New ovarian cancer test developed

An improved test for ovarian cancer has been developed by Melbourne researchers.

The team from Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research and Monash University's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has developed a test that, in conjunction with the standard test, can detect 90-95 per cent of cancers.

The existing CA125 blood test for ovarian cancer is effective in identifying around 80 per cent of tumours, according to Assoc Prof David Robertson, who led the project.

Robertson's team found that by testing for another hormone, Inhibin, combined with the CA125 test, up to 95 per cent of ovarian cancers were detected.

Robertson told Australian Biotechnology News that a kit for the Inhibin test had been developed by a US company, Diagnostic Systems Laboratories (DSL) which, combined with the CA125 blood test, should move into clinical feasibility studies within a year.

"We are now very close to bringing an improved ovarian cancer diagnostic test to the public," Robertson said.

This research has been underway for around 10 years and Robertson said that while the new test was valuable for detecting cancer more accurately, the eventual aim of the project was earlier detection of ovarian cancer.

One of the characteristics of ovarian cancer -- known as the 'silent cancer' -- is that it's often only once the disease has spread to the abdomen that patients notice symptoms and get tested, Robertson said.

Once the cancer has spread, the five-year survival rate is 30 per cent or less, he said. However, if the cancer is detected in the ovary, before it spreads, it is relatively easy to remove and there is a far greater chance of survival.

The other benefit of the new test, according to Robertson, is for monitoring cancer recurrence in patients who have undergone treatment. With the improved rate of detection in the new test, patients who have had treatment can be more accurately monitored to see if the cancer has returned.

Ovarian cancer kills one woman every 10 hours in Australia, with 70 per cent of cases occurring in post-menopausal women.

Funded principally by the NHMRC, the project is also supported by the Ovarian Cancer Research Organisation, National Australia Bank and Witchery clothing stores.