TLR4 blocker for improving fertility in PCOS
Official title: Toll-Like Receptor 4 Antagonism for Infertility Management in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11456298 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A promising, already-approved drug (disulfiram) will be tested to see if it can reduce inflammation and improve ovulation in women with PCOS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $435,691 |
| NIH project number | 1R61HD123427-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11456298 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are women with PCOS experiencing anovulatory infertility who have not yet succeeded with first-line therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Women whose infertility in PCOS is not driven by inflammatory pathways or who cannot tolerate disulfiram may not benefit.
What this research studies
PCOS is a common cause of infertility due to lack of ovulation. This project tests a new use for an existing drug, disulfiram, to calm inflammation linked to PCOS and potentially restore ovulation in affected women. Researchers will study how blocking TLR4 affects reproductive biology in animal models and plan early human studies to see if this approach can reduce the need for costly second-line treatments. The work aims to translate basic biology about immune signals into a treatment that could help more women have successful pregnancies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to a less invasive, more affordable option to restore ovulation in PCOS.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data show that blocking TLR4 improves fertility in PCOS-like mice, suggesting potential for human benefit but human data are needed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nicholas, Dequina Angelina — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Nicholas, Dequina Angelina
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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.