Benign Reproductive Tissue Evaluation Study
The Benign Reproductive Tissue Evaluation (BRTE) Study was initiated by DCEG investigators in collaboration with Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh, to study the association of risk factors with molecular changes in the ovaries and endometrium. This ongoing study enrolls women undergoing hysterectomy and oophorectomy for benign reasons. An extensive risk factor questionnaire is administered and blood and urine samples are collected before surgery. Normal endometrial and ovarian tissues are collected during surgery.
In the current phase of the study, investigators are also collecting normal ovarian surface epithelial cells intraoperatively using a Tao brush. More than 160 women have been enrolled in the study so far. Several analyses are currently ongoing, including methylation profiling and telomere length measurement of endometrial tissues as well as RNA sequencing and methylation profiling of ovarian surface epithelial cells. Molecular profiles are related to important risk factors for endometrial and ovarian cancers. Following recent evidence that a subset of ovarian cancers may originate in the fallopian tubes, in a planned extension of the study, brush-based sampling of fallopian tubes will be added to the protocol.
View publications related to the Benign Reproductive Tissue Evaluation Study.
For more information, contact Nicolas Wentzensen.