David E. Cohn, M.D.
Ohio State University Research Foundation
Novel Active Immunization Strategies in the Prevention and Therapy of Women at the Risk of Ovarian Cancer
Project Summary
Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the United States, due to both late diagnosis and limited options for therapy disease. The dissemination of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant organs through the blood is a characteristic of cancer progression. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, has been demonstrated to be necessary for the growth and spread of solid tumors, including ovarian cancer. Investigation of angiogenesis has led to a better understanding of the process of tumor metastasis as well as to the identification of novel cancer treatment strategies. Expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein has been implicated as a key component in angiogenesis, and VEGF has been identified in the ovaries and blood of women with ovarian cancer, with elevated VEGF levels predicting a poor prognosis. For these reasons, we propose to develop novel immunization strategies against VEGF in women with ovarian cancer.
We hypothesize that active immunization against VEGF has the potential for the effective treatment and prevention of ovarian cancer. We have identified regions VEGF and EG-VEGF that are highly immunogenic and could be used to develop novel combination vaccines. We will test the ability iof these vaccine candidates to induce antibody responses in rabbits and mice and will perform in vivo and in vitro analyses of these antibodies to determine their efficacy. We will also test the ability of the individual and combination vaccines to reduce the size of tumors caused by ovarian cancer cells in mice. If the vaccination demonstrates immunogenicity, efficacy, and anti-tumor effects, then human VEGF and EG-VEGF vaccine trials for ovarian cancer prevention and treatment would be a logical extension of this research.
Bio
Dr. David Cohn is interested in the comprehensive treatment of women with gynecologic cancers. He has extensive experience in advanced surgical techniques, including advanced robotic and laparoscopic (minimally-invasive) procedures and radical pelvic and reconstructive surgery for the diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancers. Dr. Cohn is Board Certified in Gynecologic Oncology. He has been recognized as one of “America’s Top Doctors” for gynecologic cancer care. Dr. Cohn is actively involved in research into the treatment and prevention of gynecologic cancers. He is in charge of many clinical trials as well as being a leader in laboratory research. He is part of the Immunology Group of Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Cohn has received many awards including those for his research in developing an ovarian cancer vaccine and for his research in hereditary uterine cancers. He is also widely recognized for his teaching expertise. As a national and international leader in gynecologic research, physician-scientists at the OSU James Cancer Hospital have taken a leading role in designing, monitoring and publishing research work of the Gynecologic Oncology Group, an international clinical research organization. Dr. Cohn is an active member of this group.
Dr. Cohn received his medical degree from the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. He completed his residency at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle and his fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.
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