The idea
This project will evaluate the efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in treating low grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) cells growing in the laboratory. This will increase our understanding of this disease and hopefully identify one or more ADCs to be tested in clinical trials.
Project background
LGSOC is characterised by slow growth and is more resistant to conventional chemotherapy than some other types of ovarian cancer. Innovative therapies are needed for the condition.
ADCs are a new type of drug which are improving patient survival across multiple cancer types. ADCs consist of an antibody that locates and binds to cancer cells joined to a chemotherapy payload that kills cancer cells selectively.
Recent research has found potential targets for ADCs on LGSOC cells. However, it is not known how many women's tumours have these targets, or what they tell us about the genetics of LGSOC. This project aims to fill these gaps in knowledge.
Project leader Professor Gourley is the Director of the Nicola Murray Centre for Ovarian Cancer Research at the University of Edinburgh and Clinical Director of the CRUK Scotland Centre.
His group is one of very few in the UK with a specific research focus on LGSOC, with their previous research studies enhancing understanding of the genetic and molecular landscape of LGSOC and identifying novel therapeutics. He has also led multiple clinical trials in rare OCs.
Professor Gourley will be working with a team of researchers including Dr Mark Carey at the University of British Columbia in Canada, and Dr Robert Hollis, Dr Neil Ryan, and Professor Simon Herrington at the University of Edinburgh, and Dr Christianne Lok at the Netherlands Cancer Institute.
Project plan
The team plan to firstly determine which ADCs are most appropriate for LGSOC, by looking for biomarkers. They will then use tumour samples from over 100 women with LGSOC to identify which women would be likely to benefit from the ADCs. They will thereafter assess whether these drugs may be beneficial in LGSOC laboratory models known as organoids.
Following the project, some of these ADCs may be ready to be tested in clinical trials.
Fact file
Researcher: Professor Charlie Gourley
Institution: The University of Edinburgh
Project dates: April 2026 to March 2028
Funding awarded: £149,132
Project status: In progress
