Positions

Overview

  • Rebecca Arend, MD is Assistant Professor and an Associate Scientist at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Experimental Therapeutics Program. She completed her undergraduate degree and her residency at Columbia Presbyterian in New York, NY and completed her fellowship at UAB. Prior to fellowship, she did research in hormonal and molecular pathways associated with uterine carcinosarcoma. During her fellowship in Gyn Oncology at UAB, she received an AAOGF/ABOG Young Investigator Fellowship grant that currently supports her own lab with 75% protected research time. Her on-going projects include personalized medicine, targeting the Wnt pathway, and immunotherapy in ovarian cancer patients. She is getting her Master’s degree (MSPH) in Clinical and Translational Research and serves as the chair of UAB’s Tissue Committee and as the co-chair of the Gynecologic Oncology Disease Oriented Working Group (DOWG) and the Precision Oncology Working Group (POWG). She is a member of multiple professional societies and committees both regionally and nationally. She has authored numerous publications and been highly recognized for outstanding presentations.

    • Selected Publications

    Academic Article

    Year Title Altmetric
    2022 Circulating Tregs Accumulate in Omental Tumors and Acquire Adipose-Resident Features.  Cancer Immunology Research.  10:641-655. 2022
    2022 Metabolic Alterations and WNT Signaling Impact Immune Response in HGSOC.  Clinical Cancer Research.  28:1433-1445. 2022
    2022 High-intermediate risk endometrial cancer: moving toward a molecularly based risk assessment profile.  International Journal of Clinical Oncology.  27:323-331. 2022
    2022 Response to anti-DKK1 therapy in uterine carcinosarcoma: A case report.  Gynecologic Oncology Reports.  39. 2022
    2022 Emerging perspectives on growth factor metabolic relationships in the ovarian cancer ascites environment.  Seminars in Cancer Biology.  2022
    2022 Homologous Recombination Deficiency: Concepts, Definitions, and Assays 2022
    2022 International gynecologic cancer society (IGCS) 2021 meeting report.  Gynecologic Oncology.  164:208-211. 2022
    2022 Sequential modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway enhances tumor-intrinsic MHC I expression and tumor clearance.  Gynecologic Oncology.  164:170-180. 2022
    2022 Utilization of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study of US Healthcare Claims Data.  Advances in Therapy.  39:328-345. 2022
    2021 Gynecologic oncology patients are ready for telemedicine in routine care: Results from a pre-COVID survey.  Gynecologic Oncology Reports.  38. 2021
    2021 Identifying a molecular profile to predict the risk of recurrence in high-intermediate risk endometrial cancer.  Cancer Medicine.  10:8238-8250. 2021
    2021 Systematic Next Generation Sequencing is feasible in clinical practice and identifies opportunities for targeted therapy in women with uterine cancer: Results from a prospective cohort study.  Gynecologic Oncology.  163:85-92. 2021
    2021 Strategies in overcoming homologous recombination proficiency and PARP inhibitor resistance.  Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.  20:1542-1549. 2021
    2021 Understanding the effect of mechanical forces on ovarian cancer progression.  Gynecologic Oncology.  162:154-162. 2021
    2021 Utilizing an interim futility analysis of the OVAL study (VB-111-701/GOG 3018) for potential reduction of risk: A phase III, double blind, randomized controlled trial of ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111) and weekly paclitaxel in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer.  Gynecologic Oncology.  161:496-501. 2021
    2021 Assessing preclinical research models for immunotherapy for gynecologic malignancies.  Cancers.  13. 2021
    2021 TGFβ signaling networks in ovarian cancer progression and plasticity.  Clinical and Experimental Metastasis.  38:139-161. 2021
    2021 Endometrial cancer: A society of gynecologic oncology evidence-based review and recommendations.  Gynecologic Oncology.  160:817-826. 2021
    2021 Endometrial cancer: A society of gynecologic oncology evidence-based review and recommendations, part II.  Gynecologic Oncology.  160:827-834. 2021
    2021 Neutralization of TGFβ improves tumor immunity and reduces tumor progression in ovarian carcinoma.  Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.  20:602-611. 2021
    2021 Class I histone deacetylase inhibition promotes CD8 T cell activation in ovarian cancer.  Cancer Medicine.  10:709-717. 2021
    2021 Manipulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to promote anti-tumor immune infiltration into the TME to sensitize ovarian cancer to ICB therapy.  Gynecologic Oncology.  160:285-294. 2021
