Understanding how the vaginal microbiome affects ovarian cancer differently across races and ethnicities
Official title: Elucidating racial and ethnic differences in functional effects of the vaginal microbiome in ovarian cancer
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10984588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in the vagina might affect ovarian cancer differently in women from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, especially focusing on Black and Hispanic women compared to White women, to help understand why some groups may have worse outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $189,540 |
| NIH project number | 1K22CA285820-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10984588 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, particularly those from Black and Hispanic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have ovarian cancer or those from racial and ethnic groups not represented in the study may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the vaginal microbiome in ovarian cancer, focusing on how its effects may differ among various racial and ethnic groups. The study aims to uncover biological factors that contribute to health disparities in ovarian cancer outcomes, particularly among Black and Hispanic women compared to White women. By analyzing the composition of the vaginal microbiome and its metabolic profiles, researchers hope to identify how these differences may influence cancer progression and survival rates. This work combines advanced quantitative training with a focus on molecular cancer epidemiology to address these critical health disparities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for ovarian cancer that are tailored to the unique biological profiles of different racial and ethnic groups.
How similar studies have gone: While there is a growing body of research on health disparities in cancer, this specific investigation into the vaginal microbiome's role in ovarian cancer outcomes across different racial and ethnic groups is novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Osazuwa-Peters, Oyomoare L — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Osazuwa-Peters, Oyomoare L
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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.