How fallopian tube–origin ovarian cancer spreads inside the abdomen
Uncovering the Mechanisms of Metastasis in Fallopian Tube-Originated Ovarian Cancer
This project looks for the specific cells and molecular changes that let fallopian tube–origin high-grade serous ovarian cancer spread in women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321268 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a mouse model that mimics how fallopian tube cells turn into high-grade serous ovarian cancer and then spread through the belly. They profile individual tumor and oviduct cells with single-cell RNA sequencing to find tumor-initiating cells and the genes they use. Lab-grown tumor organoids and mouse experiments test which cells can form metastases, and the team checks whether the same cell signatures appear in human tumor samples. Together these methods aim to reveal the steps and molecules that drive early spread of this cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be women with high-grade serous ovarian cancer or those undergoing surgery for suspected ovarian/fallopian tube cancer who can donate tumor tissue or fluid samples for research.
Not a fit: Patients with other non–high-grade serous ovarian cancer types or those unable to provide tissue samples are unlikely to get direct benefit from this specific research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets or biomarkers to prevent or detect metastatic spread in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Methods like single-cell sequencing and organoid models have identified cancer-driving cells in other tumor types, but applying them to fallopian tube–origin HGSC is relatively new and still emerging.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang-Hartwich, Yang — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Yang-Hartwich, Yang
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.