# Precancer Niche Formation in the Fallopian Tube

> **NIH VA I01** · VA GREATER LOS ANGELES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Background: Ovarian cancer is the most fatal gynecologic cancer. While curative treatments exist for early-
stage cancers, there is a lack of specific biomarkers for detecting preneoplastic lesions, which usually occur in
the fallopian tube epithelia (FTE). Normal FTE consists of small clusters of secretory and ciliated cells intermixed
in an approximately 1:1 ratio. Although the mechanism of FTE transformation is not fully understood, it is believed
that hormones and growth factors in the follicular fluid expose FTE to genotoxic stress during ovulation and that
escape from the stress-induced cell death leads to an aberrant accumulation of secretory cells. In this
microenvironment, secretory cells sometimes undergo genetic and morphologic changes that include
stratification, atypia, and loss of cell polarity, which are considered the precursor lesions to ovarian cancer.
Aberrant secretory cell accumulation is associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer and is more common
in women with germline BRCA1 mutations. However, the morphologic changes and molecular mechanisms that
lead to secretory cell transformation are unknown. Specifically, the role of ciliated cells in the formation of
precursor FTE lesions is unknown.
Preliminary data: Our histologic and molecular analyses of FTE from BRCA1 mutation carriers and non-carriers
revealed that postmenopausal BRCA1 mutation carriers have a higher ratio of secretory to ciliated cells and
increased levels of the cell survival-associated genes CDK1 and Survivin, suggesting that secretory cells escape
cell death. Unexpectedly, we observed that homotypic cell segregation and loss of ciliated cells precede
secretory cell accumulation.
Hypothesis: We propose that homotypic cell signaling and loss of ciliated cells create a favorable
microenvironment for secretory cell transformation in BRCA1 mutant FTE providing that other conditions, such
as hormonal changes and genotoxic stress, coincide and tip the balance toward uncontrolled proliferation.
Unique resources: We are the first group to differentiate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into FTE and
establish iPSC organoids from BRCA1 mutation carriers and non-carriers. We have one of the largest collections
of FTE specimens with detailed clinicopathologic and demographic data from high-risk patients. We will leverage
our recently developed computational imaging convolutional neural networks pipeline for extraction of “hidden”
preneoplastic characteristics for biomarker development and identification of potential targets for prevention.
Specific Aims: In Aim 1, we will use human and mouse FTE organoids and in vivo mouse models to test the
hypothesis that ciliated cells protect secretory cells from genotoxic stress. In Aim 2, we will test the hypothesis
that aberrant secretory cell survival under genotoxic stress can be counteracted by pharmacologic inhibitors of
genes involved in cell survival, such as CDK1 and Survivin. In Aim 3, we will integrate RNA...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9890809
- **Project number:** 1I01BX004974-01
- **Recipient organization:** VA GREATER LOS ANGELES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** SANDRA ORSULIC
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9890809

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9890809, Precancer Niche Formation in the Fallopian Tube (1I01BX004974-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9890809. Licensed CC0.

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