Vaginal Metabolome Healthy Volunteers Study
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
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 risk. These samples will be compared to samples from participants with increased cancer risk and ovarian cancer diagnoses.
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 propos…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 30–50 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * has ovaries Exclusion Criteria: * 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)
Interventions
- OtherSelf-Administered Sample Collection
Participants will collect vaginal swabs and a stool sample.
Location
- Abramson Cancer Center of the University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania