Abstract TMEM-033: DEVELOPING A MONKEY MODEL FOR SPONTANEOUS TYPE I OVARIAN CANCER

Abstract

Abstract The goal of this research project is to investigate if Non-Human Primates (NHP) can serve as model for endometriosis-associated Type I ovarian cancer. Endometriosis is a spontaneously occurring condition in both women and rhesus macaques. Endometriosis is likely caused by aberrant retrograde menstruation of endometrial epithelium that implants and grows on the serosal surfaces of the ovaries, uterus, urinary bladder, intestines and abdominal peritoneum. Several studies have shown direct association between endometriosis and two histological subtypes of Type I ovarian cancer- clear cell ovarian carcinoma (CCOC) and low grade serous endometrioid ovarian cancer (EnOC). Genetically altered mouse models for Type I and II ovarian cancer and are contributing significantly to our understanding of the biology of this malignancy. Since rodents do not have menstrual cycles, there are no mouse models for spontaneous endometriosis and Type I ovarian tumors. On the other hand, between 10-30% of female rhesus macaques of reproductive age develop endometriosis. A survey of pathology reports at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) identified cases of ovarian and peritoneal neoplasia in monkeys that also had endometriosis. This is a typical feature of CCOC and EnOC in humans where tumors are found adjacent to atypical endometriotic lesions. We are conducting immunohistological analysis to study the molecular phenotype of endometriosis and the ovarian and peritoneal neoplasia in the rhesus macaque. We will discuss our findings on the expression of important molecular markers of ovarian cancer (CA125, EpCAM, mesothelin, ARID1A, and others) in the non-human primate reproductive organs as well as in endometriotic explants and in ovarian and peritoneal neoplasms from the female rhesus. The data we will present and our on-going efforts to sequence the genome and transcriptome of normal and aberrant reproductive tissue samples of female rhesus monkeys will be essential in determining if the rhesus can be used as a model for CCOC and EnOC. Citation Format: Mildred Felder, Arvinder Kapur, Heather Simmons, David Abbott, and Manish S. Patankar. DEVELOPING A MONKEY MODEL FOR SPONTANEOUS TYPE I OVARIAN CANCER [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 12-13, 2016; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr TMEM-033.