New Research Project Aims to Personalize Treatment for Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

A groundbreaking partnership between Not These Ovaries and STAAR Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Foundation is bringing hope to LGSOC patients.

We’re so proud to announce a new research study we’re funding with our partners at STAAR Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Foundation. Together, we’ve awarded $115,580 to support innovative research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, led by Dr. Kwong-Kwok Wong, PhD.

If you or someone you love is facing low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC), you understand the challenges of current treatment options. Unlike high-grade serous ovarian cancer, low-grade doesn’t respond well to traditional chemotherapy — and figuring out who will benefit from which treatment remains difficult.

This research uses advanced long-read RNA sequencing to identify new biomarkers that could help doctors predict treatment responses in LGSOC patients, potentially transforming how care decisions are made.

Why This Matters

Currently, most LGSOC patients undergo surgery, followed by chemotherapy and aromatase inhibitors. But the reality is that only about 20% of patients respond to the standard chemotherapy used for other ovarian cancers.

Dr. Wong’s team is applying cutting-edge sequencing technology to examine entire RNA transcripts — something that traditional testing methods can’t fully capture. This approach helps researchers identify hidden gene fusions and rare transcripts that may hold crucial information about treatment resistance or success.

Put simply: This study could help doctors determine in advance which patients are likely to benefit from chemotherapy or endocrine therapy, and which ones would be better served by alternative approaches. This means more personalized treatment paths, fewer ineffective interventions, and better outcomes for people living with this slow-growing, persistent disease.

A Shared Mission, Powered by Two Patient-Founded Nonprofits

This marks the first collaboration between Not These Ovaries and STAAR Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Foundation, the two U.S.-based nonprofits focused on low-grade serous ovarian cancer. Both organizations were founded by women directly affected by this disease, and both are committed to improving outcomes through targeted research.

“STAAR was created by LGSOC patients to accelerate research,” said Nicole Andrews, Chair of STAAR. “Partnering with Not These Ovaries helps us fund even more impactful science for our community.”

“This project reflects our belief that innovation and collaboration are the fastest paths to progress,” said Emily Campbell, Executive Director of Not These Ovaries. “We’re pleased to co-fund this work with STAAR and support Dr. Wong’s team at one of the world’s leading cancer centers.”

What’s Next?

The research team will analyze RNA samples from LGSOC patients who have previously responded — or not responded — to chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Their goal: uncover the molecular patterns that distinguish responders from non-responders.

If successful, this project could establish the foundation for clinical tools that help oncologists make more informed, personalized treatment decisions for women with LGSOC.

At Not These Ovaries, we believe research like this represents an important step forward for women who deserve better options now.