Investigating how acetylcarnitine affects ovarian cancer treatment resistance
Official title: Acylcarnitine Metabolism in Ovarian Cancer Chemoresistance
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11072507 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a substance called acetylcarnitine might help make a tough type of ovarian cancer, which often doesn't respond well to chemotherapy, more sensitive to treatment by affecting how the cancer repairs its DNA.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $686,654 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA298386-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11072507 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma who are experiencing chemotherapy resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of ovarian cancer or those who are not currently undergoing chemotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), a common type of ovarian cancer that often becomes resistant to chemotherapy. The study aims to understand how acetylcarnitine, a compound involved in metabolism, influences the cancer's ability to repair DNA damage, which is a key factor in its resistance to treatment. By mapping the effects of acetylcarnitine on histone acetylation and DNA repair mechanisms, the researchers hope to identify new ways to make HGSOC more responsive to standard chemotherapy. This could lead to innovative therapies that target the metabolic pathways involved in chemoresistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment strategies that improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting metabolic pathways to overcome chemoresistance in various cancers, suggesting that this approach may be viable.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aird, Katherine Marie — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Aird, Katherine Marie
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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.