ORCID Profile
0000-0002-9854-1379
Current Organisation
University of Otago Wellington
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.TRANON.2022.101478
Abstract: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynaecological malignancy in the developed world, and concerningly incidence is rising, particularly in younger people. Therefore, there is increased interest in novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound particles present in bodily fluids that have the potential to facilitate non-invasive, early diagnosis of EC and could aid with monitoring of recurrence and treatment response. EV cargo provides molecular insight into the tumor, with the lipid bilayer providing stability for RNA species usually prone to degradation. miRNAs have recently become a focus for EV biomarker research due to their ability to regulate cancer related pathways and influence cancer development and progression. This review evaluates the current literature on EV miRNA biomarkers with a focus on EC, and discusses the challenges facing this research. This review finally highlights areas of focus for EV miRNA biomarker research going forward, such as standardization of normalization approaches, s le storage and processing, extensive reporting of methodologies and moving away from single miRNA biomarkers.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-08-2023
Publisher: Authorea, Inc.
Date: 24-04-2023
DOI: 10.22541/AU.168229624.49096596/V1
Abstract: Background: Healthcare for transgender people can be unsafe and inequitable. Objectives : To explore the experiences of care surrounding hysterectomy as part of female to male (FtM) gender affirming surgery. Design: Qualitative observational study Setting: Aotearoa/New Zealand Participants: Ten people (out 12 people) who underwent FtM over a four-year period. Results: No one person’s experience of the FtM journey was affirming across the whole surgery journey. Transgender health literacy was central to inclusive practice as it mediated bodily autonomy being upheld. FtM (hysterectomy) surgery was described as “ life-saving ”. The physical care environment influenced the experience of the healthcare encounter. For ex le, the waiting room was intimidating, with a gendered clinic name and toilets. Some participants took a female support person artner so that “ people looking would assume that I was there supporting her, not the other way around .” Communication misalignments were evident around information provided/understood about fertility and ovarian preservation, requirement of a pre-operative pregnancy test, and post-operatively, about bleeding and when sexual intercourse could be resumed. Participants were also placed in the position of both receiving care and providing education: “ I also shouldn’t have to be going in there for treatment, and then being expected to educate the medical professional that’s meant to be helping me… I’m not getting paid to give you a TED talk on how my trans body works .” Conclusions: A whole care pathway approach to increasing transgender health literacy will facilitate better alignments in communication, uphold bodily autonomy and lead to equitable inclusive practice.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-2021
DOI: 10.1111/AJO.13461
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.YGYNO.2015.09.085
Abstract: The three major gynaecological cancers, ovarian, uterine and cervical, contribute a significant burden to global cancer mortality, and affect women in both developed and developing countries. However, unlike other cancer types that have seen rapid advances and incorporation of targeted treatments in recent years, personalised medicine is not yet a reality in the treatment of gynaecological cancers. Advances in sequencing technology and international collaborations and initiatives such as The Cancer Genome Atlas are now revealing the molecular basis of these cancers, and highlighting key signalling pathways involved. One pathway which plays a role in all three cancer types, is the Wnt signalling pathway. This complex developmental pathway is altered in most human malignancies, and members of this pathway, particularly the recently linked ROR receptor tyrosine kinases may be attractive future therapeutic targets. This review provides an up-to-date summary of research into Wnt signalling and ovarian, uterine and cervical cancers, and discusses the potential of the Wnt pathway as a future target for personalised medicine in gynaecological cancers.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-09-2023
DOI: 10.1111/AJO.13751
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-09-2019
DOI: 10.1111/AJO.13057
Abstract: Incidence of endometrial cancer is increasing rapidly in the developed world and is the most common gynaecological cancer in Australia and New Zealand. In line with obesity rates, the landscape and average age of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer are changing. There is still unmet need in early diagnosis, directed treatment, management of comorbidities and prevention strategies. This opinion piece aims to reflect on the current status of endometrial cancer in New Zealand in parallel to Australia, drawing out areas for future research and discussion.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 10-2021
DOI: 10.2147/CMAR.S327381
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.YGYNO.2018.01.025
Abstract: In recent years, the Wnt signalling pathway and the ROR1 and ROR2 receptors have been implicated in a range of gynecological cancers. These receptors have been described as prospective therapeutic targets, and this study investigated such potential in an endometrial cancer context. Immunohistochemistry for ROR1 and ROR2 was performed in a patient cohort, and expression was correlated with clinicopathological parameters including type, stage, grade, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular involvement, patient age and survival. The functional role of these receptors in endometrial cancer was investigated via siRNA knockdown of ROR1 and ROR2 in three cell line models (KLE, RL95-2 and MFE-319). Effects on proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion were measured. High ROR1 expression in patient s les correlated with worse overall survival (p = 0.0169) while high ROR2 expression correlated with better overall survival (p = 0.06). ROR1 knockdown in KLE cells significantly decreased proliferation (p = 0.047) and reduced migration and invasion. ROR2 knockdown in RL95-2 cells increased cell migration and invasion (p = 0.011). Double ROR1 and ROR2 knockdown in MFE-319 cells decreased adhesion and significantly increased cell migration (P = 0.008) and invasion (p < 0.001). ROR1 and ROR2 play distinct roles in endometrial cancer. ROR1 may promote tumor progression, similar to its role in ovarian cancer, while ROR2 may act as a tumor suppressor in endometrioid endometrial cancer, similar to its role in colorectal cancer. With several ROR-targeting therapies currently in development and phase I clinical trials for other tumor types, this study supports the potential of these receptors as therapeutic targets for women with endometrial cancer.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1039/C8BM01326H
Abstract: A novel 3D co-culture model of ovarian cancer can be used to test the efficacy of nanomedicine.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-09-2016
DOI: 10.1007/S00428-016-2019-5
