We have interrogated datasets from the TCGA database to define how the genetic and epigenetic alterations of BECN1, BRCA1 and TP53, three tumor suppressor genes that control autophagy, apoptosis, and DNA repair, contribute to the chemo-responsiveness to platinum-based therapy and the prognosis in ovarian cancers. The gene discussed is BECN1; the disease is ovarian carcinoma.