Improving ovarian cancer treatment by targeting a specific protein complex
Official title: Targeting PP4 to improve ovarian cancer response to immunotherapy
Funded at Mayo Clinic Arizona · NIH-10898736 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called PP4 might help make immunotherapy work better for people with high-grade serous ovarian cancer, especially since this type of cancer often doesn't respond well to chemotherapy. The goal is to find out how problems with the way cells repair DNA can boost the immune system's ability to fight tumors, which could lead to better treatment options for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | August 3, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $434,357 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA276047-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898736 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with high-grade serous ovarian cancer, particularly those who have not responded well to chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage ovarian cancer or those who have not undergone chemotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how targeting the PP4 protein complex can enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy in treating high-grade serous ovarian cancer, which is often resistant to chemotherapy. The study aims to understand how deficiencies in the DNA damage response can increase the immune response against tumors, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes. By exploring the role of PP4 in tumor immunogenicity and the recruitment of immune cells, the research seeks to develop new therapeutic strategies that could improve responses to existing cancer treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for women with chemo-resistant ovarian cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in enhancing immunotherapy responses by targeting similar pathways, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Curtis, Marion — Mayo Clinic Arizona
- Study coordinator: Curtis, Marion
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Next-Generation NK Cell Therapy for Ovarian Cancer
A cutting-edge, donor-derived natural killer (NK) cell therapy is being developed to treat ovarian cancer more safely and effectively than traditional CAR-T approaches.
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Targeting PP4 to boost ovarian cancer response to immunotherapy
A Mayo Clinic study aims to see if inhibiting PP4 can make chemo-resistant ovarian cancer more responsive to immunotherapy.
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Enhancing Cancer Immunotherapy for Resistant High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer with a New Platinum Nanotherapy
A new platinum-based nanotherapy is being tested to help women with chemoresistant high-grade serous ovarian cancer survive longer by boosting cancer-killing immune responses.
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Next-generation engineered NK cell therapy for ovarian cancer
This project offers a new off-the-shelf NK cell treatment designed to attack ovarian cancer, especially disease that is resistant to platinum chemotherapy.
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Improving ovarian cancer treatment with immunotherapy by targeting PP4
This project looks at how blocking a protein called PP4 might make immunotherapy work better for women with ovarian cancer.
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Investigating a new immunotherapy approach for ovarian cancer
This study is testing a new treatment for advanced ovarian cancer that combines a special immune therapy with a vaccine to help your body fight the cancer better, and it’s looking for patients to see how well it works and if it’s safe.
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.