Abstract: The Wnt signalling receptor receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2) is implicated in numerous human cancers. However, there have been conflicting reports regarding ROR2 expression, some studies showing upregulation and others downregulation of ROR2 in the same cancer type. The majority of these studies used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect ROR2 protein, without validation of the used antibodies. There appears to be currently no consensus on the antibody best suited for ROR2 detection or how ROR2 expression changes in various cancer types. We examined three commercially available ROR2 antibodies and found that only one bound specifically to ROR2. Another antibody cross-reacted with other proteins, and the third failed to detect ROR2 at all. ROR2 detection by IHC on 107 patient s les using the ROR2 specific antibody showed that the majority of colorectal cancers show loss of ROR2 protein. We found no association between ROR2 staining and poor patient survival, as had been previously reported. These results question the previously reported association between ROR2 and poor patient survival in colorectal cancer. Future studies should use fully validated antibodies when detecting ROR2 protein, as non-specific staining can lead to irrelevant observations and misinterpretations.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-10-2023
DOI: 10.1111/AJO.13766
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-06-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12905-020-00986-8
Abstract: Although Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) can have serious medical consequences and significantly impacts daily life, the overall trend is that most women do not seek care for these symptoms. The objective of this review was to synthesise factors impeding women’s access care for AUB. Systematic literature review of qualitative studies (interview and focus group) regarding the lived in experiences of women with abnormal menstrual symptoms, followed by a thematic analysis of these studies. We screened CINAHL, SCOPUS, ProQuest, OVID and Pubmed for qualitative studies. Studies were assessed using the Clinical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist and thematic synthesis was used to develop themes from the findings of the studies. The review yielded 12 studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Three themes were developed that described barriers for women seeking care for AUB: health literacy (understanding of normal periods, role of cervical Pap smears and lack of access to appropriate information), taboo/normalisation (fear and embarrassment of symptoms, prioritising others) and health care provider (lack of accessible and trusted female GPs and poor experiences with GPs). For 20 years women have consistently reported poor experiences in accessing care for AUB. The findings from our review indicate that drivers to impeding access are multiple therefore any approaches to improve access will need to be multi-level – from comprising local sociocultural considerations to improved GP training.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-10-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-08-2022
DOI: 10.1111/AJO.13606
Abstract: The Covid‐19 vaccine has been recommended for pregnant people (hapū māmā) in Aotearoa New Zealand since June 2021. We surveyed people birthing in a tertiary hospital regarding their vaccination status and reasons for this. There were 74% (142/191) of pregnant people who were fully vaccinated. Motivators for vaccination included protection against Covid‐19 and antibody transfer to the baby (pēpē). Unvaccinated participants worried about vaccine safety. Concerns were raised about the change in official advice without well‐communicated reasons for the change. Future vaccine and booster rollouts must be delivered equitably and hapū māmā must be a priority group.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-09-2014
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 11-2020
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-041853
Abstract: To gain a deeper understanding of women’s experiences of accessing care for abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in order to inform future strategies to improve care pathways, including the early detection of endometrial cancer. We conducted semistructured interviews with 15 women who attended their first gynaecological specialist consultation for AUB at Wellington Regional Hospital between October and December 2019. Inductive thematic analysis was used to explore experiences and barriers to seeking care. The median age of the participant cohort was 45 years, with women self-identifying as New Zealand European (9/15), Māori (2/15) and Pasifika (4/15). All women had sought investigation for their AUB in primary care, for some women this was over a timeframe of many years. For all women, AUB had a significant and traumatic impact on their quality of life including their relationships and their work or education. Women described how they felt they often received inadequate care for AUB, and reported negative experiences with their general practitioner. Timely access was further compounded by feelings of embarrassment and that AUB was a taboo subject, and being able to discuss it with family, friends and their general practitioners was difficult. Women in our cohort experienced a multitude of compounding influences that acted as barriers to them having access to appropriate and timely care. Information c aigns that create awareness around ‘abnormal periods’ alongside better health provider practice guidelines for AUB investigation need to be a priority.
Publisher: Impact Journals, LLC
Date: 20-11-2017
Publisher: Impact Journals, LLC
Date: 20-10-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.YGYNO.2014.06.004
Abstract: Aberrant Wnt signalling has previously been associated with gynaecological cancers, and the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Wnt5a in epithelial ovarian cancer, and clarify its role in activating or inhibiting β-catenin dependent and independent Wnt signalling pathways. Wnt5a expression was investigated in a large cohort of epithelial ovarian cancer patient s les using immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological variables. Wnt5a function was investigated in vitro in ovarian cell lines. Wnt5a expression was found to be upregulated in all major subtypes (serous, endometrioid, clear cell and mucinous) of epithelial ovarian cancer compared to borderline tumours and benign controls. Treatment of ovarian surface epithelial cells with recombinant Wnt5a decreased cell adhesion and was associated with increased epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, downstream targets of β-catenin dependent Wnt signalling were inhibited, and β-catenin independent targets increased following Wnt5a upregulation. Knockdown of Wnt5a in ovarian cancer cells was associated with a mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET), but had no significant effect on cell migration or proliferation. This study adds to the increasing evidence that Wnt signalling may play an important role in ovarian cancer development. Utilising an unparalleled large cohort of 623 patients, Wnt5a protein expression was shown to be significantly higher in ovarian cancer patients when compared to benign and borderline ovarian tumours and healthy control patients. In addition, we have utilised in vitro models to show for the first time in ovarian cancer that Wnt5a driven non-canonical pathways can alter epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).
No related grants have been discovered for Claire Henry.