Blocking the APJ pathway to stop ovarian cancer cell clusters and their fat‑fuelled spread
Targeting ovarian cancer spheroid formation and metabolic adaptation by APJ inhibition
['FUNDING_R01'] · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO · NIH-11245751
This work looks at whether blocking the APJ receptor can stop high‑grade serous ovarian cancer cells from forming treatment‑resistant clusters and using fat for energy.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (AMHERST, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11245751 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have high‑grade serous ovarian cancer, this research targets a protein called APJ that helps cancer cells form multicellular spheroids and survive after detaching from the ovary. The team studies how blocking APJ changes cluster formation, cancer cell metabolism, and response to chemotherapy using lab-grown human cancer cells, fat‑cell interactions, and mouse xenograft models made from human tumors. Early results reported by the investigators show APJ inhibition reduces spheroid formation and lowers metastatic tumor burden in animal models. The aim is to use these findings to guide therapies that reduce spread and make existing drugs work better.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with high‑grade serous ovarian cancer, especially those with tumors that have spread within the abdomen or show high APJ/apelin activity, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with other ovarian cancer subtypes, early-stage disease confined to the ovary, or tumors that do not rely on APJ signaling are less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, APJ blockade could make ovarian tumors less able to metastasize and more responsive to chemotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical laboratory and mouse xenograft studies, including the investigators' prior work, show promising results, but benefit in human patients has not yet been demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
AMHERST, UNITED STATES
- STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO — AMHERST, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WOO, SUKYUNG — STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO
- Study coordinator: WOO, SUKYUNG
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.