Modeling Human Epithelial Ovarian Cancer in Mice by Alteration of Expression of the Expression of the BRCA1 and/p53 Genes

About one out of every ten cases of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is inherited. The majority, >90%, of inherited cases of EOC are the result of mutations in the breast cancer associated gene 1 (BRCA1). This gene was originally identified based on genetic linkage to families with an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. It is involved in controlling normal cellular growth and is thought to suppress the growth of tumors. That is, if BRCA1 is mutated, the risk to develop breast and ovarian cancer increases. Another gene that is important in the development of cancer is p53. It also helps maintain normal cellular growth and is the most commonly mutated gene in all human cancers. The p53 gene has been shown to be mutated in at least 50% of all cases of epithelial ovarian cancer. In addition to mutations of BRCA1, mutations of the p53 gene are often found in patients with breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. Based on the importance of both of these genes in the development of this type of ovarian cancer, we hypothesize that inactivation of BRCA1 and p53 in the ovaries of mice will result in epithelial ovarian cancer in the animals.