Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Virginia Commonwealth University received a $399,187 Cancer Treatment Research grant (CFDA 93.395) from the National Cancer Institute, awarded May 7, 2026, with completion targeted for April 30, 2028. The project investigates glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), specifically chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate, as a theragnostic approach to overcome platinum resistance in gynecological malignancies, particularly platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The research focuses on understanding how elevated GAG expression contributes to chemotherapy resistance and developing GAG-targeted interventions using triplatin, a trinuclear platinum agent that preferentially accumulates in tumors with high GAG expression. The study aims to improve treatment outcomes for high-risk histologic subtypes, including clear cell ovarian carcinoma, which demonstrate inherent resistance to standard platinum-based chemotherapy and currently lack effective therapeutic alternatives.

This translational exploratory and developmental study combines fundamental laboratory research with clinical application to address the urgent clinical need of overcoming platinum resistance mechanisms in ovarian cancer. By targeting the biological pathways that mediate chemotherapy resistance through GAG expression, the research seeks to enhance drug tumor penetration and accumulation while reducing toxic side effects. The project represents a collaborative effort at Virginia Commonwealth University's Richmond, Virginia facility and aligns with the Cancer Treatment Research program's mandate to develop improved cancer treatment methods through discovery, development, and clinical testing of novel therapeutic approaches.