COX-2 gene doubles risk of ovarian cancer:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Variations in the COX-2 gene can double or even treble a woman's risk of ovarian cancer. In a 727-patient study, Portuguese researchers found that a specific allele of the gene doubled the risk of the disease, and trebled the likelihood in women under 53. Since other COX-2 influenced diseases can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), the finding raises the possibility of a theranostic test for the disease, said the researchers, based at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology in Porto. It is thought that NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, could be used to help prevent ovarian cancer in those who test positive. The results were presented at the conference of the European CanCer Organisation (ECCO) in Barcelona, Spain, from 23-27 September.