Why do Oral Contraceptives Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2018-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Use of oral contraceptives (OCs) reduces a woman's risk of ovarian cancer very significantly
and the protective effect continues for at least 25 years after use of OCs is stopped; the
mechanisms of how this occurs are not understood. We are proposing here to directly study the
effect of OCs on the fallopian tube and inclusion cysts within the ovary - sites from which
most ovarian cancers are thought to arise - in order to better understand the mechanistic
basis for OC protection against ovarian cancer. We think the protection results from reduced
cell proliferation. It will lay the foundation for further studies to ensure that the
protection against ovarian cancer afforded by 'traditional' OCs is not lost with alterations
in OC formulation, and, if possible, to guide development of OC formations to improve further
on the protection afforded by OCs.
Phase:
Early Phase 1
Details
Lead Sponsor:
University of Michigan University of Southern California