A new blood test has shown potential in detecting ovarian cancer at its early stages, which could greatly improve treatment outcomes for patients. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most common and lethal form of ovarian cancer, with limited screening options available to detect it during its early stages. Biopsies are typically not feasible in determining whether a pelvic mass is benign or cancerous before surgery, making it difficult for doctors to choose the most appropriate course of treatment. However, recent preclinical research published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research suggests that a simple blood test could be an effective tool in determining the nature of a pelvic mass.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine, focused on detecting specific nucleic acids in the blood, which can indicate the presence of ovarian cancer. The blood test, known as OvaPrintTM, demonstrated a higher accuracy rate in differentiating between benign and cancerous masses when compared to existing tests. This information could help healthcare professionals determine the best treatment strategy for patients with a known pelvic mass, as well as potentially serve as a screening tool for early-stage ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women.
Early detection of ovarian cancer is crucial, as patients diagnosed at an early stage have a more than 90% chance of living for five years or more, compared to less than a 40% chance for those diagnosed in advanced stages. The OvaPrintTM test utilizes cell-free DNA methylation, a promising approach in detecting various types of early-stage cancers. By identifying DNA fragments in the blood that have undergone methylation at specific nucleic acids, the test can detect high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma when it is easier to treat.
The study focused solely on the HGSOC subtype of ovarian cancer, with over 370 tissue and blood samples collected and analyzed. Next-generation sequencing methods were used to identify genomic regions with different DNA methylation patterns in normal tissue and HGSOC tissue. The researchers then developed a blood test that could detect DNA fragments in the blood that had been methylated at these specific nucleic acids. The test was evaluated using blood plasma samples from patients with HGSOC and those with benign ovarian masses.
The accuracy of a diagnostic test is determined by its sensitivity (the rate of false negative results) and its specificity (the rate of false positive results). OvaPrintTM demonstrated an accuracy rate of 91%, indicating both high sensitivity and high specificity. This distinguishes it from other tests on the market, which may have high sensitivity but low specificity or vice versa.
The lead researcher, Dr. Salhia, has founded a biotechnology company called CpG Diagnostics Inc., which aims to develop OvaPrintTM as a diagnostic tool for ovarian cancer. The team plans to conduct a follow-up study involving hundreds of patients to validate the test’s efficacy. If successful, a commercially available version of the test could be released within the next two years. The researchers are also exploring the possibility of adapting OvaPrintTM to detect other subtypes of ovarian cancer, with the ultimate goal of optimizing the test for broad population screening.
In conclusion, the development of a blood test that can accurately detect ovarian cancer at its early stages has the potential to significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival rates for patients.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
