# Experiences of Discrimination, Dysbiosis, and Racial Disparities in Ovarian Cancer

> **NIH NIH K01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $122,169

## Abstract

Abstract
In 2020, over 21,000 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer (OC). While there have been significant
therapeutic advances, effective screening for OC remains elusive. Women are more likely to present with an
advanced disease stage, contributing to the dismal five-year survival rate of 48%. Mortality is
disproportionately higher among Black women. Evidence has shown a multi-dimensional contribution to this
disparity and, while there has been extensive investigation into socioeconomic and environmental
determinants, biological contribution to the survival disparity is understudied. Because cancer disparities are
multifactorial, it is imperative to study the mechanisms through which social determinants impact biological risk
factors that influence advanced-stage OC. Experiences of discrimination (EOD) are more prevalent among
Black women and have been associated with chronic inflammation, a risk factor for advanced-stage OC. The
more aggressive subtypes of OC, including high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), arise from high in the
reproductive tract. Inflammation that occurs in this region may be the direct result of changes in the vaginal
microbiome that increase pH and promote ascending infection. Therefore, a potential pathway by which EOD
may influence development of advanced-stage OC is through dysregulation of the vaginal microbiome, a
phenomenon known as vaginal dysbiosis. The central thesis of this study is that psychosocial stress secondary
to EOD contributes to advanced-stage OC via vaginal dysbiosis. The proposed study will collect vaginal
microbial samples from Black and White women with OC and characterize the microbial community using 16S
rRNA sequencing. Subsequently, we propose to conduct an in-depth association study evaluating the
relationships between EOD, vaginal dysbiosis, OC stage, and survival. The associated R01-funded ORCHiD
study will provide extensive information on measures of acute stress, socioeconomic and environmental
factors as well as OC stage at diagnosis, course of treatment, and survival follow-up. Findings from this study
will direct future analysis of the compounded social and biological effect of psychosocial stress on OC etiology
and survival. The results of this study are essential to understanding the interaction of social and biological
mechanisms in OC disparity. Findings will inform future studies testing clinical interventions, for example, the
use of anti-inflammatory medications, as a potential strategy to mitigate disparities in advanced-stage OC.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10847314
- **Project number:** 5K01CA255408-02
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** April Deveaux
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $122,169
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-05-24 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10847314

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10847314, Experiences of Discrimination, Dysbiosis, and Racial Disparities in Ovarian Cancer (5K01CA255408-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-30 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10847314. Licensed CC0.

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