DF/HCC Program Affiliation

Co-Leader, Gynecologic Cancer Program

DF/HCC Associations

Member, Center Scientific Council

Research Abstract

During the past twenty years, the focus of my research has been in the areas of gestational trophoblastic disease and ovarian neoplasia. Investigations in these areas have resulted in more than 250 publications of original reports and reviews on these subjects. Concerning gestational trophoblastic disease, my research interests have concerned identifying risk factors for development of these tumors as well as advancing understanding of the natural history of these diseases including subsequent reproductive experience. Studies have also focused on developing improved therapies as well as investigations to advance the understanding of the immunobiology and molecular biology of these diseases. Immunobiologic studies have focused on alterations in cellular and humoral immunity in these diseases and studies in molecular biology have focused on alterations in growth factors in these diseases. Investigations in ovarian neoplasia have concerned both the development of innovative and novel therapies as well as molecular biologic studies to identify genetic changes in ovarian neoplasia and differences in the pathways of development of borderline ovarian tumors, invasive ovarian cancers, and peritoneal cancers.

Publications

• Birrer MJ, Johnson ME, Hao K, Wong KK, Park DC, Bell A, Welch WR, Berkowitz RS, Mok SC. Whole genome oligonucleotide-based array comparative genomic hybridization analysis identified fibroblast growth factor 1 as a prognostic marker for advanced-stage serous ovarian adenocarcinomas. J Clin Oncol 2007 Jun 1; 25(16):2281-7
  PMID: 17538174
• Lee S, Garner EI, Welch WR, Berkowitz RS, Mok SC. Over-expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha in ovarian clear cell carcinoma. Gynecol Oncol 2007 May 24;
  PMID: 17532031