Scientists find new driver of ovarian cancer spread

Ovarian cancer is known to be the most lethal gynaecological cancer in the world, with about 70% of cases only discovered at advanced stages when the disease has spread beyond the ovaries. Scientists from the University of South Australia (UniSA) and The University of Adelaide have now identified a cell surface receptor known as F2R, which could serve as both a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target for treatment. Their findings have been published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

As noted by lead researcher Dr Hugo Albrecht, from UniSA’s Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation, early symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague and non-specific — easily mistaken for common gastrointestinal or urinary issues — so many women and even healthcare professionals may not immediately suspect cancer. Furthermore, a protein produced in ovarian cancer cells, known as CA-125, can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, so it is not a credible diagnostic tool.

“Current biomarkers lack sensitivity and accuracy, leaving clinicians with few tools for early detection or to reliably predict treatment outcomes,” Albrecht said.

The research team recently analysed large genomic datasets and using advanced imaging and tissue analysis confirmed elevated F2R levels in patient tumour samples. Albrecht explained that F2R is frequently overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissues, especially in women who are resistant to chemotherapy and where the cancer has spread.

“This discovery represents a significant step forward,” he said.

Women with high levels of F2R were found to have shorter lifespans, underscoring its value as a prognostic indicator. Furthermore, studies using ovarian cancer cells revealed that silencing F2R significantly reduced the ability of tumour cells to move, invade and form spheroids — three key processes involved in cancer metastasis. Finally, F2R drug suppression made the cancer cells more sensitive to carboplatin, a common chemotherapy drug.

“We believe that F2R could be a powerful candidate for both improving diagnosis and developing new personalised treatments that could target aggressive or drug-resistant cancers,” Albrecht said.

With the research based on preclinical studies, the team said that additional large-scale clinical validation is necessary to consolidate these findings. Co-author Dr Carmela Ricciardelli, from The University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute, said the findings could ultimately pave the way for more precise oncology treatment.

“By testing F2R, we could not only improve how we identify patients at risk of early recurrence or chemotherapy resistance but also design therapies that work more effectively alongside standard chemotherapy,” Ricciardelli said.

Albrecht concluded, “Our discovery of F2R’s role opens new avenues for diagnostic tests and personalised treatments that could make a real difference to survival rates.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Lars Neumann