Research
Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine focuses on providing exceptional patient care while linking basic science with clinical and translational research to develop the next generation of innovative approaches to the treatment and prevention of gynecologic cancers.
From our work on the Ovarian Cancer Moon Shot and the HPV-Related Cancers Moon Shot to the development of the Anderson Algorithm, our pioneering research aims to rapidly translate new knowledge into clinical trials for improved treatment or prevention strategies.
Developmental therapeutics & immunotherapy
Focused on innovation in cancer treatment, the Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine has a robust portfolio of ongoing clinical trials. Our researchers are developing new agents for the treatment of ovarian cancer, recurrent and advanced endometrial cancer, conservative treatment and management of precancerous lesions, and using the exciting new approach of immunotherapy to improve responses across disease sites.
Read more about our current clinical trials.
Innovative surgery
The Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine is a leading department in surgical research, with a series of ongoing trials to advance treatment options for gynecologic cancer patients and improve their quality of life. Our surgeons focus on improving outcomes by minimally invasive or advanced robotic techniques.
Since the initiation of the Innovative Surgery Working Group in 2005 under the leadership of Dr. Pedro Ramirez, the department and its investigators have generated a significant number of multi-institutional studies with high scientific impact.
Among the current surgical studies is sentinel lymph node (SLN) surgery for women with high-risk endometrial cancers. The less-invasive procedure could serve as a staging tool for endometrial cancers, decrease morbidity and change the standard of care.
Additionally, the team is conducting a prospective randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic or robotic radical hysterectomy versus abdominal radical hysterectomy in patients with early stage cervical cancer, evaluating recurrence-free survival and overall survival.
Health Services Research
The multidisciplinary field of health services research explores the delivery of care, improving access to care in underserved populations, patient-reported outcomes and survivorship. The driving force behind this extensive research is improving the patient experience.
Prevention
Providing comprehensive care means our researchers investigate all facets of gynecologic cancer, including prevention. Prevention research is key to reducing the number of women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers worldwide.
The department's prevention services include:
- Colposcopy clinic for pre-invasive cervix, vaginal and vulvar disease
- High-risk clinic for women at inherited risk for ovarian and endometrial cancer
- Education and HPV vaccination clinics for HPV-related cancers
- Global initiatives to assist low- and middle-income countries in their efforts to prevent and diagnose cervical cancer
Additionally, the department has an Oncofertility clinic to give men and women options to preserve fertility before cancer treatment.
Basic Science & Translational Research
With the goal of improving treatment or prevention strategies, our clinically-driven basic science investigators have a mature research portfolio which includes:
- Microenvironment - exploring the interaction between the tumor and its surroundings
- Biology – angiogenesis, nanoparticles for delivery of therapeutics
- Hereditary cancer syndromes – understanding the genetics of risk and mechanisms of prevention
- Biology of rare tumors