Liquid biopsy clues: plasma bacteria as early warning for epithelial ovarian cancer
Official title: Integrative Analysis of the Blood Plasma and Tumor Microbiome: A Novel Approach to Liquid Biopsy Screening for Early Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Detection
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-11382454 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly look at a new approach that uses tiny bacteria signals in blood to help detect ovarian cancer early.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2019 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $213,470 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM130423-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382454 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women at risk for epithelial ovarian cancer or with concerning symptoms may be eligible for future participation if the study advances to clinical testing.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or those without ovarian cancer risk are unlikely to directly benefit from this screening approach.
What this research studies
This project explores whether bacteria present in a person’s blood reflect ovarian cancer at its earliest stage, potentially offering a noninvasive screening option. Researchers will analyze 16S rRNA patterns in plasma to identify bacterial markers linked to ovarian cancer and validate them as possible screening targets. The study aims to distinguish cancer from benign conditions and other solid tumors, and to understand where the bacteria in plasma might come from, possibly the ovarian tumor itself. If successful, this work could lead to a blood test that signals early disease, guiding timely medical decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A potential blood-based screening tool could enable earlier detection of ovarian cancer, improving treatment options and outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown that microbial signals can be associated with certain cancers, but a validated plasma-based bacterial biomarker approach for early ovarian cancer is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mahoney, Diane E — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mahoney, Diane E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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TAG72 CAR-T therapy for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer
A targeted CAR-T cell therapy delivered into the abdomen for women with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer to attack cancer cells expressing TAG72.
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Understanding how cancer cells talk to the immune system and how to use that to treat ovarian cancer
This grant studies how aging-like changes in ovarian cancer cells drive harmful signals and tests new ways to block those signals to improve treatment.
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Targeting the immune system to help treat recurrent ovarian cancer
Aims to test a new approach that blocks a part of the immune system (complement) to boost anticancer immunity in people with recurrent ovarian cancer and fluid buildup.
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Th17-inducing vaccine plus pembrolizumab for recurrent ovarian cancer
A phase I/II study tests a vaccine that activates Th17 immune cells together with pembrolizumab to help fight recurrent ovarian cancer.
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CAR T-cell therapy targeting TAG72 for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer
This trial tries a CAR T‑cell treatment that targets the TAG72 protein for people with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, given directly into the abdomen.
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How fat use changes make ovarian cancer more invasive and chemo‑resistant
This project looks at whether shifts in how ovarian cancer cells use fats make them more likely to spread and resist chemotherapy for people with epithelial ovarian cancer.
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.