Targeted treatments for aggressive, less common uterine and ovarian cancers
Platform to develop targeted therapies for aggressive less common gynecological cancers
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · NIH-11135491
This project uses patient-derived tumor models to find new targeted treatments for aggressive, less common uterine and ovarian cancers.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11135491 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have one of these rare gynecologic cancers, the team will use pieces of your tumor grown in lab dishes and in mice to test drugs that match the tumor's genetic weaknesses. They have created a large library of patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and primary tumor cultures that keep the original tumor's mutations and behavior. The researchers will screen therapies against these models to identify treatments that work where standard chemotherapy often fails. Promising approaches would then be moved toward early-stage clinical trials for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with aggressive, less common gynecologic cancers (for example certain uterine carcinosarcomas, papillary serous carcinoma, leiomyosarcomas, low-grade serous and clear cell ovarian cancers) or those willing to provide tumor tissue may be ideal candidates for related trials or sample donation.
Not a fit: Patients without these specific rare gynecologic cancer subtypes or those unable to provide tumor samples or travel to participating centers are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new targeted therapies for chemo-resistant uterine and ovarian cancer subtypes and improve outcomes for patients who currently have limited options.
How similar studies have performed: Patient-derived tumor models (PDX and primary cultures) have guided treatment leads in other ovarian cancer research, but applying this platform to these rare, chemo-resistant subtypes is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SIMPKINS, FIONA — UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- Study coordinator: SIMPKINS, FIONA
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.