# Dynamic Interactions of the Ovarian-Fallopian Axis in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2024 · $622,570

## Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal cancer of the female reproductive system, with over 21,000 new ovarian
cancer diagnoses and 14,000 deaths annually in the US. The total lifetime number of ovulations is a key risk
factor for developing ovarian cancer. Factors that repress ovulation reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, such as
oral contraceptives, pregnancy, lactation, and late menarche. The most common and deadly histotype of ovarian
cancer, termed high grade serous cancer (HGSC), likely originates from the fallopian tube epithelial cells, and
not the ovary. The frequent detection of tumors in the ovary, which resulted in the name “ovarian cancer”,
suggests that the ovary provides a unique anatomical location for tumor migration and expansion. Since most
research supports that the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE) is the source of ovarian cancer, it becomes critical to
understand how ovulation contributes to tumor initiation in this site. Our team developed three-dimensional
organotypic cultures supported in a state-of-the-art microfluidic platform that supports the ovary to produce
dynamic hormone profiles that closely mimic the 28-day human reproductive menstrual cycle and ovulation on
platform. This R01 renewal builds on this successful collaboration to expand our technology and models to
elucidate the mechanisms whereby blocking ovulation prevents FTE carcinogenesis and ovarian colonization.
We hypothesize that ovulation and the ovarian microenvironment contributes to the development FTE-derived
high grade serous tumors and that ovarian secreted factors drive primary metastasis. Aim 1 leverages our ability
to ovulate multiple ovaries in our MPS system called PREDICT-MOS to investigate mechanisms of
transformation. Using a unique panel of isogenic cell lines that include non-tumorigenic cells, preneoplastic lesion
models, and tumor models all derived from fallopian tube origin we will investigate how secreted factors from the
ovary produced during ovulation impact proliferation, soft agar colony formation, and spheroids. We will
determine if ovarian secretions increase DNA damage, replication stress, and copy number variation. Lastly, we
test if exposure to ovulation drives tumor formation. Aim 2 will focus on the notion that ovulation generates a
preneoplastic lesion and increased stemness through a secretory cell outgrowth using innovative iPSC-derived
fallopian tube organoids. Organoids will be engineered to model early tumor lesions and monitored in terms of
transformation in response to ovulation on platform. In Aim 3, we will investigate the mechanisms responsible
for fallopian tube tumor cell colonization of the ovary. Proteomics of ovulatory secretions found both versican
and IGF2 are higher after ovulation. We will investigate prevention of ovarian colonization by blocking versican
and IGF2 signaling in cell lines, 3D bioprinted models, primary tissue, and in vivo. Overall, this grant will employ
unique devices, primary human tissues, and...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10992407
- **Project number:** 2R01CA240301-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Joanna E Burdette
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $622,570
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2019-07-10 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10992407

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10992407, Dynamic Interactions of the Ovarian-Fallopian Axis in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (2R01CA240301-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10992407. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*