How chemotherapy changes gene activity in ovarian cancer
Chemo-mediated transcriptional reprogramming in ovarian cancer
This project looks at how platinum chemotherapy alters which genes are turned on in high-grade serous ovarian cancer to find targets that could prevent or reverse drug resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164615 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare tumor cells that are sensitive to platinum with cells that became resistant, mapping open DNA regions and gene activity to find regulatory elements called super-enhancers. They will use single-cell methods and CRISPR-based perturbations to test which transcription factors or combinations drive the switch to a resistant state. The team integrates epigenomic (ATAC-seq) and transcriptomic data to build networks of gene control that underlie resistance. Results aim to reveal molecular targets that could be blocked so chemotherapy stays effective.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with high-grade serous ovarian cancer, especially those receiving or who have relapsed after platinum-based chemotherapy, would be most relevant for sample donation or future trials.
Not a fit: Patients with non-serous ovarian cancer subtypes or those never treated with platinum drugs may be less likely to benefit from findings focused on platinum resistance in high-grade serous disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to stop or reverse platinum resistance and make chemotherapy work longer for people with ovarian cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Combining single-cell genomics and CRISPR has revealed resistance mechanisms in other cancers, but applying these tools to chemotherapy-driven epigenetic reprogramming in ovarian cancer is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adli, Mazhar — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Adli, Mazhar
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.