Summary
SPECIFIC AIMS Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological disease. 70-80% of ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at stage III or IV when peritoneal metastasis has already occurred. The unique metastasis pattern in ovarian cancer involves the detachment of tumor cells, diffusion through the intraperitoneal space and attachment to the mesothelial layer lining the omentum and abdominal organs. Both increased collagen deposition and extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening (due to altered collagen architecture) by stromal cells can create a pro- metastatic environment. Paracrine action of tumor
