Investigating piRNAs as new biomarkers for early detection of ovarian cancer
Official title: Explore piRNAs as a novel group of biomarkers for ovarian cancer early detection
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-10785263 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to find ovarian cancer early by checking for special molecules in blood and tissue samples, which could help create a simple blood test to catch the disease sooner and improve treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $411,876 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA277412-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10785263 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include women at high risk for ovarian cancer or those experiencing early symptoms of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer or those without any risk factors for ovarian cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to explore the use of Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) as potential biomarkers for the early detection of ovarian cancer. By analyzing blood samples and ovarian tissues, the study will identify specific piRNAs that are over-expressed in early-stage ovarian cancer compared to normal tissues. This innovative approach could lead to the development of a sensitive blood test for detecting ovarian cancer at an earlier stage, which is crucial for improving treatment outcomes. The research will involve advanced sequencing techniques to pinpoint these biomarkers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a reliable blood test for the early detection of ovarian cancer, significantly improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of piRNAs as biomarkers is a novel approach, previous research has shown promise in using other types of noncoding RNAs for cancer detection.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Yong — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Yong
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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.