Release issued 23rd May 2008

Recent grant swings translational ovarian cancer research program into high gear

London, ON - On Sunday Lawson Health Research Institute’s Dr. Trevor Shepherd is
participating in London’s Run for Ovarian Cancer. His goal is not just to raise awareness for
this devastating disease, but to give back to the women who do the run each year.

The Ovarian Run is the reason why and how Dr. Shepherd does what he does. In January
2007, Dr. Shepherd was hired as the first Translational Oncology Scientist to organize the
efforts of the Translational Ovarian Cancer Research Program at the London Regional Cancer
Program at London Health Sciences Centre. The Run donates it proceeds through the
London Health Sciences Foundation in support of not only the program, but Dr. Shepherd’s
research, and with the recent announcement of his U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
concept award, the program is ready to swing into high gear.

A new twist to an old idea
The purpose of the U.S. DOD concept award is to test novel ideas and move these ideas
forward quickly advancing research. Dr. Shepherd and his team will be building a mouse
model to test a new hypothesis that the most common form of ovarian cancer arises from
cells in the fallopian tube which quickly spread to the nearby ovary.

“This idea [of fallopian tube origin] really threw a monkey wrench in where we thought
ovarian cancer originated - which was from unspecialized cells on the surface of the ovaries.
What we plan to do is build a mouse model that can be used to not only test this
hypothesis, but test new strategies for early detection and treatment of this aggressive form
of ovarian cancer,” says Dr. Shepherd. According to many cancer experts this is key to
fighting the disease.

Even though ovarian cancer continues to be the most lethal of the gynaecologic
malignancies with over 2300 Canadian women diagnosed with the disease each year, there
is a real lack in reliable early detection tests and few treatment options.

According to Dr. Shepherd, there is basically one first-line treatment given to ovarian cancer
patients. If patients do not respond to treatment, or if their cancer returns these women
now have a tolerance to this therapy making it ineffective. Their only option for second-line
therapy is participating in experimental treatments in clinical trials.

“Mouse models have really accelerated research in colon and breast cancer and that is what
we want to do for ovarian cancer. Models for ovarian cancer are few and far between and
this has hampered ovarian cancer research – the best way to see what is really going on
and recapitulate what the disease is comprised of is by viewing its progression in a living
organism,” says Dr. Shepherd.

Research that makes a difference – from the bench to bedside
The idea for this grant was born from a presentation at a journal club at the hospital. A
pathologist brought forward a paper for discussion that suggested this new possible origin
for ovarian cancer. Dr. Shepherd and Lawson colleague Dr. Gabriel DiMattia, both basic
scientists with expertise in mouse models, recognized this fallopian tube origin hypothesis
as a “hot area” in ovarian cancer research and applied for the DOD grant.

“Being awarded this grant is the culmination of exactly what we want this research program
to be – the flow of ideas between the bench and the bedside,” says Dr. Shepherd. The
group’s work is based on the concept that the translational application of fundamental, well
supported ovarian cancer research has the potential to vastly improve the outcome of
patients with ovarian cancer.

“Our research program is based on the sharing of ideas between scientist and clinician. By
being involved with practices that before were off limits to scientists, such as tumour board
meetings where patient cases are discussed, I have gained a better understanding of the
challenges clinicians are facing. This has allowed me to bring this knowledge back to the lab
and help guide my research to ensure it is clinically relevant…at the same time I have been
able to act as a resource to clinicians,” says Dr. Shepherd.

The end goal is to move both the basic science and clinical care of patients forward much
more quickly, increasing the quality of care. Now with grant funding in hand the London
program is quickly being recognized as a leader in ovarian cancer research.

The Big Picture
Six years ago, a small group of ovarian cancer survivors held the first run. Little did they
know the impact their event would have on the fight against ovarian cancer. Today, because
of their efforts, London has a team of dedicated scientists, clinicians, pathologists and
assistants who are working to find a cure.

On Sunday, Dr. Shepherd will lead the “Racing Researchers” as they walk and run with
these dedicated women, their friends and families. “It is easy for a basic scientist to work in
a bubble in his lab not thinking of the big picture, but for me, this is really why I do what I
do,” says Dr. Shepherd, “These women are our stakeholders…and I hope they realize the
impact they have on the fight against this disease, not only locally but nationally. Their
efforts really make a difference.”

Dr. Trevor Shepherd is a scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute, a Translational Oncology Scientist at the London Regional Cancer Program at London Health Sciences Centre, and an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Oncology & Anatomy & Cell Biology at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario.

Lawson Health Research Institute is the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and
St. Joseph's Health Care, London, and working in partnership with The University of Western Ontario, Lawson Health Research Institute is committed to furthering scientific knowledge to advance health care around the world.

London Health Sciences Foundation is a Better Business Bureau accredited charity, linking our
community and health care experts - including physicians, allied professionals, researchers, staff and educators - together in pursuit of medical excellence at London Health Sciences Centre.

Established to strengthen London Health Sciences Centre's ability to provide the highest quality health care for patients in Southwestern Ontario and beyond, we offer opportunities to support discovery and innovation in research, education and patient care at our hospital. To see how donations create positive moments changing the lives of patients, their family and friends, and to see how you can support patient care and innovation at London Health Sciences Centre, visit www.lhsf.ca

For more information, please contact:
Julia Capaldi
Lawson Health Research Institute
519-646-6100 ext. 61098
Julia.capaldi@sjhc.london.on.ca
www.lhrionhealth.ca

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