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.
  17389442
• 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.
  17301268
• 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.
  17220329
• 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.
  16849475
• 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.
  16434898
• 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.
  10209948
• Cramer DW, Xu H.Epidemiologic evidence for uterine growth factors in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer.Ann Epidemiol 1995 Jul;5(4):310-4.
  8520714
• Ramus SJ, Vierkant RA, Johnatty SE, Pike MC, Van Den Berg DJ, Wu AH, Pearce CL, Menon U, Gentry-Maharaj A, Gayther SA, Dicioccio RA, McGuire V, Whittemore AS, Song H, Easton DF, Pharoah PD, Garcia-Closas M, Chanock S, Lissowska J, Brinton L, Terry KL, Cra
  18431743
• Ehrlich JR, Tang L, Caiazzo RJ Jr, Cramer DW, Ng SK, Ng SW, Liu BC.The "reverse capture" autoantibody microarray : an innovative approach to profiling the autoantibody response to tissue-derived native antigens.Methods Mol Biol 2008;441:175-92.
  18370319
• Rasku MA, Clem AL, Telang S, Taft B, Gettings K, Gragg H, Cramer D, Lear SC, McMasters KM, Miller DM, Chesney J.Transient T cell depletion causes regression of melanoma metastases.J Transl Med 2008;6:12.
  18334033
• Anderson KS, Ramachandran N, Wong J, Raphael JV, Hainsworth E, Demirkan G, Cramer D, Aronzon D, Hodi FS, Harris L, Logvinenko T, LaBaer J.Application of protein microarrays for multiplexed detection of antibodies to tumor antigens in breast cancer.J Prote
  18311903
• Pearce CL, Wu AH, Gayther SA, Bale AE, Beck PA, Beesley J, Chanock S, Cramer DW, DiCioccio R, Edwards R, Fredericksen ZS, Garcia-Closas M, Goode EL, Green AC, Hartmann LC, Hogdall E, Kjaer SK, Lissowska J, McGuire V, Modugno F, Moysich K, Ness RB, Ramus S
  18219286
• Reca R, Cramer D, Yan J, Laughlin MJ, Janowska-Wieczorek A, Ratajczak J, Ratajczak MZ.A novel role of complement in mobilization: immunodeficient mice are poor granulocyte-colony stimulating factor mobilizers because they lack complement-activating immuno
  17717064
• Li B, Allendorf DJ, Hansen R, Marroquin J, Cramer DE, Harris CL, Yan J.Combined yeast {beta}-glucan and antitumor monoclonal antibody therapy requires C5a-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis via regulation of decay-accelerating factor CD55.Cancer Res 2007 Aug
  17671212
• Cramer DW, Welch WR, Berkowitz RS, Godleski JJ.Presence of talc in pelvic lymph nodes of a woman with ovarian cancer and long-term genital exposure to cosmetic talc.Obstet Gynecol 2007 Aug;110(2 Pt 2):498-501.
  17666642
• Pinheiro SP, Cramer DW.Non-genomic biomarkers of risk in ovarian cancer.Dis Markers;23:355-66.
• Ye B, Aponte M, Dai Y, Li L, Ho MC, Vitonis A, Edwards D, Huang TN, Cramer DW.Ginkgo biloba and ovarian cancer prevention: Epidemiological and biological evidence.Cancer Lett 2007 Jun 18;251(1):43-52.
  17194528
• Lee Y, Miron A, Drapkin R, Nucci MR, Medeiros F, Saleemuddin A, Garber J, Birch C, Mou H, Gordon RW, Cramer DW, McKeon FD, Crum CP.A candidate precursor to serous carcinoma that originates in the distal fallopian tube.J Pathol 2007 Jan;211(1):26-35.
  17117391
• Meeker JD, Missmer SA, Cramer DW, Hauser R.Maternal exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and pregnancy outcome among couples undergoing assisted reproduction.Hum Reprod 2007 Feb;22(2):337-45.
  17053002
• Morris SN, Missmer SA, Cramer DW, Powers RD, McShane PM, Hornstein MD.Effects of lifetime exercise on the outcome of in vitro fertilization.Obstet Gynecol 2006 Oct;108(4):938-45.
  17012457
• Tung JY, Rosen MP, Nelson LM, Turek PJ, Witte JS, Cramer DW, Cedars MI, Reijo Pera RA.Novel missense mutations of the Deleted-in-AZoospermia-Like (DAZL) gene in infertile women and men.Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2006 Aug 2;4(1):40.
