Using light therapy to improve immune response in ovarian cancer treatment

Fractionated photoimmunotherapy to harness low-dose immunostimulation in ovarian cancer

NIH-funded research Northeastern University · NIH-10874778

This study is testing a new way to treat advanced ovarian cancer by using light therapy along with immunotherapy to help your immune system fight the cancer better while protecting healthy cells.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNortheastern University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10874778 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new treatment approach for advanced ovarian cancer that combines light therapy with immunotherapy. It aims to selectively destroy cancer cells while preserving immune cells that can help fight the cancer. The method involves using a specific type of light to activate a treatment that targets cancer cells, potentially improving the effectiveness of the immune response. By carefully controlling the dosage of the therapy, the researchers hope to enhance the immune system's ability to combat the tumor.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with advanced or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer who have not responded well to traditional therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage ovarian cancer or those who have not been diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with advanced ovarian cancer, improving survival rates and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While photoimmunotherapy has been explored before, this specific approach of dose fractionation in ovarian cancer is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancer PatientCancer Treatment
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.