    2021 Ovarian cancer: new strategies and emerging targets for the treatment of patients with advanced disease.  Cancer Biology and Therapy.  22:89-105. 2021
    2021 Utilization of a 3-D tissue engineered model to investigate the effects of perfusion on gynecologic cancer biology.  Journal of Tissue Engineering.  12. 2021
    2020 Obesity diminishes response to PD-1-based immunotherapies in renal cancer.  Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer.  8. 2020
    2020 Corrigendum to ‘Wnt signaling modulator DKK1 as an immunotherapeutic target in ovarian cancer’ [Gynecologic Oncology 157 (2020) 765–774] (Gynecologic Oncology (2020) 157(3) (765–774), (S0090825820302262), (10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.03.010)).  Gynecologic Oncology.  159:295. 2020
    2020 The anti-DKK1 antibody DKN-01 as an immunomodulatory combination partner for the treatment of cancer.  Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs.  29:639-644. 2020
    2020 Ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111) in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer; favorable response rates in a phase I/II study are associated with an immunotherapeutic effect.  Gynecologic Oncology.  157:578-584. 2020
    2020 Wnt signaling modulator DKK1 as an immunotherapeutic target in ovarian cancer.  Gynecologic Oncology.  157:765-774. 2020
    2020 A Ketogenic Diet Is Acceptable in Women with Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer and Has No Adverse Effects on Blood Lipids: A Randomized, Controlled Trial 2020
    2020 Decision analysis for secondline maintenance treatment of platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer: A review.  International Journal of Gynecological Cancer.  30:684-694. 2020
    2020 Inhibiting WNT ligand production for improved immune recognition in the Ovarian tumor microenvironment.  Cancers.  12. 2020
    2020 EMR 20006-012: A phase II randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial comparing the combination of pimasertib (MEK inhibitor) with SAR245409 (PI3K inhibitor) to pimasertib alone in patients with previously treated unresectable borderline or low grade ovarian cancer.  Gynecologic Oncology.  156:301-307. 2020
    2020 Large, Non-Cavity Distorting Intramural Leiomyomas Decrease Leukemia Inhibitory Factor in the Secretory Phase Endometrium 2020
    2020 Inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway enhances antitumor immunity in ovarian cancer 2020
    2019 Biomarkers in ovarian cancer: To be or not to be.  Cancer.  125:4563-4572. 2019
    2019 Histone deacetylase inhibition promotes intratumoral CD8+ T-cell responses, sensitizing murine breast tumors to anti-PD1 2019
    2019 Extending the platinum-free interval: The impact of omitting 2nd line platinum chemotherapy in intermediate platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.  Gynecologic Oncology.  155:201-206. 2019
    2019 Neutrophilia and mortality in women with uterine carcinosarcoma.  International Journal of Gynecological Cancer.  29:1258-1263. 2019
    2019 Advancing drug development in gynecologic malignancies.  Clinical Cancer Research.  25:4874-4880. 2019
    2019 Checkpoint inhibitors in ovarian cancer: A review of preclinical data.  Gynecologic Oncology Reports.  29:48-54. 2019
    2019 A review of the role of wnt in cancer immunomodulation.  Cancers.  11. 2019
    2019 Review: Targeting the transforming growth factor-beta pathway in ovarian cancer.  Cancers.  11. 2019
    2019 The expression of MHC class II molecules on murine breast tumors delays T-cell exhaustion, expands the T-cell repertoire, and slows tumor growth 2019
    2019 Overcoming immune suppression with epigenetic modification in ovarian cancer 2019
    2019 Humanistic and economic impact of subcutaneous versus intravenous administration of oncology biologics.  Future Oncology.  15:3267-3281. 2019
    2018 The antitumor effects of entinostat in ovarian cancer require adaptive immunity.  Cancer.  124:4657-4666. 2018
    2018 Revisiting entinostat as an immune-potentiating adjuvant.  Oncotarget.  9:37278-37279. 2018
    2018 Systemic Treatment of Metastatic/Recurrent Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: A Changing Paradigm 2018
    2018 FTY720 enhances the anti-tumor activity of carboplatin and tamoxifen in a patient-derived xenograft model of ovarian cancer.  Cancer Letters.  436:75-86. 2018
    2018 Disparities in receipt of follow-up care instructions among female adult cancer survivors: Results from a national survey.  Gynecologic Oncology.  150:494-500. 2018
