Mitchell Cancer Institute to raise awareness, funds for GYN cancer research at GO Run

Kevin Lee, Ph.D., is an assistant professor and gynecologic cancer researcher at the Mitchell Cancer Institute.

The USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute will host the 17th annual GO Run on Saturday, Sept. 21, on the University of South Alabama campus. The 5K and 1-mile fun run benefit the institute’s ongoing gynecologic cancer research while showing support for patients and raising awareness about women’s reproductive cancers. The 5K begins at 8 a.m., followed by the fun run at 9 a.m. 

Ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancers are the most commonly diagnosed GYN cancers in south Alabama communities. Because of this, the MCI centers its research focus on questions that would benefit its patients. With the help of its extramurally funded GYN research lab, the current research includes:

• Seeking to better understand the origins of ovarian cancer and developing prevention methods.
• Using digital spatial imaging – the ability to see gene or protein data from tissue samples – to profile the immune system in endometrial cancer and identify patients likely to respond to immunotherapy, which harnesses a patient’s own immune system to respond to the cancer cells.
• Reviewing the correlation between stress, anxiety and the immune system and how they contribute to the development of cervical cancer.

The MCI is the region’s only academic cancer research and treatment center and has the ability to host multi-phase clinical trials, which offer the latest therapies for enrolled patients.

“Clinical trials are becoming increasingly more nimble and personalized to the molecular aspects of a patient and/or their tumor,” said Kevin Lee, Ph.D., assistant professor of research for gynecologic oncology at the MCI. “The era of the large phase III trials that take years to complete is ending and being replaced by more rational, efficient designs. This means we will see an increase in the number of phase I and II trials, and having the ability to run these trials at the MCI gives our patients access to potentially cutting-edge treatments earlier.”

Currently, the MCI has just under 10 clinical trials targeting major disease sites that are seen at the institute. It also offers the ComboMatch trials, which include a basket trial based on molecular targets in a tumor, and not necessarily focusing on the original site of a tumor. The basket trial allows doctors and researchers to utilize treatments commonly used in other types of cancers, such as lung cancer, in endometrial cancer with similar molecular profiles.

Drawing on such clinical trials and basic science research, doctors and researchers at the MCI are working to discover new mechanisms, pathways and treatments that can eventually help patients.

“Our patients come before anything else. We have a stellar team of professionals who absolutely love our patients and are passionate about what we do. Our patients feel that, and from a GYN oncology standpoint, quickly become part of our family,” said Jennifer Scalici, M.D., chief of gynecologic oncology services at the MCI. “Our patients voted us the community’s ‘Best Oncology Practice’ in the 2024 Nappies because of the experience and care they received with us during some of the toughest times of their lives.” 

Scalici encourages the community to support loved ones and those diagnosed with a GYN cancer by signing up for the GO Run. “This fun run is there to celebrate the journey of our patients, empower the women in your lives and to advocate for their health,” Scalici said.

To learn more about the GO Run event or to register, visit usahealthsystem.com/events/go-run.