a 94% 5-year relative survival rate, thus emphasizing the need for early diagnosis. 1
Overview of the Program. Since its inception in 1997, the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) has funded research that will lead to better understanding and control of ovarian cancer. The DOD OCRP has impacted scientific progress in ovarian cancer by building critical research resources; supporting innovative, high-impact research; and bringing talented investigators into the ovarian cancer field. The program has built a multidisciplinary portfolio encompassing etiology, prevention, detection/diagnosis, therapeutics, quality of life, and behavioral research that complements that of other funding agencies.
Research awards are made using a two-tier process consisting of peer and programmatic review. Peer review evaluates the scientific merit of research proposals, and programmatic review determines the programmatic relevance of research proposals to the OCRP vision and mission. Ovarian cancer survivors (consumers) participate with scientists and clinicians at both levels of review. In addition, consumers partner with scientists and clinicians to deliberate issues and concerns unique to ovarian cancer, guide the OCRP vision and investment strategies, and make funding recommendations.
The DOD OCRP's success has encouraged Congress to appropriate additional funds each year since its inception; a total of $160.45M has been appropriated for the DOD OCRP through FY10. Through FY09, a total of 213 awards has been made.
Program Outcomes. In FY10, the Ovarian Cancer Academy (OCA) was launched. Reducing the burden of ovarian cancer requires scientists and clinicians that specialize in this ovarian cancer research. The purpose of this Academy is to provide a unique virtual, interactive, career development and research-training platform to talented junior faculty who are committed to building and sustaining productive careers in ovarian cancer research. The inaugural class of the OCA consists of seven early career investigators from different institutions, their mentors and an Academy Dean.
Progress in ovarian cancer research resulting from OCRP funding can be gauged in part by the number of resultant publications (574), patents applied for/obtained (37), and research resources and applications developed (902) by awardees to date. Recent highlighted research is located in the OCRP Program Booklet and under Research Highlights and Consumer Highlights. Details on individual awards are located under Search Awards.
For more information, please contact CDMRP.PublicAffairs@amedd.army.mil
1 American Cancer Society - Cancer Facts and Figures 2010.
