This paper develops a shape factor analysis method to quantify spheroid and organoid morphology, showing it provides more reliable morphology assessments than standard shape descriptors.

APL Bioengineering · Jul 1, 2026Peer-reviewedBioengineering

Keratin 5 marks cancer-propagating cells sustained by an osteopontin-producing niche in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma

Mallikarjun Bidarimath, Coulter Q. Ralston, Nandini Bidarimath, Ian M. Rose, Darianna Colina, Elisa Schmoeckel, Andrew K. Godwin, Doris Mayr, Lora Hedrick Ellenson, Andrea Flesken‐Nikitin, Alexander Yu. Nikitin

This study identifies KRT5-expressing cells as cancer-propagating cells in HGSC that depend on an OPN-producing niche for survival and chemoresistance.

Cancer Heterogeneity and Plasticity · Apr 25, 2026Peer-reviewedCancer Biology

Comparative single-cell atlases reveal injury-driven tubal epithelial regeneration as a window for ovarian carcinoma initiation

Coulter Q. Ralston, Andrea Flesken‐Nikitin, Dah‐Jiun Fu, Christopher S. Ashe, Blaine A. Harlan, M. Mozammal Hossain, D. Y. Wang, Anna V. Yemelyanova, Elisa Schmoeckel, Andrew K. Godwin, Doris Cooper Mayr, Benjamin D. Cosgrove, Alexander Yu. Nikitin

The paper compares single-cell transcriptomes of mouse and human tubal epithelium to show injury-driven regeneration in humans may contribute to ovarian cancer initiation.

bioRxiv · Mar 30, 2026 · PreprintCancer Biology

Dysregulation of cell state dynamics during early stages of serous endometrial carcinogenesis

Andrea Flesken‐Nikitin, Matalin G. Pirtz, Christopher S. Ashe, Lora Hedrick Ellenson, Anna V. Yemelyanova, Benjamin D. Cosgrove, Alexander Yu. Nikitin

This study identifies 44 genes, including novel markers like OAS2 and OASL, as potential early diagnostic and prognostic markers for serous endometrial carcinoma using a mouse model and multi-omics approaches.

The Journal of Pathology · Sep 9, 2025Peer-reviewedCancer Biology

Combinatorial organoid mutagenesis screen reveals gene constellations driving malignant transformation, pathology and chemosensitivity in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma

Daryl J. Phuong, Coulter Q. Ralston, Tamer Ezzat, Christopher S. Ashe, Amanda P. Armstrong, Andrea Flesken‐Nikitin, Robert J. Yamulla, Alexander Yu. Nikitin, John C. Schimenti

This study uses combinatorial CRISPR mutagenesis in organoids to identify gene combinations driving malignant transformation, pathology, and chemosensitivity in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma.

bioRxiv · Mar 10, 2025 · PreprintCancer Biology