Alison M. Karst, PhD

Pathogenesis of fallopian tube carcinoma

The overall goal of my research is to study the pathogenesis of high-grade serous carcinoma of the fallopian tube.  This aggressive tumor frequently spreads from the fallopian tube epithelium to the surface of the ovary early in its development and later presents as high-grade serous ovarian cancer.  Women with inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, or a strong family history of ovarIan cancer, are at high risk of developing fallopian tube carcinoma.  In order to improve the prevention, detection, and treatment of this malignancy, it is important that we delineate the early steps leading to tumor formation.  My research aims to develop experimental models of primary human fallopian tube epithelial cell transformation with which we can test how specific genes contribute to fallopian tube cell transformation.