  16884537
• Ye B, Skates S, Mok SC, Horick NK, Rosenberg HF, Vitonis A, Edwards D, Sluss P, Han WK, Berkowitz RS, Cramer DW.Proteomic-based discovery and characterization of glycosylated eosinophil-derived neurotoxin and COOH-terminal osteopontin fragments for ovaria
  16428483
• Tung JY, Rosen MP, Nelson LM, Turek PJ, Witte JS, Cramer DW, Cedars MI, Pera RA.Variants in Deleted in AZoospermia-Like (DAZL) are correlated with reproductive parameters in men and women.Hum Genet 2006 Feb;118(6):730-740.
  16328470
• Muscat J, Huncharek M, Cramer DW.Talc and anti-MUC1 antibodies.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2005 Nov;14(11 Pt 1):2679; author reply 2680.
  16284398
• Terry KL, De Vivo I, Titus-Ernstoff L, Shih MC, Cramer DW.Androgen receptor cytosine, adenine, guanine repeats, and haplotypes in relation to ovarian cancer risk.Cancer Res 2005 Jul 1;65(13):5974-81.
  15994977
• Cramer DW, Titus-Ernstoff L, McKolanis JR, Welch WR, Vitonis AF, Berkowitz RS, Finn OJ.Conditions associated with antibodies against the tumor-associated antigen MUC1 and their relationship to risk for ovarian cancer.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2005
  15894662
• Bendikson K, Cramer DW, Vitonis A, Hornstein MD.Ethnic background and in vitro fertilization outcomes.Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2005 Mar;88(3):342-6.
  15733901
• Terry KL, De Vivo I, Titus-Ernstoff L, Sluss PM, Cramer DW.Genetic variation in the progesterone receptor gene and ovarian cancer risk.Am J Epidemiol 2005 Mar 1;161(5):442-51.
  15718480
• Terry KL, Sluss PM, Skates SJ, Mok SC, Ye B, Vitonis AF, Cramer DW.Blood and urine markers for ovarian cancer: a comprehensive review.Dis Markers 2004;20(2):53-70.
  15322314
• Schorge JO, Drake RD, Lee H, Skates SJ, Rajanbabu R, Miller DS, Kim JH, Cramer DW, Berkowitz RS, Mok SC.Osteopontin as an adjunct to CA125 in detecting recurrent ovarian cancer.Clin Cancer Res 2004 May 15;10(10):3474-8.
  15161704
• Fairfield KM, Hunter DJ, Colditz GA, Fuchs CS, Cramer DW, Speizer FE, Willett WC, Hankinson SE.A prospective study of dietary lactose and ovarian cancer.Int J Cancer 2004 Jun 10;110(2):271-7.
  15069693
• Kim JH, Herlyn D, Wong KK, Park DC, Schorge JO, Lu KH, Skates SJ, Cramer DW, Berkowitz RS, Mok SC.Identification of epithelial cell adhesion molecule autoantibody in patients with ovarian cancer.Clin Cancer Res 2003 Oct 15;9(13):4782-91.
  14581349
• Ye B, Cramer DW, Skates SJ, Gygi SP, Pratomo V, Fu L, Horick NK, Licklider LJ, Schorge JO, Berkowitz RS, Mok SC.Haptoglobin-alpha subunit as potential serum biomarker in ovarian cancer: identification and characterization using proteomic profiling and mas
  12912935
• Terry KL, Titus-Ernstoff L, Garner EO, Vitonis AF, Cramer DW.Interaction between CYP1A1 polymorphic variants and dietary exposures influencing ovarian cancer risk.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2003 Mar;12(3):187-90.
  12646505
• Goodman MT, Wu AH, Tung KH, McDuffie K, Cramer DW, Wilkens LR, Terada K, Reichardt JK, Ng WG.Association of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase activity and N314D genotype with the risk of ovarian cancer.Am J Epidemiol 2002 Oct 15;156(8):693-701.
  12370157
• Kuper H, Cramer DW, Titus-Ernstoff L.Risk of ovarian cancer in the United States in relation to anthropometric measures: does the association depend on menopausal status?.Cancer Causes Control 2002 Jun;13(5):455-63.
  12146850
• O'Regan A, Fleming C, Seidman JD, Wallach RC, Mok SC, Skates SJ, Berkowitz RS, Cramer DW.Osteopontin as a biomarker for ovarian cancer.JAMA 2002 Jun 26;287:3208-3210.
• Garner EI, Stokes EE, Berkowitz RS, Mok SC, Cramer DW.Polymorphisms of the estrogen-metabolizing genes CYP17 and catechol-O-methyltransferase and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer.Cancer Res 2002 Jun 1;62(11):3058-62.
  12036914
• Kim JH, Skates SJ, Uede T, Wong Kk KK, Schorge JO, Feltmate CM, Berkowitz RS, Cramer DW, Mok SC.Osteopontin as a potential diagnostic biomarker for ovarian cancer.JAMA 2002 Apr 3;287(13):1671-9.
