Understanding how dormant ovarian cancer cells resist treatment
Official title: Evaluating unique aspects of quiescent ovarian cancer cell biology for therapeutic targets
Funded at Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation · NIH-10883629 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some ovarian cancer cells can stay inactive and resist standard treatments, with the hope of finding new ways to help patients whose cancer comes back after treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $413,594 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278100-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10883629 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are ovarian cancer patients, particularly those who have experienced relapse after standard chemotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage ovarian cancer who have not yet undergone chemotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the unique biology of quiescent ovarian cancer cells, which are non-proliferating and often resistant to standard chemotherapy. By exploring the mechanisms behind this resistance, the study aims to identify new therapeutic targets that could improve treatment outcomes for patients with relapsed ovarian cancer. The researchers utilize advanced bioinformatics and molecular techniques to analyze the characteristics of these dormant cells and their role in driving chemotherapy resistance. The ultimate goal is to develop strategies that can effectively target these quiescent cells and enhance the efficacy of existing treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that effectively target and eliminate chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer cells, improving survival rates for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting quiescent cancer cells, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buckanovich, Ronald J — Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation
- Study coordinator: Buckanovich, Ronald J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding the experience of ovarian cancer after diagnosis to improve survivorship
This NIH grant funds a mixed-methods study to better understand physical and emotional challenges faced by ovarian cancer survivors and how supportive care can help them live better after diagnosis.
-
Targeting quiescent ovarian cancer cells to overcome chemotherapy resistance
A study focusing on why some ovarian cancer cells pause dividing and resist chemotherapy, with the goal of finding new treatment targets for relapsed disease.
-
Photodynamic lipids to boost chemotherapy for metastatic ovarian cancer
A patient-friendly approach tests a light-activated method to make ovarian cancer metastases more sensitive to chemotherapy.
-
Integrated framework to validate and quantify proteoforms in patient-derived ovarian cancer cells
A collaboration will combine advanced top-down proteomics with a new computational method to precisely identify and measure intact proteoforms in tiny samples from ovarian cancer cells.
-
Overcoming platinum resistance in ovarian cancer: finding biomarkers and new targets
Researchers are looking for new biomarkers and targets to help prevent or overcome platinum resistance in high‑risk ovarian cancer so patients have better chances at long-term control.
-
Alternative NF-kB activation after chemotherapy in ovarian cancer
This grant studies how ovarian cancer might come back after chemotherapy by looking at specific signaling pathways in cancer cells and the tumor environment.
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.