Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the growth of ovarian cancer cells or other serosal cancer cells are disclosed. The method involves exposing the cells to a benzylidinebenzohydrazide of formula: wherein X is carbon or nitrogen.

Abstract: The discovery of clonally pure populations of serosal cancer stem cells (CSCs) as well as methods of producing CSCs, culturing the CSCs and using them in screening assays, has lead to the development of methods of treating serosal and ovarian cancers by targeting removal or inhibition of the glycocalyx coat surrounding such cells, and includes combination therapies using particular chemotherapeutics in conjunction with glycocalyx inhibitors, as well as the same new chemotherapy treatments without targeting the glycocalyx, where the chemotherapeutic agent is any one of LBH-589 (Panobinostat), NVP-AUY922, LAQ824 (NVP-LAQ824, Dacinostat), colchicine, brefeldin A, diphenyleneiodonium chloride, any combination thereof or another agent identified herein. These treatment methods of the invention can also be used in combination with radiation treatment or other conventional cancer therapy.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the growth of ovarian cancer cells or other serosal cancer cells are disclosed. The method involves exposing the cells to a benzylidinebenzohydrazide of formula: wherein X is carbon or nitrogen.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the growth of ovarian cancer cells or other serosal cancer cells are disclosed. The method involves exposing the cells to a 2-amino-4H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran-3-carbonitrile of formula: whereinY is CR1 or N and Z is CR5 or N.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clonally pure population of serosal cancer stem cells (CSCs) as well as methods of producing and culturing the CSCs and uses thereof. The CSCs form catenae (free floating chains of cells) which have a glycocalyx coat of hyaluronan and proteoglycans. This discovery has lead to the development of methods of treating serosal and ovarian cancers by targeting removal or inhibition of glycocalyx formation, including combination therapies using chemotherapeutics in conjunction with glycocalyx inhibitors. The invention also provides drug screening assays for identifying compounds effective against these CSCs as well as other serosal cancer cells. Methods to use catena gene signatures, protein and surface antigens are provided for monitoring patient samples for the presence of serosal cancer stem cells.