How chronic stress and common medicines affect immune cells in ovarian tumors
The role of biobehavioral factors and anti-inflammatory medications on the ovarian tumor immune response
This work looks at whether chronic social stress and common drugs like aspirin and beta-blockers change immune cells inside ovarian tumors for people with ovarian cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323511 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project combines tumor tissue and long-term health data from people with ovarian cancer with laboratory experiments to understand how chronic social stress changes tumor immune cells. Investigators will examine tumor samples from several large cohort studies and a population-based case-control group to measure immunosuppressive cells such as M2 tumor-associated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells and relate those findings to measures of stress and common medication use (aspirin, NSAIDs, beta-blockers, statins). In parallel, lab and animal models will test whether these medications can block or reverse the immune changes caused by chronic stress. The aim is to find whether widely available medicines or targeting stress-related pathways could reduce immune suppression in ovarian tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with ovarian cancer whose tumor tissue and health history are available through participating long-term cohort studies or through collaborating hospitals like OHSU.
Not a fit: People without ovarian cancer or whose tumors are not affected by stress-related immune pathways are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to inexpensive, widely available medicines or stress-related interventions that reduce immune suppression in ovarian tumors and improve outcomes for people with ovarian cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Some observational studies have linked stress and use of drugs like aspirin or beta-blockers to cancer outcomes, but using these medicines to directly change tumor immune cells in ovarian cancer is relatively new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tworoger, Shelley S — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Tworoger, Shelley S
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.