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Ovarian CancerNCT06962059

Healthy Volunteers Study

An observational study of Ovarian Cancer and Genetic Predisposition to Disease, run by Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of the bacterial environments and metabolites in the early detection and prediction of ovarian cancer development. Vaginal swabs and stool samples will be collected from healthy volunteers, or those without a known ovarian cancer diagnosis or genetic ovarian cancer… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 30 to 50 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Self-Administered Sample Collection
How many people
50 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
21 Apr 2025to 25 May 2027
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 30 to 50 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Study population: Eligible participants will be patients of the Cancer Risk Evaluation Program at the Abramson Cancer Center. Patients who meet the above criteria will be approached to participate as healthy volunteers.

Who may be able to join

  • has ovaries

Who cannot join

  • genetic mutations which increase risk of ovarian cancer: BRCA1/2, BRIP1, PALB2, Lynch Syndrome (MLH1, MSH2/EPCAM, MSH6) and ATM
  • no genetic testing results or unknown genetic status
  • prior cancer diagnosis
  • prior cancer treatment
  • HRT use
  • Antibiotic use (1 month prior to providing sample)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104

    Susan Domchek, MD, 855-216-0098, PennCancerTrials@emergingmed.com

    Susan Domchek, MD

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Vaginal Metabolome Healthy Volunteers Study

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of the bacterial environments and metabolites in the early detection and prediction of ovarian cancer development. Vaginal swabs and stool samples will be collected from healthy volunteers, or those without a known ovarian cancer diagnosis or genetic ovarian cancer risk. These samples will be compared to samples from participants with increased cancer risk and ovarian cancer diagnoses.

Read the detailed description

This study will examine the role of the microbiome and its metabolites in early detection and prediction of ovarian cancer development. It has been previously shown that the composition and function of the microbiome may play a role in the development and progression of several types of cancer. One proposed mechanism by which the microbiome may contribute to cancer development is through the production of certain metabolic byproducts. Such metabolites produced or modified by the microbiome have emerged as a prominent factor with potential local and systemic effects on the host, and were proposed to mediate the microbiome's contribution to cancer development. Microbial metabolites can promote cancer development by activating signaling pathways that promote cell growth and survival. In addition, the microbiota affects carcinogenesis through the release of carcinogenic molecules, such as genotoxins, and through the production of tumor-promoting metabolites. Furthermore, microbial metabolites have been studied as potential biomarkers for cancer, with some research suggesting that certain microbial metabolites may be able to distinguish between healthy individuals and those with cancer. The microbiome of the female reproductive tract is relatively understudied compared to the gut microbiome, but recent studies have shown that it is present and diverse in various parts of the reproductive tract such as the vagina, cervix, and fallopian tubes. however, a microbiome or metabolome signature predictive of ovarian cancer has not yet been established. Eligible individuals will be consented to provide a one-time, self-administered vaginal swab sample and stool sample. Clinical research assistants/coordinators, genetic counselors, and/or study physicians will consent patients and process and store the samples of consented participants. Participants will be provided a stool collection kit at the time of consent with instructions for providing the sample and sending it back to the laboratory.

Being tested
Self-Administered Sample Collection
Keywords
vaginal metabolome, ovarian cancer
Medical subject headings
Ovarian Neoplasms, Genetic Predisposition to Disease

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Self-Administered Sample CollectionOther

    Participants will collect vaginal swabs and a stool sample.

Study groups in NCT06962059
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Healthy VolunteerFemales 30 or older who do not have a genetic predisposition to ovarian cancer, are unaffected by cancer, and have not had bilateral oophorectomy.
Receives: Other: Self-Administered Sample Collection

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Microbiome Involvement

    Investigate the involvement of the microbiome and associated metabolites in ovarian cancer.

    Measured: One-time sample donation of vaginal swabs collected at the time of the patient's appointment. A subsequent stool sample will be provided within a week of the vaginal swab.

  2. Predictive Model

    Generate a predictive model for ovarian cancer risk and progression. Healthy volunteers will provide a control group to compare to BRCA-carrier and affected cohorts consented through the CREP Biobank study in order to mechanistically understand the function of the identified metabolites in disease prevention, initiation, progression, and treatment response.

    Measured: One-time sample donation of vaginal swabs collected at the time of the patient's appointment. A subsequent stool sample will be provided within a week of the vaginal swab.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 May 2025
  2. Study start21 Apr 2025
  3. Primary completion15 Jan 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion25 May 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrolment
50 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06962059
Sponsor's protocol ID
UPCC 01025
Status last verified
Feb 2026
First submitted
10 Apr 2025
Last updated
5 Feb 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Deidentified data of patients samples, survey answers, and complementary medical information will be shared with investigators at Stanford and Columbia. This information will be used to identify factors for analysis such as prescribed medications, treatment types and timeframes, among others.

Publications

  • Manasa G, Mascarenhas RJ, Shetti NP, Malode SJ, Aminabhavi TM. Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of Ovarian Carcinoma. ACS Biomater Sci Eng. 2022 Jul 11;8(7):2726-2746. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00390. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

    PubMed 35762531
  • Manganaro L, Celli V, Viggiani V, Berardelli E, Granato T, Tartaglione S, Farina A, Catalano C, Angeloni A, Anastasi E. CT imaging phenotypes linked to CA125 and HE4 biomarkers are highly predictive in discriminating between hereditary and sporadic ovarian cancer patients. Tumour Biol. 2022;44(1):171-185. doi: 10.3233/TUB-211557.

