Ovarian Cancer Developmental Pilot Program
DRP: Developmental Research Program
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11173705
This program funds small pilot projects aimed at finding better ways to prevent, detect, and treat ovarian cancer for patients and survivors.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11173705 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This program supports small, translational pilot projects intended to move laboratory discoveries toward patient care. Each year it funds two projects with $50,000 each, selected through a two-tier scientific and programmatic review and supported by mentors for investigators new to ovarian cancer. Funded projects focus on prevention and early detection, mechanisms of tumor growth and treatment resistance, predictive and prognostic biomarkers, and new therapy targets. The program is run from the Hillman Cancer Center and uses local and national networks to find promising ideas and accelerate clinical impact.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with ovarian cancer, people at high risk for ovarian cancer, and survivors who are willing to donate samples or join future clinical studies are the most likely to be involved or benefit from this work.
Not a fit: People without ovarian cancer or those who need immediate, established treatments are unlikely to gain direct benefit from these pilot projects in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lead to earlier detection methods, better biomarkers to guide treatment, or new targeted therapies that reduce illness and deaths from ovarian cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Similar SPORE developmental programs have produced successful translational leads in the past—the prior joint P50 reported an approximately 35-fold return on investment—so this approach has precedent.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: OLAWAIYE, ALEXANDER — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: OLAWAIYE, ALEXANDER
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 below.
Conditions: Cancer Center, Cancer Research Programs, Cancer Research Project, Cancers