  11926891
• Ness RB, Cramer DW, Goodman MT, Kjaer SK, Mallin K, Mosgaard BJ, Purdie DM, Risch HA, Vergona R, Wu AH.Infertility, fertility drugs, and ovarian cancer: a pooled analysis of case-control studies.Am J Epidemiol 2002 Feb 1;155(3):217-24.
  11821246
• Cramer DW, Barbieri RL, Fraer AR, Harlow BL.Determinants of early follicular phase gonadotrophin and estradiol concentrations in women of late reproductive age.Hum Reprod 2002 Jan;17(1):221-7.
  11756392
• Cramer DW, Kuper H, Harlow BL, Titus-Ernstoff L.Carotenoids, antioxidants and ovarian cancer risk in pre- and postmenopausal women.Int J Cancer 2001 Oct 1;94(1):128-34.
  11668487
• Lucero J, Harlow BL, Barbieri RL, Sluss P, Cramer DW.Early follicular phase hormone levels in relation to patterns of alcohol, tobacco, and coffee use.Fertil Steril 2001 Oct;76(4):723-9.
  11591405
• Mok SC, Chao J, Skates S, Wong K, Yiu GK, Muto MG, Berkowitz RS, Cramer DW.Prostasin, a potential serum marker for ovarian cancer: identification through microarray technology.J Natl Cancer Inst 2001 Oct 3;93(19):1458-64.
  11584061
• Cramer DW, Petterson KS, Barbieri RL, Huhtaniemi IT.Reproductive hormones, cancers, and conditions in relation to a common genetic variant of luteinizing hormone.Hum Reprod 2000 Oct;15(10):2103-7.
  11006181
• Kuper H, Titus-Ernstoff L, Harlow BL, Cramer DW.Population based study of coffee, alcohol and tobacco use and risk of ovarian cancer.Int J Cancer 2000 Oct 15;88(2):313-8.
  11004686
• Whiteman DC, Murphy MF, Cook LS, Cramer DW, Hartge P, Marchbanks PA, Nasca PC, Ness RB, Purdie DM, Risch HA.Multiple births and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer.J Natl Cancer Inst 2000 Jul 19;92(14):1172-7.
  10904091
• Lu KH, Garber JE, Cramer DW, Welch WR, Niloff J, Schrag D, Berkowitz RS, Muto MG.Occult ovarian tumors in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations undergoing prophylactic oophorectomy.J Clin Oncol 2000 Jul;18(14):2728-32.
  10894872
• Marchbanks PA, Wilson H, Bastos E, Cramer DW, Schildkraut JM, Peterson HB.Cigarette smoking and epithelial ovarian cancer by histologic type.Obstet Gynecol 2000 Feb;95(2):255-60.
  10674590
• Cramer DW, Greenberg ER, Titus-Ernstoff L, Liberman RF, Welch WR, Li E, Ng WG.A case-control study of galactose consumption and metabolism in relation to ovarian cancer.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2000 Jan;9(1):95-101.
  10667469
• Gertig DM, Hunter DJ, Cramer DW, Colditz GA, Speizer FE, Willett WC, Hankinson SE.Prospective study of talc use and ovarian cancer.J Natl Cancer Inst 2000 Feb 2;92(3):249-52.
  10655442
• Bohlke K, Cramer DW, Trichopoulos D, Mantzoros CS.Insulin-like growth factor-I in relation to premenopausal ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.Epidemiology 1998 Sep;9(5):570-3.
  9730040
• Cramer DW, Liberman RF, Hornstein MD, McShane P, Powers D, Li EY, Barbieri R.Basal hormone levels in women who use acetaminophen for menstrual pain.Fertil Steril 1998 Aug;70(2):371-3.
  9696240
• Cramer DW, Harlow BL, Titus-Ernstoff L, Bohlke K, Welch WR, Greenberg ER.Over-the-counter analgesics and risk of ovarian cancer.Lancet 1998 Jan 10;351(9096):104-7.
  9439495
• Cramer DW, Xu H.Predicting age at menopause.Maturitas 1996 Apr;23(3):319-26.
  8794427
• Cramer DW, Goldstein DP, Fraer C, Reichardt JK.Vaginal agenesis (Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome) associated with the N314D mutation of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT).Mol Hum Reprod 1996 Mar;2(3):145-8.
  9238673
• Cramer DW, Hornstein MD, Ng WG, Barbieri RL.Endometriosis associated with the N314D mutation of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT).Mol Hum Reprod 1996 Mar;2(3):149-52.
  9238674
• Cramer DW, Harlow BL, Xu H, Fraer C, Barbieri R.Cross-sectional and case-controlled analyses of the association between smoking and early menopause.Maturitas 1995 Sep;22(2):79-87.
