LINDA , FRIEND - AND RA HIRAKTI

Slow news day. This maybe usefull https://www.everydayhealth.com/ovarian-cancer/things-to-read-watch-and-listen-to-about-ovarian-cancer/

GENETICS COUNSILOR

My wonderful and intelligent daughter Kristen (center; white coat) trained to be a genetics councilor. Although fully qualified, through a combination of unlucky circumstances, mostly economic, she was unable to secure a suitable position. She now holds an important job as a data analyst for a hospital chain. She is happy, healthy and (well, almost) wealthy now, but I am sorry she didn’t get to follow her plotted course. Here is a glimps of what she would have been doing. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGqQctTXSHBCHwsvMtHCsdNBgbW

MISSMATCH REPAIR

Linda with yet another baby I am still struggling with this new Windows operating system (which was foisted on me, all unknowing, in the dead of night several weeks ago) in an effort to create well organized, attractive and readable blog postings. So there is nothing much of useful information here. Sorry. But: you know about the harmful effects of mutations of the BRCA genes. Turns out there is another mutation they look for: MMR. This stands for mismatch repair. When a cell divides, as you have known for years, the two strands of the DNA double helix separate and are copied to form the code for the new cells. As there are literally billions of bases to copy, inevitably some mistakes occur; MMR searches them out and repairs them. If the MMR gene is buggered, unrepaired mutations will accumulate – and some combination of them may lead to cancer. Google MMR and see if you can understand what comes forth. Now to see if I can post this properly.

LINDA WITH UNKNOWN BABY SNATCHED FROM PARKED CAR!

Here is a PBS film clip on ovarian cancer risk-assessment. Speaks for itself. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/whos-at-the-greatest-risk-of-ovarian-cancer

LINDA WITH ELLA (?), AND CAT

\ You all know that mutations in the BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 genes render a woman much more at risk from breast and ovarian cancer. Heretofore that information has been quite useful as a warning to women carrying such mutations to form a tight and immediate acquaintanceship with a damned good oncologist. (The problem of course is that few women actually know their BRCA status.) Now, however, thanks to the donation described in this article, scientists will be able to research ways to frustrate the knavish tricks (to quote the British national anthem) of the malfunctioning BRCA gene, thus sparing many women a lifetime of worry. This makes me wish that I had spent my life accumulating money, instead of entries on a publication list. I would like to be able to gift Fred Hutch with a cool $50 million. But, nah - I’d have made a piss-poor capitalist. https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/55m-gift-creates-new-cancer-interception-institute-penns-basser-center-brca-stop-hereditary

LINDA AND LAYRA HANSEN

You know how it works, DNA carries the code for what we are; proteins follow that code to do the work. However, there are intermediate steps. Something pries the DNA double helix apart, enabling genes to be “read” and converted into a molecule called mRNA, where the m stands for “messenger”, and the RMA part consists of a single-stranded molecule much like DNA. The purpose of mRNA is to transport the DNA code to a complicated bio-object called a ribosome, where it is “read” and converted into a protein. But, of course, you knew all that. Anyway, if your DNA is carrying something undesirable, you can attempt to halt the process by (1) correcting the malfunctioning gene, (2) somehow destroying the protein at birth, or (3) waylaying the pernicious mRNA object on its way to the ribosome. (2) is the usual practice; (1) is the goal of much investigation, while (3) as many of you know is the basis of many of our attempts to disarm the Covid virus. So, anyway, some smart people in Oregon are working on a way to use mRNA therapy to combat OVCA and a bunch of related diseases. Their mouse-models are encouraging. Read all about it below. It’s relatively easy going. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/09/220913140855.htm

LINDA AND AMANDA

I post this as an example of how basic research concerning ovarian cancer is conducted. We already know that the most lethal type of OVCA originates because of mutations in the fallopian tubes, This study aims at determining what kinds of cells are most vulnerable, and where they are located. This sort of science is difficult to pursue, and expensive, but probably is the only way ever to rid ourselves of this damnable disease! https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-highlights/ovarian-cancer-research-highlights/researchers-study-fallopian-tube-cells-from-cancer-free-women-to-learn-about-origins-of-ovarian-cancer.html

LINDA IN ECUADOR

Here is a summary of where we stand in our war against ovarian cancer. Not entirely encouraging. https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-highlights/ovarian-cancer-research-highlights.html

EKPERIMENT

GEMM

Ah, bless the little mouse, once again! Do you know what is meant by the letters GEMM? Well, I do now. It stands for “genetically engineered mouse model”. In constructing a GEMM one apparently modifies the normal murine genome in such a way as to cause the poor rodent to contract something like a human disorder, then experiment to find a cure. The research described below is of that nature. The participants have identified a protein that dramatically assists in the growth of ovarian cancer. This protein (USP13) is very scarce in normal ovarian tissue but abundant in cases of disease. More research is underway to determine how USP13 does its dirty work and, of course, how to strangle it at birth. https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-highlights/ovarian-cancer-research-highlights/a-new-gene-is-linked-with-the-deadliest-type-of-ovarian-cancer.html

AND MORE PROGRESS

Linda and Ramses As we have discussed many times, early detection of ovarian cancer is vital. A combined British – American research project seems to have made significant progress toward that goal. Here are the details: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/ovarian-cancer-detection-takes-a-step-forward-thanks-to-wilmot

INCHING FORWARD

Trondheim Not much of an advance, but worth noting nonetheless. Another reason to know your BRCA status. https://www.onclive.com/view/olaparib-maintenance-provides-sustained-os-benefit-in-newly-diagnosed-brca-mutated-advanced-ovarian-cancer?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=09102022_OncLive_Eisai%20Lenvima_ESMO%20C360_US%20ONLY&eKey=bWViZWNranJAZ21haWwuY29t

AN EXPERIMENT

I have been wrestling with Windows for about a week, so far, Windows is the clear victor. I suspect that Microsoft, in its supreme wisdom, changed its OS from something I cannot fathom. This is an experiment, to see if my luck has changed, If this shows up in anything like its customary form, know that I am a happy man!

PROGRESS