Early ovarian cancer detection using blood tests and minimally invasive fallopian-tube imaging
Ovarian Cancer Detection with Blood- and Imaging-Based Biomarkers
Combines blood protein tests and a tiny fallopian-tube camera to find early ovarian cancer in women at high risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257652 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would give blood for protein screening and undergo a minimally invasive falloposcope procedure to image and collect cells from your fallopian tubes and ovaries. Researchers will compare blood marker changes and multispectral images to look for precancerous changes (STIC) or very early stage I/II ovarian cancer. The plan builds on preliminary data showing blood protein changes years before diagnosis and on new imaging methods and a thin falloposcope designed to traverse the uterus and tube. The initial focus is on women at high risk who want to delay or avoid removing their ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women at high genetic or family risk for ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma who wish to delay or avoid risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy.
Not a fit: Women at average risk, those who have already had their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, or those unable to undergo imaging or blood draws are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could enable earlier detection of aggressive ovarian cancer so treatment can start sooner and some women may be able to postpone or avoid risk-reducing surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Standard screening with CA-125 and pelvic ultrasound has not reliably found early ovarian cancer, and combining blood proteomics with fallopian-tube imaging is a novel approach with promising early signals but not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barton, Jennifer Kehlet — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Barton, Jennifer Kehlet
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.