Investigating how tumor cell clusters affect the spread of aggressive ovarian cancer
Official title: The role of multi-cellular aggregates vs. individual tumor cells in metastasis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11129255 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how groups of cancer cells behave differently from single cancer cells in spreading high-grade serous ovarian cancer, with the hope that understanding this could help find better treatments for patients facing this and similar aggressive cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,041 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA240965-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129255 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 or uterine serous carcinoma, particularly those with advanced disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who do not have high-grade serous ovarian cancer or uterine serous carcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of multi-cellular aggregates versus individual tumor cells in the spread of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). By developing in vitro models, the study aims to analyze how these tumor structures influence invasion and metastasis, particularly in uterine serous carcinoma, a related aggressive cancer. The research will explore the mechanisms behind tumor cell behavior, including the role of specific proteins that may affect cancer progression. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved treatment strategies for these aggressive cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches that improve outcomes for patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer and uterine serous carcinoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding tumor behavior in related cancers, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kreeger, Pamela K — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Kreeger, Pamela K
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Tumor-Niche Co-evolution in Ovarian Cancer Metastasis and Resistance
This research explores how ovarian cancer cells interact with their surrounding tissue to understand how metastasis and resistance to therapy develop, with potential to guide better treatments.
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This work looks for molecular changes in the tumor surroundings that switch on c‑Jun and AKT2 and help ovarian cancer cells spread, aiming to guide new treatments for people with metastatic ovarian cancer.
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How fallopian tube–origin ovarian cancer spreads inside the abdomen
This project looks for the specific cells and molecular changes that let fallopian tube–origin high-grade serous ovarian cancer spread in women.
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How chemotherapy can activate MASP and help ovarian cancer spread
This project looks at whether common chemotherapy drugs trigger a protein called MASP that helps high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells spread, with the aim of protecting patients from metastatic relapse.
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How the environment affects ovarian cancer spread and treatment.
This study is looking at how ovarian cancer cells move and spread in the body by using a special lab model that acts like human tissue, with the goal of finding new ways to help improve treatment for people with advanced ovarian cancer.
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Investigating how chemotherapy affects ovarian cancer spread
This study is looking at how chemotherapy might sometimes make high-grade serous ovarian cancer spread more quickly, and it aims to find new ways to help prevent this from happening, so patients can have better treatment outcomes.
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.