    2018 Endometrial cancer: Molecular markers and management of advanced stage disease.  Gynecologic Oncology.  150:569-580. 2018
    2018 Favorable effects of a ketogenic diet on physical function, perceived energy, and food cravings in women with ovarian or endometrial cancer: A randomized, controlled trial.  Nutrients.  10. 2018
    2018 A ketogenic diet reduces central obesity and serum insulin in women with ovarian or endometrial cancer 2018
    2018 Molecular response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma 2018
    2018 Correction: Niclosamide and its analogs are potent inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin, mTOR and STAT3 signaling in ovarian cancer [Oncotarget., 7, (2016) (86803-86815)] 10.18632/oncotarget.13466.  Oncotarget.  9:19459-19459. 2018
    2018 Histone methyltransferase ezh2: A therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.  Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.  17:591-602. 2018
    2018 Insulin-like growth factor 2: a poor prognostic biomarker linked to racial disparity in women with uterine carcinosarcoma.  Cancer Medicine.  7:616-625. 2018
    2017 Epigenetic therapy for the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer: A clinical review.  Gynecologic Oncology Reports.  20:81-86. 2017
    2017 B7-H3-targeted 212Pb radioimmunotherapy of ovarian cancer in preclinical models.  Nuclear Medicine and Biology.  47:23-30. 2017
    2017 Epigenetic modifiers upregulate MHC II and impede ovarian cancer tumor growth.  Oncotarget.  8:44159-44170. 2017
    2017 Implementation and utilization of the molecular tumor board to guide precision medicine.  Oncotarget.  8:57845-57854. 2017
    2017 Uterine carcinosarcomas: Clinical, histopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics 2017
    2016 Ovarian cancer and the immune system — The role of targeted therapies.  Gynecologic Oncology.  142:349-356. 2016
    2016 The tumor-associated glycosyltransferase ST6Gal-I regulates stem cell transcription factors and confers a cancer stem cell phenotype.  Cancer Research.  76:3978-3988. 2016
    2016 Targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in primary ovarian cancer with the porcupine inhibitor WNT974.  Laboratory Investigation.  96:249-259. 2016
    2016 Metabolic risk factors and mechanisms of disease in epithelial ovarian cancer: A review.  Gynecologic Oncology.  143:674-683. 2016
    2016 Niclosamide and its analogs are potent inhibitors of Wnt/ß- catenin, mTOR and STAT3 signaling in ovarian cancer.  Oncotarget.  7:86803-86815. 2016
    2015 Niclosamide analogs for treatment of ovarian cancer.  International Journal of Gynecological Cancer.  25:1377-1385. 2015
    2015 PARP inhibitor maintenance therapy for patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer: A cost-effectiveness analysis.  Gynecologic Oncology.  139:59-62. 2015
    2014 Ovarian cancer stem cells: Can targeted therapy lead to improved progression-free survival?.  World Journal of Stem Cells.  6:441-447. 2014
    2014 Multi-targeted therapy of cancer by niclosamide: A new application for an old drug.  Cancer Letters.  349:8-14. 2014
    2014 Effect of niclosamide on basal-like breast cancers.  Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.  13:800-811. 2014
    2014 Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway by niclosamide: A therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.  Gynecologic Oncology.  134:112-120. 2014
    2014 Radical surgical cytoreduction in the treatment of ovarian carcinosarcoma.  Gynecologic Oncology.  133:234-237. 2014
    2013 The Wnt/β-catenin pathway in ovarian cancer: A review.  Gynecologic Oncology.  131:772-779. 2013
    2013 Folate and folate receptor alpha antagonists mechanism of action in ovarian cancer.  Gynecologic Oncology.  131:493-498. 2013
    2012 Failure to rescue as a source of variation in hospital mortality for ovarian cancer.  Journal of Clinical Oncology.  30:3976-3982. 2012
    2011 Uterine carcinosarcoma.  Current Opinion in Oncology.  23:531-536. 2011
    2010 Long-term outcome and natural history of uterine adenosarcomas.  Gynecologic Oncology.  119:305-308. 2010
    2010 Fertility preservation in ovarian cancer 2010
    2010 Co-expression of GPR30 and ERβ and their association with disease progression in uterine carcinosarcoma.  American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  203:242.e1-242.e5. 2010
    2009 Extragenital adenosarcoma: A case report, review of the literature, and management discussion.  Gynecologic Oncology.  115:472-475. 2009
    2009 Tissue microarray analysis of hormonal signaling pathways in uterine carcinosarcoma.  American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  200:457.e1-457.e5. 2009

