Targeting chemo-resistant neuroendocrine-like ovarian cancer cells
BCCMA: Overcoming chemoresistance in ovarian cancer: Targeting Unique Vulnerabilities in Neuroendocrine-like Ovarian Cancer Cells
Researchers are developing ways to find and target chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer cells in people with high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11130989 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, this project looks for why some high-grade serous ovarian cancers stop responding to platinum chemotherapy and become more aggressive. Teams will use advanced tissue mapping (spatial profiling), systems-level data analysis, and laboratory models to find unique vulnerabilities in neuroendocrine-like tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment. The goal is to identify biomarkers that flag resistant tumors and to pinpoint targets that could be hit with new or repurposed treatments. If promising targets are found, follow-up work could move toward tests or therapies aimed at preventing relapse.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, especially those with tumors that have become resistant to platinum chemotherapy or show neuroendocrine-like features.
Not a fit: People with other ovarian cancer subtypes, early-stage disease not treated with platinum, or tumors that lack neuroendocrine-like characteristics may not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to tests or treatments that overcome platinum resistance and lower the chance of relapse in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies using metabolic and spatial profiling approaches have shown promising leads, but clinical validation of these methods for overcoming platinum resistance remains limited.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Memarzadeh, Sanaz — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Memarzadeh, Sanaz
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.