Stopping Ovarian Endometriomas by Targeting Cell Aging
Targeting cellular senescence to inhibit the development and progression of ovarian endometriomas
This work explores new ways to prevent and treat ovarian endometriomas, a type of endometriosis that doesn't respond to typical hormone treatments, by focusing on how cells age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11138752 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Ovarian endometriomas are deep endometriosis lesions on the ovary that do not respond to hormonal therapy and carry a higher risk of developing clear cell ovarian cancer. This project aims to uncover the unique causes of endometriomas to improve the lives of women. Researchers are using a special mouse model that naturally develops endometriomas, similar to those in humans, to understand how these lesions form. They found that these endometriomas have many 'senescent' cells, which are cells that have stopped dividing and release inflammatory substances. The goal is to target these senescent cells to stop endometriomas from developing and getting worse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with ovarian endometriomas, especially those whose condition does not respond to hormonal therapies, could potentially benefit from future treatments developed from this work.
Not a fit: Patients without ovarian endometriomas or those whose endometriosis responds well to current hormonal treatments may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for ovarian endometriomas, potentially reducing their development, progression, and associated cancer risk.
How similar studies have performed: This approach of targeting cellular senescence in endometriomas is a novel area of investigation, building on existing knowledge of cellular senescence in other diseases.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hawkins, Shannon Michelle — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Hawkins, Shannon Michelle
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.