    Research Overview

  • Clinical Trials
    Translational Research
    Basic Science Research
    Immunotherapy
    Genomics
    Biomarker Discovery
    Early Detection
    Molecular Targeted Therapy
    Personalized Medicine
    Hereditary Ovarian Cancer Syndrome
    Carcinosarcoma

    • Principal Investigator On

  • Collaboration and Material Transfer Agreement – Ovarian Cancer Specimens  awarded by University of South Alabama
  • DETECT Study - Discovery and Evaluation of Tests for Endometrial Cancer in Tampon: IPA Assignment Agreement for Jennah Moore  awarded by National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS
  • Discovery and Evaluation of Tests for Endometrial Cancer using Tampons Evaluation of Molecular Markers in Vaginal Tampon Samples for Early Detection of Endometrial Cancer in Diverse Populations  awarded by NIH - National Institutes of Health/DHHS
  • Evaluating the Platinum-free Interval in Recurrent Endometrial Cancer: Should it Affect Decision to Retreat with Platinum-based Chemotherapy Versus Combination Lenvatinib and Pembrolizumab?  awarded by DUKE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
  • Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) Harmonization in Ovarian Cancer Tissue Samples  awarded by FRIENDS OF CANCER RESEARCH
  • Improving Immune Response in Ovarian Cancer by Modulating the Wnt Pathway  awarded by DOD - Department of Defense
  • Molecular Classification of Medically Managed Endometrial Tumors  awarded by DUKE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
  • Priming Anti-Tumor Immunity in Ovarian Cancer With Epigenetics  awarded by Foundation for Women's Cancer
  • Private Grant  awarded by SYNDAX PHARMACEUTICALS
  • Private Grant  awarded by Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
  • Private Grant  awarded by EMD SERONO
  • Private Grant  awarded by TESARO, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by GOG FOUNDATION INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by VBL THERAPEUTICS
  • Private Grant  awarded by REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by MERSANA THERAPEUTICS
  • Private Grant  awarded by OPNA-IO, LLC
  • Private Grant  awarded by GlaxoSmithKline
  • Private Grant  awarded by DECIPHERA PHARMACEUTICALS. LLC
  • Private Grant  awarded by MERCK & COMPANY, INC. ^
  • Private Grant  awarded by IMMUNOGEN, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
  • Private Grant  awarded by CHAMPIONS ONCOLOGY
  • Private Grant  awarded by FAETH THERAPEUTICS, INC
  • Review of Clinical Outcomes in Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumor (Carcinosarcoma)  awarded by MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
  • SPORE in Cervical Cancer - Core C: Tissue/Pathology Core  awarded by Johns Hopkins University
  • SPORE in Cervical Cancer - Tissue Core  awarded by Johns Hopkins University
  • The Role of TGF-B in Immune Suppression in Suboptimally Debulked Ovarian Cancer Patients  awarded by NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK
  • Treatment of Ovarian Cancer with WNT/B-Catenin Inhibitors  awarded by American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation
  • UAB 1788: Pilot Study of Daily Exemestane in Women with Complex Alypical Hyperplasia of The Endometrium / Endometrial Intraepithelial Neoplasia or Grade 1 Endometrial Cancer (Fixed Price)  awarded by University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • UAB 1788; Pilot Study of Daily Exemestane in Women with Complex Alypical Hyperplasia of The Endometrium / Endometrial Intraepithelial Neoplasia or Grade 1 Endometrial Cancer (Cost Reimbursable)  awarded by University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • UAB 18107 - A Phase 2, Single Arm Study of Atezolizumab + Bevacizumab in Women with Advanced, Recurrent or Persistent Endometrial Cancer  awarded by University of Oklahoma
  • Using the Genomic Profile of High Intermediate Risk Endometrial Cancer Patients to Differentiate Patients at High Risk of Recurrence from the Majority with Low Risk of Recurrence  awarded by FOUNDATION FOR GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY

