DF/HCC Program Affiliation

Gynecologic Cancer, Co-Leader
Cancer Epidemiology
Cancer Genetics

DF/HCC Associations

Principal Investigator, Ovarian Cancer SPORE
Member, Center Scientific Council

Research Abstract

Dr. Cramer's research has focused on the epidemiology of gynecologic cancers with a particular focus on ovarian cancer. Dr. Cramer authored the first case-control study describing an association between talc use and ovarian cancer. Factors affecting the ovarian pituitary axis are another focus of Dr. Cramer's research on ovarian cancer. In papers published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute dealing with reproductive and familial risk factors and in one published in the NEJM on oral contraceptive and ovarian cancer, he argued that the epidemiologic data on ovarian cancer was more consistent with a role for excessive gonadotropin stimulation of the ovaries as a cause of the disease rather than the popular "incessant ovulation" theory. Citing animal models, he proposed that high gonadotropins might derive from factors that prematurely deplete the follicular pool or from lack of factors which act to suppress gonadotropins. He continues to pursue both environmental and genetic determinants which may operate through either pelvic contamination or disruption of the ovarian/pituitary axis to cause ovarian cancer.

Publications

• Abenhaim HA, Titus-Ernstoff L, Cramer DW.Ovarian cancer risk in relation to medical visits, pelvic examinations and type of health care provider.CMAJ 2007 Mar 27;176(7):941-7.
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• Skates SJ, Horick NK, Moy JM, Minihan AM, Seiden MV, Marks JR, Sluss P, Cramer DW.Pooling of case specimens to create standard serum sets for screening cancer biomarkers.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007 Feb;16(2):334-41.
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• Terry KL, Titus-Ernstoff L, McKolanis JR, Welch WR, Finn OJ, Cramer DW.Incessant ovulation, mucin 1 immunity, and risk for ovarian cancer.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007 Jan;16(1):30-5.
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• Li B, Allendorf DJ, Hansen R, Marroquin J, Ding C, Cramer DE, Yan J.Yeast beta-glucan amplifies phagocyte killing of iC3b-opsonized tumor cells via complement receptor 3-Syk-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway.J Immunol 2006 Aug 1;177(3):1661-9.
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• Medeiros F, Muto MG, Lee Y, Elvin JA, Callahan MJ, Feltmate C, Garber JE, Cramer DW, Crum CP.The tubal fimbria is a preferred site for early adenocarcinoma in women with familial ovarian cancer syndrome.Am J Surg Pathol 2006 Feb;30(2):230-6.
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• Cramer DW, Liberman RF, Titus-Ernstoff L, Welch WR, Greenberg ER, Baron JA, Harlow BL.Genital talc exposure and risk of ovarian cancer.Int J Cancer 1999 May 5;81(3):351-6.
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• Cramer DW, Xu H.Epidemiologic evidence for uterine growth factors in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer.Ann Epidemiol 1995 Jul;5(4):310-4.
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