Despite decades of research and medical advances, treatment options for high-grade serous ovarian cancer – the most aggressive and common form of the illness – remain largely unchanged since the 1950s. However, new research led by Associate Professor James Cronin at Swansea University is aiming to change this with funding from the prestigious Medical Research Council Impact Acceleration Account.

The research team is breaking new ground in the fight against ovarian cancer by targeting a little-explored aspect of tumour biology: cancer metabolism.

High-grade serous ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late and is notoriously resistant to conventional therapies. Although a new generation of drugs is now reaching the market, there remains a crucial gap between their availability and proven effectiveness in clinical practice. One of the central challenges lies in the ability of cancer cells to adapt to treatments. These cells rewire their metabolism, using available nutrients to fuel growth, survive stress, and ultimately resist therapy.

Dr Cronin’s research investigates the unique metabolic pathways that ovarian cancer cells rely on to thrive, especially under treatment pressure. The team has homed in on a particular enzyme responsible for converting amino acids – essential building blocks of proteins and energy – into forms that cancer cells can exploit. Currently, there are no drugs that specifically target this molecule.

By focusing on this metabolic adaptation, Cronin’s work represents a promising new understanding. Through advanced screening techniques, the research team has identified 70 chemical compounds that interact with the target molecule. Among these, five have already shown significant promise that could form the basis of future drug development. These hits demonstrate potential for selectively impairing the metabolic functions of ovarian cancer cells, opening the door to novel therapies that could work either alone or in combination with existing treatments.

The identification of these compounds marks an exciting early milestone. The next steps will involve refining these leads, testing their safety and efficacy, and eventually moving toward preclinical trials.

This project exemplifies the power of innovation-driven research backed by collaborative efforts.