Translational Advances in Gynecologic Cancers

Part I: Ovarian Cancer1. Origins of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer2. Ovarian Cancer Genomics3. Epigenetics4. Timing of Cytoreductive Surgery in the Treatment of Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma5. Angiogenesis6. Homologous Recombination and BRCA Genes in Ovarian Cancer: Clinical Perspective of Novel Therapeutics7. Molecular Basis of PARP Inhibition and Future Opportunities in Ovarian Cancer Therapy8. Ovarian Cancer: New Targets and Future Directions9. Novel Chemotherapy Tools: Intraperitoneal Therapy, Dose-Dense Therapy10. Updates on Rare Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Part II: Endometrial Cancer11. Endometrial Cancer Genomics12. Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping Procedures in Endometrial Cancer13. The Role of Radiation in Uterine Cancer

Part III: Cervical Cancer14. Novel Therapies for Advanced Cervical Cancer

Part IV: Vulvar Cancer15. New Therapies in Vulvar Cancer

Part V: Fertility and Cancer16. Fertility and Cancer: Fertility Preservation and Fertility Sparing Surgery

Dr. Michael Birrer is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, the Director of Medical Gynecologic Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology Research Program, and the Gellete Center for Gynecologic Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, Massachusetts. He is also a practicing physician at MGH.



The Birrer laboratory has had a long-term interest in characterizing the molecular origins of gynecologic cancers. This interest includes the identification and characterization of mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes within cancers of the ovary, endometrial and cervix. In addition, they have extensively characterized the differential gene expression in these tumors. The role of these genes in the development of these cancers has been tested using in vitro and in vivo model systems. The laboratory is focused on using the genomic events characterized in these cancers to produce translational science endeavors, which will result in clinically important discoveries. These genomic abnormalities form the basis for early detection assays, prevention strategies, and novel therapeutic approaches. Dr. Birrer's laboratory focuses on bench-to-bedside-and-back-again approaches to produce clinically relevant strategies to better manage women with these cancers. MD, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA