# The role of multi-cellular aggregates vs. individual tumor cells in metastasis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2020 · $505,123

## Abstract

Patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) are frequently diagnosed with extensive metastatic
disease, resulting in a poor prognosis. In HGSOC, metastasis occurs primarily by transcoelomic spread, where
tumor cells detach from the primary tumor, float through the peritoneal fluid, and attach to the mesothelial layer
to form new metastases. Tumor cells in patient ascites exist as single cells or in multi-cellular aggregates
similar in size to experimental spheroids. We hypothesize that single cell and aggregate-based metastasis are
distinct processes in HGSOC transcoelomic spread. To test this hypothesis, we will utilize a combination of
engineering-based approaches (in vitro culture systems, multivariate modeling, computational fluid dynamics)
and biological methods (molecular and cellular assays, analysis of patient samples, xenograft models). This
proposal leverages a diverse, collaborative team that includes experts in engineering, biology, and the clinical
presentation of HGSOC. Completion of the proposed studies will result in an improved understanding of
mechanisms regulating transcoelomic spread and identification of potential targets for future work to control
metastatic spread.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9980087
- **Project number:** 1R01CA240965-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Pamela K Kreeger
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $505,123
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-07 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9980087

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9980087, The role of multi-cellular aggregates vs. individual tumor cells in metastasis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (1R01CA240965-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9980087. Licensed CC0.

---

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