Developing a system to test ovarian damage from cancer treatments
Official title: Ex vivo whole ovary culture system for screening gonadotoxicity during drug development
Funded at Expanse Bio LLC · NIH-10823136 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to see how chemotherapy affects women's ovaries, using a special system that keeps the ovaries healthy while testing the impact of a common cancer drug, so we can get better information about how treatments might affect fertility.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Expanse Bio LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (North Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $309,251 |
| NIH project number | 1R43HD114386-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10823136 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young women and girls diagnosed with cancer who are at risk of ovarian damage from chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing cancer treatment or who have already experienced irreversible ovarian damage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a new method to assess the impact of cancer treatments on ovarian health. By developing an ex vivo culture system that allows for the long-term observation of whole ovaries, researchers aim to better understand how chemotherapy affects ovarian function. The approach involves using a microfluidic organ perfusion device to maintain ovarian tissue in optimal conditions while testing the effects of a common chemotherapy drug. This innovative method seeks to provide more accurate data on ovarian toxicity compared to traditional models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preserving ovarian function in women undergoing cancer treatment.
How similar studies have gone: While similar approaches have been explored, this specific ex vivo whole ovary culture system represents a novel advancement in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Expanse Bio LLC
North Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ting, Alison Y — Expanse Bio LLC
- Study coordinator: Ting, Alison Y
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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.