Cancer and other health risks in women with primary ovarian insufficiency (early ovarian failure)
Comorbid Disease in Women with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
This project uses family health records, genetic sequencing, and new AI tools to learn whether women with primary ovarian insufficiency and their relatives face higher cancer risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11270640 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be joining a project that links three-generation family records from the Utah Population Database with detailed genetic testing and new computer algorithms to spot cancer patterns tied to early ovarian failure. Researchers will use whole genome sequencing on women with POI and study lab models to understand how identified gene changes affect DNA repair and cancer-related biology. AI-driven cancer-clustering tools will search for increased cancer risk in affected women and their first-, second-, and third-degree relatives. Findings will be checked in additional groups to confirm whether specific genes or family histories raise cancer risk and could guide screening or counseling.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are women diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency (loss of ovarian function before age 40) and their family members, especially those with histories of breast, colon, or prostate cancer.
Not a fit: People without POI or without relevant family cancer history are unlikely to be included and are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal cancer risks tied to POI and help guide earlier screening, genetic counseling, or family risk management.
How similar studies have performed: Prior genetic studies have found candidate genes in about 23–30% of POI cases and suggested family links to cancer, but combining whole genome sequencing with AI-driven cancer-clustering is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Welt, Corrine K — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Welt, Corrine K
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.