  8538488
• Harlow BL, Cramer DW.Self-reported use of antidepressants or benzodiazepine tranquilizers and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer: evidence from two combined case-control studies (Massachusetts, United States).Cancer Causes Control 1995 Mar;6(2):130-4.
  7749052
• Cramer DW, Xu H, Harlow BL.Does "incessant" ovulation increase risk for early menopause?.Am J Obstet Gynecol 1995 Feb;172(2 Pt 1):568-73.
  7856687
• Harlow BL, Frigoletto FD, Cramer DW, Evans JK, Bain RP, Ewigman B, McNellis D.Epidemiologic predictors of cesarean section in nulliparous patients at low risk. RADIUS Study Group. Routine Antenatal Diagnostic Imaging with Ultrasound Study.Am J Obstet Gyne
  7847528
• Cramer DW, Barbieri RL, Xu H, Reichardt JK.Determinants of basal follicle-stimulating hormone levels in premenopausal women.J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1994 Oct;79(4):1105-9.
  7962282
• Cramer DW, Barbieri RL, Muto MG, Kelly A, Brucks JP, Harlow BL.Characteristics of women with a family history of ovarian cancer. II. Follicular phase hormone levels.Cancer 1994 Aug 15;74(4):1318-22.
  8055454
• Cramer DW, Xu H, Sahi T.Adult hypolactasia, milk consumption, and age-specific fertility.Am J Epidemiol 1994 Feb 1;139(3):282-9.
  8116603
• Cramer DW, Harlow BL.Commentary: re: "A case-control study of milk drinking and ovarian cancer risk".Am J Epidemiol 1991 Sep 1;134(5):454-6.
  1897500
• Cramer DW.Lactase persistence and milk consumption as determinants of ovarian cancer risk.Am J Epidemiol 1989 Nov;130(5):904-10.
  2510499
• Cramer DW, Harlow BL, Willett WC, Welch WR, Bell DA, Scully RE, Ng WG, Knapp RC.Galactose consumption and metabolism in relation to the risk of ovarian cancer.Lancet 1989 Jul 8;2(8654):66-71.
  2567871
• Cramer DW, Harlow BL, Barbieri RL, Ng WG.Galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase activity associated with age at menopause and reproductive history.Fertil Steril 1989 Apr;51(4):609-15.
  2538369
• Cramer DW, Ravnikar VA, Craighill M, Ng WG, Goldstein DP, Reilly R.Müllerian aplasia associated with maternal deficiency of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase.Fertil Steril 1987 Jun;47(6):930-4.
  3036608
• Cramer DW, Goldman MB, Schiff I, Belisle S, Albrecht B, Stadel B, Gibson M, Wilson E, Stillman R, Thompson I.The relationship of tubal infertility to barrier method and oral contraceptive use.JAMA 1987 May 8;257(18):2446-50.
  3573242
• Cramer DW, Wilson E, Stillman RJ, Berger MJ, Belisle S, Schiff I, Albrecht B, Gibson M, Stadel BV, Schoenbaum SC.The relation of endometriosis to menstrual characteristics, smoking, and exercise.JAMA 1986 Apr 11;255(14):1904-8.
  3951117
• Cramer DW, Schiff I, Schoenbaum SC, Gibson M, Belisle S, Albrecht B, Stillman RJ, Berger MJ, Wilson E, Stadel BV.Tubal infertility and the intrauterine device.N Engl J Med 1985 Apr 11;312(15):941-7.
  3974684
• Cramer DW, Welch WR, Hutchison GB, Willett W, Scully RE.Dietary animal fat in relation to ovarian cancer risk.Obstet Gynecol 1984 Jun;63(6):833-8.
  6728366
• Cramer DW, Welch WR.Determinants of ovarian cancer risk. II. Inferences regarding pathogenesis.J Natl Cancer Inst 1983 Oct;71(4):717-21.
  6578367
• Cramer DW, Welch WR, Cassells S, Scully RE.Mumps, menarche, menopause, and ovarian cancer.Am J Obstet Gynecol 1983 Sep 1;147(1):1-6.
  6614075
• Cramer DW, Hutchison GB, Welch WR, Scully RE, Knapp RC.Factors affecting the association of oral contraceptives and ovarian cancer.N Engl J Med 1982 Oct 21;307(17):1047-51.
  7121514
• Cramer DW, Welch WR, Scully RE, Wojciechowski CA.Ovarian cancer and talc: a case-control study.Cancer 1982 Jul 15;50(2):372-6.
  7083145
• Cramer DW, Devesa SS, Welch WR.Trends in the incidence of endometrioid and clear cell cancers of the ovary in the United States.Am J Epidemiol 1981 Aug;114(2):201-8.
  7304555