Understanding how CA125 detection works in ovarian cancer
Official title: Clarifying the roles of glycoprotein sequence and cancer cell phenotype on the immunogenicity of ovarian cancer biomarker CA125
Funded at University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-11372868 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team is studying why the CA125 blood test sometimes misses parts of the ovarian cancer signal and how this could improve how doctors monitor the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $244,503 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM152280-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372868 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women with high-grade serous ovarian cancer or at risk of recurrence who may rely on CA125 testing for disease management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer biology does not involve CA125 pathways or who are not monitored with CA125 testing may see little to no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at the CA125 biomarker used in ovarian cancer care and asks how glycoprotein sequence, splicing, and antibody binding affect what the test detects. By exploring MUC16 variants and how they’re cut, modified, or hidden, researchers aim to improve the accuracy of CA125-based monitoring. The work combines chemistry, big data analysis, and antibody design to develop better detection strategies that reflect the true cancer biology. If successful, this could lead to more reliable tests that help guide treatment decisions for patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from more accurate CA125 tests that better inform treatment choices and monitoring.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that biomarker detection can be improved by understanding epitope presentation and proteoforms, suggesting potential for meaningful progress.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Lawrence
Lawrence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whelan, Rebecca Jean — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Whelan, Rebecca Jean
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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.