How inflammation in omental (belly) fat helps ovarian cancer spread
Role of the pro-inflammatory omental microenvironment in ovarian cancer progression
This work looks at whether increasing the anti-inflammatory protein omentin and related signals in omental fat can slow spread of high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311319 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC), this project focuses on the omentum — the fatty tissue in your belly where this cancer often spreads. Researchers will measure omentin in patients' blood and omental tissue and study how omentin changes proteins made by nearby fat cells, including TSG‑6. The team will test those changes in cell experiments and mouse models, where omentin treatment affected immune cells and tumor behavior. Combining patient samples with lab models aims to identify new ways to limit cancer growth in the omentum.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with high-grade serous ovarian cancer, especially those with omental involvement or undergoing surgery that allows collection of blood or omental tissue, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without HGSC or whose cancer does not involve the omentum are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new biomarkers or treatments that reduce omental metastasis and improve survival for people with HGSC.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies and mouse experiments showed omentin reduced cancer cell invasiveness and increased CD8+ T cells, and higher pre-operative omentin in patients was linked to longer survival, but clinical treatments based on this are not yet established.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Au Yeung, Chi Lam — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Au Yeung, Chi Lam
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.