Understanding how lipid metabolism affects invasive ovarian cancer cells
Official title: Lipid Metabolism Switch Triggers Invasive and Chemoresistant Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Phenotype
Funded at Brown University · NIH-10893352 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some ovarian cancer cells become tough and hard to treat with chemotherapy, and it aims to find out what makes these cells survive and grow, which could help develop better treatments for patients with this type of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $334,546 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA266415-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893352 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, particularly those experiencing treatment resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-epithelial ovarian cancers or those who are not currently undergoing treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex nature of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), focusing on how certain cancer cells become invasive and resistant to chemotherapy. By analyzing tumor organoid cultures, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind the survival and proliferation of drug-resistant cancer cells, particularly polyploidal giant cancer cells. The researchers will explore how metabolic changes in these cells, triggered by stressors like nutrient deprivation and hypoxia, contribute to their aggressive behavior. This work seeks to provide insights that could lead to more effective treatments for EOC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that more effectively target and eliminate invasive and chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cancer cell metabolism and its role in treatment resistance, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dawson, Michelle R — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Dawson, Michelle R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
Liquid biopsy clues: plasma bacteria as early warning for epithelial ovarian cancer
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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.
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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.
-
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.