Test for detecting ovarian cancer using uterine washings
Biomarker Developmental Laboratory (BDL)
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-10916293
This project is building a lab test that looks at DNA changes and protein signals in uterine washings to help find ovarian cancer earlier in women.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-10916293 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team collects uterine lavage (wash) samples and separates the cellular pellet and the fluid for lab analysis. They search the whole genome in the cell pellet for DNA hypomethylation patterns and use highly sensitive proximity extension protein assays on the fluid to find tumor-related proteins. Machine learning will combine the methylation signal and a selected panel of proteins to build a single combined classifier. The combined test will be trained on known cases and controls and then tested on additional uterine lavage samples to measure how well it detects ovarian cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women at increased risk for ovarian or fallopian tube cancer or those undergoing gynecologic procedures where a uterine lavage can be collected would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without a uterus, men, or patients with cancers not related to the ovary or fallopian tube are unlikely to benefit from this specific test.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this test could detect ovarian cancer earlier and less invasively than current methods, potentially improving treatment options and outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies have shown promise using uterine samples and molecular markers to signal ovarian cancer, but combining genome-wide methylation, proximity extension protein panels, and machine learning is a newer approach that remains to be validated.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SKATES, STEVEN J — MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: SKATES, STEVEN J
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.