Improving treatment for ovarian cancer that resists standard therapies
Official title: Optimizing theranostic radiopharmaceutical therapy to combat resistance to PARP inhibition in advanced ovarian cancer
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11081781 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment for advanced ovarian cancer in patients who haven't responded to regular therapies, using a special medicine that targets cancer cells with tiny radioactive particles to help destroy them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 31, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $654,915 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278882-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11081781 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer who have shown resistance to PARP inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage ovarian cancer or those who have not been treated with PARP inhibitors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on advanced ovarian cancer, particularly in patients who have developed resistance to standard treatments using PARP inhibitors. The approach involves using a novel theranostic radiopharmaceutical therapy that combines a small molecule similar to an existing drug with radioactive particles to target cancer cells directly. By delivering cytotoxic alpha particles to the nucleus of resistant cancer cells, the goal is to create lethal DNA damage that can overcome treatment resistance. The research will utilize mouse models to assess the effectiveness and safety of this new therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option for women with advanced ovarian cancer who have become resistant to current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using theranostic radiopharmaceuticals is innovative, similar strategies have shown promise in other cancers, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farwell, Michael David — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Farwell, Michael David
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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.