One step closer to screening test for ovarian cancer

19 May 2017

Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer and the sixth most common cause of cancer death affecting women in Australia.

Often undiagnosed until it has spread to other organs and tissue, early detection is the key to survival, and a team of researchers is launching a new study they are confident will help develop a blood-screening test for early-stage ovarian cancer.

Led by Dr Elin Gray and Professor Mel Ziman at Edith Cowan University, in collaboration with St John of God Subiaco Hospital Head of Gynaecological Cancer Research Dr Paul Cohen and Medical Oncologist Dr Tarek Meniawy, this study will build on earlier research which shows that early stage ovarian cancer can be detected by a non-invasive pre-natal blood test (NIPT).

Normally used to screen for Down Syndrome in early pregnancy, this test may also detect circulating tumour DNA in the blood stream. Dr Cohen said this latest study will test the blood of newly-diagnosed ovarian cancer patients at several stages, including diagnosis, pre-surgery, post- surgery, pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy to determine whether it contains the DNA from malignant ovarian tumours.

“Our aim is to recruit 30 Perth women by the end of the year for this study,” Dr Cohen said.

“Once the pilot is complete in Perth, there will be a need for more funding for national clinical trials, but the St John of God Foundation has got us off to a good start. Without this support, we wouldn’t be where we are now with this important research.”

Dr Cohen said ovarian cancer has always been hard to detect, as its symptoms are non-specific and may mimic other conditions.

“It’s often diagnosed after the disease has spread”, he said.

“If it hasn’t spread – which is the case in about 20 to 30 per cent of diagnoses – the chances of a cure are high, although there may be some recurrence. In the remaining 70 to 80 per cent of cases, the disease is already outside the ovary and only half of these women are likely to survive.

“The earlier ovarian cancer can be detected, the earlier treatment can begin and the greatest chance we have of stopping the cancer spreading to surrounding tissues and organs.”

This research is being undertaken in collaboration with researchers from Edith Cowan University. Dr Cohen said it was possible that blood tests for circulating DNA could also be used to detect recurrence of ovarian cancer, which may prolong survival.