Ovarian Cancer: Researchers Develop New Tool That May Help Women Better Understand the Disease

Researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) led a worldwide team to develop a new test. Their goal was to diagnose varied types of ovarian cancer. The tool could one day guide women with the disease. It could also help improve treatment options for women with the illness. 

The new study outlines the development and validation of the test. Published in Clinical Cancer Research, the team is composed of five departments. They were from the faculty of medicine at UBC and the University of New South Wales. The Huntsman Cancer Institute, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and Mayo Clinic were also a part of the team.

(Photo: unsplash/National Cancer Institute)
Researchers found a new approach to classifying ovarian cancer subtype.

One of the largest ovarian cancer studies

To date, the new study is one of the largest ovarian cancer studies. They compiled data from more than 50 research institutes. The team involved more than 3,800 patients across the globe. 

Dr. Michael Anglesio, the senior author of the study, shared his thoughts. He said that with the new test, they would be able to give researchers, clinicians, and patients more insights. He said that a more targeted treatment could pave its way down the road. 

Dr. Anglesio is an assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at UBC. A molecular biologist, he is also a Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute's (VCHRI) investigator. Apart from that, he is also an OVCARE, B.C.'s multidisciplinary gynecological cancer research team scientist. 

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PrOTYPE helps study and sort subtypes

The new test is known as Predictor of high-grade serous Ovarian carcinoma molecular subTYPE (PrOTYPE). The team specially designed the tool to study and classify high-grade serous ovarian cancer. It is the most lethal and common form of ovarian cancer. The principal analysts validated tests at the BC Cancer and Vancouver General Hospital laboratories. 

Researchers and clinicians could rely on the PrOTYPE to classify each patient's tumor further because it will allow them to sort each into the four known molecular subtypes. The team believes that each subtype would have varied responses to treatment options. 

Gene expression was used before

Before the PrOTYPE, scientists use gene expression analysis to sort the subtypes of high-grade serous ovarian cancer. They relied on collecting large patient cohorts. They also studied all the genes in the genome at once. But it is not practical in clinical settings, Dr. Anglesio said. 

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Dr. Anglesio also said that doctors would not see a few hundred patients walk in through their clinic doors. 

PrOTYPE uses small tissue sample

They designed the PrOTYPE for use in clinic settings. It needs only a small amount of data. About 55 informative genes could quickly determine the tumor subtype. They believe that it could produce more than 95 percent accuracy. 

The team also developed a web tool that corresponds with the test. It allows clinicians to print out a report to add to the patient's records. Dr. Anglesio said that now they have a robust way of knowing which of the four subtypes a patient fits. 

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The team believes that the test could one day guide patient care. Clinical trials are now using the test to see if specific subtypes are more sensitive to certain treatments. 

Dr. Aline Talhouk, the study's lead author, said that the test opened up new chances and avenues of treatment to explore. She also said that it is crucial to re-evaluate the treatment options. Adding to that, she said that testing new targets is vital for the cure of the illness.