Larry Copeland, MD, Chair
Several divisions in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology conduct
basic or clinical research. General Obstetrics and Gynecology research
focuses on contraception, sexual dysfunction, menopause, vaginitis, human
papilloma virus vaccines and cervical cytology screening. Scientists in Gynecologic Oncology conduct clinical trials through the Gynecologic Oncology Group along with industry-supported drug-development trials for preventing and treating ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer.
Basic researchers in this Division identify molecular targets for gynecologic malignancies. Investigators in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine participate in the National Institute of
Child Health and Human Development’s Network of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Units (MFMU). MFMU clinical trials explore interventions that could alter obstetrical practice.
William Ackerman, MD, and Douglas Kniss, PhD, direct Maternal-Fetal Medicine basic research involving mechanisms of preterm labor and regulation of the cyclooxygenase cascade. Studies in the Division of Reproductive Biology and Vaccine Research involve vaccine development, protein engineering and development of therapeutics for cancer, autoimmune diseases, viral infections and contraception.
Research Accomplishments of 2007
- The Division of Gynecologic Oncology emphasizes participation in clinical trials, mainly through the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG), but it also participates in phase II pharmaceutical trials and other novel clinical trials available only at Ohio State’s James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. This Division is also involved in basic, translational and clinical research involving multiple important issues in gynecologic oncology. During fiscal 2006-07, the Division had 40 active GOG trials and five pharmaceutical trials.
- Current and recently concluded Maternal-Fetal Medicine Network trials have addressed prevention of cerebral palsy, treatment of gestational diabetes, prevention of pre-eclampsia with supplemental intake of vitamins C and E, prevention of recurrent preterm birth with supplemental omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and prevention of preterm birth in women pregnant for the first time. The Ohio State University Medical Center was among the leading recruitment sites for the Network’s 10-year trial of peripartum magnesium sulfate prior to preterm birth, a treatment that reduced the incidence of cerebral palsy in surviving infants. Mark Landon, MD, director of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, led the gestational diabetes study and will direct the analysis of results.
- The Division of Reproductive Biology and Vaccine Research completed a study titled “Phase 1 Trial Active Immunotherapy with HER-2 Multi-epitope Vaccine (OSU 0105; 2001C0108) with Chimeric and Multi-epitope-based Peptide Vaccine Targeting Her-2 Oncoprotein and Nor-MDP Adjuvant in Patients with Metastatic and/or Recurrent Solid Tumors” at The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.