Gold nanoparticles to block harmful cell communication in ovarian tumors
Protein-nanoparticle interaction to study multicellular crosstalk within ovarian tumor microenviroment
Tiny gold nanoparticles are being used to block harmful signals between tumor and support cells in ovarian cancer to slow tumor growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260257 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use specially sized gold nanoparticles that alter protein shape to interrupt signaling between cancer cells, fibroblasts, and blood-vessel cells in the ovarian tumor environment. They will apply these nanoparticles to human tumor tissue grown in the lab and to mice carrying patient-derived ovarian tumors to observe effects on blood-vessel growth, tumor spread, and resistance to chemotherapy. The team will identify which proteins bind the nanoparticles and how those interactions change cell-to-cell communication pathways. This work builds on earlier lab and animal findings showing 20 nm gold nanoparticles can reduce pro-angiogenic factors and inhibit tumor progression without obvious toxicity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ovarian cancer—particularly those whose tumors show active blood-vessel growth or chemotherapy resistance—would be the most relevant candidates for future related trials or sample donation.
Not a fit: Patients without ovarian cancer or those receiving treatments unrelated to tumor-targeted or anti-angiogenic approaches are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to nanoparticle-based approaches that slow ovarian tumor growth and improve responses to other treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies, including work by this team, have shown that 20 nm gold nanoparticles can inhibit angiogenic signals and tumor growth in ovarian cancer models, but these findings have not yet been tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
Oklahoma City, United States
- University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr — Oklahoma City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mukherjee, Priyabrata — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Mukherjee, Priyabrata
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.