    • Investigator On

  • COMPLETED - SPORE in Cervical Cancer - Project 5  awarded by Johns Hopkins University
  • DNA Damage as a Predictive Biomarker for Immunotherapy Response in Ovarian Cancer  awarded by DOD - Department of Defense
  • ECOG-ACRIN Purchase Service Agreement  awarded by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
  • ECOG-ACRIN Purchase Service Agreement  awarded by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
  • Effect of Microbiota Metabolism on Regulatory T cell (Treg) Function in Ovarian Tumor Metastasis  awarded by MAYO CLINIC
  • Glycosylation-Dependent Mechanisms Regulating Ovarian Tumor Cell Survival  awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences/NIH/DHHS
  • Glycosylation-dependent Mechanisms Regulating Ovarian Tumor cell Phenotype  awarded by National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS
  • NRG Oncology Member Institution Clinical Trial Fixed Price Subaward Agreement  awarded by NRG ONCOLOGY FOUNDATION
  • Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Tumor Profiling in Ovarian Cancer: Genomic and Proteomic Analysis  awarded by NRG ONCOLOGY FOUNDATION
  • Overcoming PAAP Inhibitor Resistance of BACA-Deficient Ovarian Cancers  awarded by DOD - Department of Defense
  • Private Grant  awarded by INCYTE CORPORATION
  • Private Grant  awarded by CELSION CORPORATION
  • Private Grant  awarded by ABBVIE INC
  • Private Grant  awarded by PLEXXIKON
  • Private Grant  awarded by MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP
  • Private Grant  awarded by MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP
  • Private Grant  awarded by MATEON THERAPEUTICS, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by TESARO, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by LICOR, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by Genentech
  • Private Grant  awarded by IMMUNOGEN, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by TAPIMMUNE, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by MILLENNIUM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP
  • Private Grant  awarded by SYROS PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by GENMAB
  • Private Grant  awarded by CELSION CORPORATION
  • Private Grant  awarded by ABBVIE INC
  • Private Grant  awarded by DECIPHERA PHARMACEUTICALS. LLC
  • Private Grant  awarded by IMMUNOGEN, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by MedImmune
  • Private Grant  awarded by PUMA BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by ELI LILLY AND COMPANY
  • Private Grant  awarded by AGENUS, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by ARCUS BIOSCIENCES INC
  • Private Grant  awarded by CORCEPT THERAPEUTICS, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by INCYTE CORPORATION
  • Private Grant  awarded by MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP
  • Private Grant  awarded by IMMUNOGEN, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by INCYTE CORPORATION
  • Private Grant  awarded by ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP
  • Private Grant  awarded by RUBIUS THERAPEUTICS INC
  • Private Grant  awarded by ELEVATION ONCOLOGY INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by SEAGEN INC
  • Private Grant  awarded by MedImmune
  • Private Grant  awarded by MERCK SHARP & DOHME CORP
  • Private Grant  awarded by STRATA ONCOLOGY
  • Private Grant  awarded by JOUNCE THERAPEUTICS, INC
  • Private Grant  awarded by STRATA ONCOLOGY
  • Private Grant  awarded by IMMUNOGEN, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by MedImmune
  • Private Grant  awarded by I-MAB BIOPHARMA US LIMITED
  • Prospective Correlation of Multinational Association of Supportive Care of Cancer Risk-Index Score with Management of Gynecologic Oncology Patients with Neutropenic Fever  awarded by University of Oklahoma
  • SPORE in Cervical Cancer  awarded by Johns Hopkins University
  • SPORE in Cervical Cancer  awarded by Johns Hopkins University
  • SPORE in Cervical Cancer - Core C: Tissue/Pathology Core  awarded by Johns Hopkins University
  • Treatment of Ovarian Cancer with WNT/B-Catenin Inhibitors  awarded by American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation
  • UAB 1753 A Randomized Placebo Controlled Phase II Trial of Metformin in Conjunction with Chemotherapy Followed by Metformin Maintenance Therapy in Advanced Stage Ovarian, Fallopian Tube and Primary Peritoneal Cancer  awarded by University of Chicago ^
  • UAB 1764:The Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) Study  awarded by American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • UAB NRG Oncology Master Institution Purchased Service Agreement  awarded by NRG ONCOLOGY FOUNDATION
  • UAB NRG Oncology Member Institution Purchased Service Agreement  awarded by NRG ONCOLOGY FOUNDATION
  • UAB NRG Oncology Member Institution Purchased Service Agreement  awarded by NRG ONCOLOGY FOUNDATION
  • Wnt/ß-catenin Pathway as a Target for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer  awarded by Foundation for Women's Cancer

    • Education And Training

  • Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Residency
  • Doctor of Medicine, Yeshiva University 2008

    • Full Name

  • Rebecca Arend