BMAL1 and ovarian cancer: Nevertheless, our data suggest that this risk locus may modulate ovarian cancer risk by altering the ovarian stromal microenvironment, for example by influencing the character of ovarian fibroblasts or granulosa cells, both of which express BMAL1. In conclusion, our results highlight the significance of circadian rhythm gene variation in EOC susceptibility and suggest an early role for the BMAL1 gene in EOC pathogenesis.