Understanding how certain cells in ovarian cancer can promote tumor growth after treatment
Official title: Signaling basis of senescence-associated secretory phenotype and its implications in epithelial ovarian cancer
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-10897891 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cells in ovarian cancer can survive treatment and cause the cancer to come back, with the hope of finding new ways to target these tricky cells while keeping their helpful qualities, which could lead to better treatments for patients with ovarian cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $495,433 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276569-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897891 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, particularly those with BRCA1/2 mutations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-epithelial ovarian cancers or those without BRCA mutations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific cells in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) can survive treatment and contribute to cancer relapse. It focuses on a phenomenon called the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), where these cells secrete factors that may help tumors evade the immune system. By exploring the mechanisms behind this process, the research aims to develop new therapies that can selectively target harmful aspects of these cells while preserving their tumor-suppressing qualities. Patients may benefit from innovative treatment strategies that could improve outcomes for those with EOC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that reduce the risk of cancer relapse in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting the SASP in various cancers, suggesting that this approach may lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Rugang — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Rugang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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TAG72 CAR-T therapy for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer
A targeted CAR-T cell therapy delivered into the abdomen for women with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer to attack cancer cells expressing TAG72.
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Liquid biopsy clues: plasma bacteria as early warning for epithelial ovarian cancer
A patient-friendly look at a new approach that uses tiny bacteria signals in blood to help detect ovarian cancer early.
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Understanding how cancer cells talk to the immune system and how to use that to treat ovarian cancer
This grant studies how aging-like changes in ovarian cancer cells drive harmful signals and tests new ways to block those signals to improve treatment.
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Targeting the immune system to help treat recurrent ovarian cancer
Aims to test a new approach that blocks a part of the immune system (complement) to boost anticancer immunity in people with recurrent ovarian cancer and fluid buildup.
-
Th17-inducing vaccine plus pembrolizumab for recurrent ovarian cancer
A phase I/II study tests a vaccine that activates Th17 immune cells together with pembrolizumab to help fight recurrent ovarian cancer.
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CAR T-cell therapy targeting TAG72 for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer
This trial tries a CAR T‑cell treatment that targets the TAG72 protein for people with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, given directly into the abdomen.
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.