Targeting a specific protein to treat advanced ovarian cancer
Official title: Targeting CDK7 in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10894152 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people with advanced ovarian cancer by targeting a specific protein that helps cancer cells survive, hoping to make current treatments work better for those who have few options left.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $421,071 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA262070-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894152 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with advanced high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma who have experienced treatment resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage ovarian cancer or those whose cancer is not high-grade serous may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on advanced high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), a severe form of ovarian cancer that often becomes resistant to standard treatments. The approach involves targeting a protein called CDK7, which is crucial for cancer cell survival and is often lost in these tumors. By inhibiting CDK7, the research aims to enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies and potentially improve outcomes for patients who have limited treatment options. The study will explore how this targeted therapy can work in conjunction with other treatments to combat the disease more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option for patients with advanced ovarian cancer, particularly those who have become resistant to current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting CDK proteins in various cancers, suggesting that this approach may be effective for HGSOC as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Lin — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Lin
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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.