John Kerner, left, with John Chan

Ovarian cancer has been called "the silent killer." That's because most ovarian cancer patients are not diagnosed until the cancer has spread to other organs. The five-year survival rate is less than 30 percent. But if John Chan, MD, gets his way, the survival rate will improve significantly.

Chan, the chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at UCSF, was selected by the Gynecologic Oncology Group and National Cancer Institute to be the lead investigator of the upcoming largest clinical trial for ovarian cancer: 750 women from across the United States over approximately eight years. It's a study of novel targeted therapies to stop tumors from making new blood vessels. Without a blood supply, tumors can't grow. "If this trial is positive, it will change the way we treat ovarian cancer," says Chan.

He credits John Kerner, MD '43, with his ability to conduct significant clinical research to help women with gynecologic cancers. Kerner made a $2.5 million endowed gift to UCSF to establish the John A. Kerner Distinguished Professorship in Gynecologic Oncology. Chan currently holds that honor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences.

Kerner himself has contributed monumental improvements to women's health. He was one of the first obstetrician/gynecologists in the country to invite fathers into the delivery room. Likewise, he was one of the first to practice with midwives. And he was instrumental in disseminating the Pap smear, a screening test for cervical cancer.

In November 2007 French President Nicolas Sarkozy presented Kerner with the prestigious Legion of Honor, in recognition of Kerner's World War II service as a battalion surgeon in the Army's 35th Infantry Division.

Although he retired from his medical practice at UCSF several years ago, at the age of 90 Kerner has yet to slow down. He and a few colleagues recently formed a company to develop drugs for the treatment of prostate, breast, pancreas, colon and lung cancers, and neuroblastoma.

Kerner's patients have been so grateful over the years that they've contributed millions of dollars to the John A. Kerner Cancer Research and Education Fund, which he used to establish the chair held by Chan. Kerner proclaims, "John Chan is a charming, gentle, courteous guy, but a top surgeon — knows everything about women's cancer. He's a good teacher, and he's going to build a big program — it will be one of the best in the West."

Chan concludes that the Kerner distinguished professorship is allowing him to do just that: build a comprehensive program for gynecologic cancer. In addition to developing the nation's largest ovarian cancer clinical trial, he's also establishing a laboratory for basic science research into ovarian cancer prevention, and when the cancer recurs, individualizing treatment.

Chan recently received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a model for ovarian health. "I'm not just assessing ovarian cancer risk," Chan explains. "I also care about bone health, hot flashes and quality of life. It's integrated care and health."

"It's an objective that matches perfectly with the UCSF Women's Specialty Hospital at Mission Bay," adds Nancy Milliken, MD, director of the National Center of Excellence in Women's Health and vice dean of the UCSF School of Medicine. The hospital is scheduled to open in 2014.

To learn more about gynecologic oncology research at UCSF, contact Katherine Tick at 415/476-2278 or KTick@support.ucsf.edu.