    PubMed 36093649
  • Menon U, Karpinskyj C, Gentry-Maharaj A. Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Screening. Obstet Gynecol. 2018 May;131(5):909-927. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002580.

    PubMed 29630008
  • Cullin N, Azevedo Antunes C, Straussman R, Stein-Thoeringer CK, Elinav E. Microbiome and cancer. Cancer Cell. 2021 Oct 11;39(10):1317-1341. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.08.006. Epub 2021 Sep 9.

    PubMed 34506740
  • Levy M, Thaiss CA, Elinav E. Metabolites: messengers between the microbiota and the immune system. Genes Dev. 2016 Jul 15;30(14):1589-97. doi: 10.1101/gad.284091.116.

    PubMed 27474437
  • Cao Y, Oh J, Xue M, Huh WJ, Wang J, Gonzalez-Hernandez JA, Rice TA, Martin AL, Song D, Crawford JM, Herzon SB, Palm NW. Commensal microbiota from patients with inflammatory bowel disease produce genotoxic metabolites. Science. 2022 Oct 28;378(6618):eabm3233. doi: 10.1126/science.abm3233. Epub 2022 Oct 28.

    PubMed 36302024
  • Kroemer G, McQuade JL, Merad M, Andre F, Zitvogel L. Bodywide ecological interventions on cancer. Nat Med. 2023 Jan;29(1):59-74. doi: 10.1038/s41591-022-02193-4. Epub 2023 Jan 19.

    PubMed 36658422
  • Dmitrieva-Posocco O, Wong AC, Lundgren P, Golos AM, Descamps HC, Dohnalova L, Cramer Z, Tian Y, Yueh B, Eskiocak O, Egervari G, Lan Y, Liu J, Fan J, Kim J, Madhu B, Schneider KM, Khoziainova S, Andreeva N, Wang Q, Li N, Furth EE, Bailis W, Kelsen JR, Hamilton KE, Kaestner KH, Berger SL, Epstein JA, Jain R, Li M, Beyaz S, Lengner CJ, Katona BW, Grivennikov SI, Thaiss CA, Levy M. beta-Hydroxybutyrate suppresses colorectal cancer. Nature. 2022 May;605(7908):160-165. doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-04649-6. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

    PubMed 35477756
  • France M, Alizadeh M, Brown S, Ma B, Ravel J. Towards a deeper understanding of the vaginal microbiota. Nat Microbiol. 2022 Mar;7(3):367-378. doi: 10.1038/s41564-022-01083-2. Epub 2022 Mar 4.

    PubMed 35246662
  • Wang J, Li Z, Ma X, Du L, Jia Z, Cui X, Yu L, Yang J, Xiao L, Zhang B, Fan H, Zhao F. Translocation of vaginal microbiota is involved in impairment and protection of uterine health. Nat Commun. 2021 Jul 7;12(1):4191. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-24516-8.

    PubMed 34234149
  • Kindschuh WF, Baldini F, Liu MC, Liao J, Meydan Y, Lee HH, Heinken A, Thiele I, Thaiss CA, Levy M, Korem T. Preterm birth is associated with xenobiotics and predicted by the vaginal metabolome. Nat Microbiol. 2023 Feb;8(2):246-259. doi: 10.1038/s41564-022-01293-8. Epub 2023 Jan 12.

    PubMed 36635575
  • Asangba AE, Chen J, Goergen KM, Larson MC, Oberg AL, Casarin J, Multinu F, Kaufmann SH, Mariani A, Chia N, Walther-Antonio MRS. Diagnostic and prognostic potential of the microbiome in ovarian cancer treatment response. Sci Rep. 2023 Jan 13;13(1):730. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-27555-x.

    PubMed 36639731
  • Zhou B, Sun C, Huang J, Xia M, Guo E, Li N, Lu H, Shan W, Wu Y, Li Y, Xu X, Weng D, Meng L, Hu J, Gao Q, Ma D, Chen G. The biodiversity Composition of Microbiome in Ovarian Carcinoma Patients. Sci Rep. 2019 Feb 8;9(1):1691. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-38031-2.

    PubMed 30737418
  • Cheng H, Wang Z, Cui L, Wen Y, Chen X, Gong F, Yi H. Opportunities and Challenges of the Human Microbiome in Ovarian Cancer. Front Oncol. 2020 Feb 18;10:163. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00163. eCollection 2020.

    PubMed 32133297
  • Nene NR, Reisel D, Leimbach A, Franchi D, Jones A, Evans I, Knapp S, Ryan A, Ghazali S, Timms JF, Paprotka T, Bjorge L, Zikan M, Cibula D, Colombo N, Widschwendter M. Association between the cervicovaginal microbiome, BRCA1 mutation status, and risk of ovarian cancer: a case-control study. Lancet Oncol. 2019 Aug;20(8):1171-1182. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(19)30340-7. Epub 2019 Jul 9.

    PubMed 31300207

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Ovarian Cancer and Genetic Predisposition to Disease, run by Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Catherine Wolfe, BA (215-360-0422, catherine.wolfe@pennmedicine.upenn.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Microbiome Involvement (time frame: One-time sample donation of vaginal swabs collected at the time of the patient's appointment. A subsequent stool sample will be provided within a week of the vaginal swab.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06962059, which also lists 15 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Feb 2026.

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Healthy Volunteers Study (NCT06962059) | AzTrials