Finding weaknesses in ovarian cancer cells that survive treatment
Official title: Identifying vulnerabilities of ovarian cancer persister cells through integrated single-cell analyses
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11221427 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to better target stubborn ovarian cancer cells that stick around after treatment, with the hope of finding new ways to prevent the cancer from coming back and helping patients have better outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $95,074 |
| NIH project number | 4K00CA284283-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11221427 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been treated for ovarian cancer and are at risk of recurrence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage ovarian cancer who have not yet undergone treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how ovarian cancer cells that persist after treatment can be targeted to prevent recurrence. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to understand the unique behaviors and vulnerabilities of these residual cancer cells. The approach focuses on analyzing the metabolic and vascular changes that occur in these cells, which may provide new targets for therapy. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective treatments and improved outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly reduce the chances of ovarian cancer recurrence.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting residual cancer cells, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sunassee, Enakshi D. — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Sunassee, Enakshi D.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding the experience of ovarian cancer after diagnosis to improve survivorship
This NIH grant funds a mixed-methods study to better understand physical and emotional challenges faced by ovarian cancer survivors and how supportive care can help them live better after diagnosis.
-
Targeting quiescent ovarian cancer cells to overcome chemotherapy resistance
A study focusing on why some ovarian cancer cells pause dividing and resist chemotherapy, with the goal of finding new treatment targets for relapsed disease.
-
Photodynamic lipids to boost chemotherapy for metastatic ovarian cancer
A patient-friendly approach tests a light-activated method to make ovarian cancer metastases more sensitive to chemotherapy.
-
Integrated framework to validate and quantify proteoforms in patient-derived ovarian cancer cells
A collaboration will combine advanced top-down proteomics with a new computational method to precisely identify and measure intact proteoforms in tiny samples from ovarian cancer cells.
-
Overcoming platinum resistance in ovarian cancer: finding biomarkers and new targets
Researchers are looking for new biomarkers and targets to help prevent or overcome platinum resistance in high‑risk ovarian cancer so patients have better chances at long-term control.
-
Alternative NF-kB activation after chemotherapy in ovarian cancer
This grant studies how ovarian cancer might come back after chemotherapy by looking at specific signaling pathways in cancer cells and the tumor environment.
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.