An Australian oncologist is to conduct a phase II study in a bid to progress vital research into the treatment of ovarian cancer. Associate Professor Jim Coward has returned promising results with his work on targeting treatment-resistant stem cells to prevent cancer recurrence. Approximately 1,500 Australian women are diagnosed annually with ovarian cancer, which has the lowest five-year survival rate of all gynaecological cancers at 46 percent. Despite significant investment in early detection programs and therapeutic research, 80 percent of sufferers still face a high chance of relapse after initial chemotherapy and becoming incurable. Data from a phase I study led by Queensland-based Coward in his work with leading care provider the Icon Group, was published earlier this year. Utilising a new pool of research, he is looking at how cancer stem cells could be causing relapse. “Survival outcomes in ovarian cancer are poor and sadly most patients … will die …