Exosomes carrying SPHK1 and ovarian cancer growth
Role of exosomal SPHK1 in ovarian cancer progression
Looking at whether tiny particles released by ovarian tumors that carry SPHK1 help the cancer hide from the immune system and whether blocking that pathway could improve treatment for people with ovarian cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261055 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be asked to give blood and possibly tumor samples so researchers can isolate small particles called exosomes that tumors release. Scientists will measure levels of SPHK1 and the signaling lipid S1P in those exosomes and check how they affect immune markers such as PD-L1 and T cell activity. Laboratory models and patient-derived samples will be used to test whether blocking SPHK1 or S1P signaling restores immune killing of cancer cells. The goal is to determine if exosomal SPHK1 is a target that could make immunotherapy work better for ovarian cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with ovarian cancer who are willing to provide blood samples and/or allow use of tumor tissue for research would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without ovarian cancer or those looking for immediate therapeutic benefit should not expect direct benefit from participating in this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost immune-based treatments for people with ovarian cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Immune checkpoint drugs have had limited success in ovarian cancer, and targeting SPHK1/exosomal S1P is a newer approach with promising laboratory evidence but little clinical proof so far.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pradeep, Sunila — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Pradeep, Sunila
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.