How chemotherapy can activate MASP and help ovarian cancer spread
Chemotherapy induced MASP activation and ovarian cancer metastasis
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · NIH-11267994
This project looks at whether common chemotherapy drugs trigger a protein called MASP that helps high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells spread, with the aim of protecting patients from metastatic relapse.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11267994 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
I have high-grade serous ovarian cancer and my care often includes surgery plus platinum/taxane chemotherapy, but relapse is common. This research will examine how chemotherapy might change tumor cells or the abdominal environment to activate a protein called MASP and promote cancer cells detaching, attaching to the peritoneal lining, and invading other organs. The team will study patient tumor samples, laboratory cell models, and animal models and use molecular tests to track MASP activity and the steps of metastasis. They will also test strategies to block the MASP-related signals that may drive chemotherapy-induced spread.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with high-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer, especially those receiving or scheduled to receive platinum/taxane chemotherapy, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients with non-epithelial ovarian tumors, very early-stage disease not treated with chemotherapy, or unrelated cancer types may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal ways to prevent chemotherapy-driven spread of ovarian cancer and reduce the risk of relapse.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies suggest chemotherapy can promote metastatic traits in cancer cells, but targeting MASP specifically is a newer idea with limited clinical testing so far.
Where this research is happening
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE — BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ANTALIS, TONI M — UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- Study coordinator: ANTALIS, TONI M
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.
Conditions: Anti-Cancer Agents