Early ovarian cancer detection using uterine wash and Pap-smear fluid tests
Genome-wide methylation and proteomic analysis of uterine lavage and cervical swab for early detection of ovarian cancer
A combined DNA methylation and protein test on uterine wash and Pap-smear fluid to find early ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women at average risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10916219 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would give a uterine lavage (a gentle uterine wash) and a cervical/Pap swab so researchers can look for cancer signals. The team will use a genome-wide DNA methylation test together with a very sensitive antibody-based proteomic test to find tiny tumor signals among normal cells. They will first develop and fine-tune the combined test on known samples, then validate its performance on separate uterine wash samples and see if the signal can be detected in routine Pap smear material. The goal is to detect ovarian cancer early enough that treatment is more likely to be curative.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Postmenopausal women at average (normal) risk of ovarian cancer who can provide a uterine lavage or a Pap/cervical swab at a participating site.
Not a fit: People with advanced ovarian cancer, those unable or unwilling to undergo uterine lavage or Pap sampling, and premenopausal women outside the target group are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could catch ovarian cancer earlier using samples collected during routine gynecologic care, potentially improving curative treatment rates.
How similar studies have performed: Prior blood-based screening efforts did not reduce deaths, and using uterine lavage plus combined methylation and proteomic testing is a relatively new approach with promising early signals but not yet proven in large outcomes studies.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skates, Steven J — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Skates, Steven J
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.