New blood test set to detect ‘forgotten’ women’s cancer

Garvan researchers, in collaboration with The Gynaecologic Cancer Centre at Royal Hospital for Women, are developing the first-ever early detection test for ovarian cancer based on epigenetic changes that are associated with ovarian cancer risk.

This is promising news for the 1200 Australian women diagnosed each year with ovarian cancer, given that no valid test or screening protocol currently exists and that 90% of women diagnosed die from the disease.

The Ovarian Cancer Research Group at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, led by Dr Goli Samimi, has identified specific biological changes (called methylation) that occur in the DNA of women who have developed ovarian cancer. These changes can be detected in the blood of patients with ovarian cancer, giving rise to the prospect of a blood-based screening test for women at high risk (especially those with a family history of cancer).

The technique being used by the researchers is unique and a ‘world first’ in that it explores whole gene sequencing using methylated DNA derived from the blood.

“Looking at DNA changes in samples derived from the blood rather than from tumours helps us link our findings more directly to an early-detection program based on blood tests,” said Dr Samimi.

“Ovarian cancer is mostly diagnosed at a late stage, when it has already spread beyond the ovaries and into peritoneal space by the time patients are diagnosed. At this stage, complete removal of the tumour is very challenging, which is why only 20% of women survive five years after diagnosis.

“It is clear that developing a test to facilitate early detection is our best chance of reducing the toll of this terrible disease.”

Dr Samimi will provide an update on her research today at the 2013 Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day Leaders’ Lunch at Parliament House in Sydney.

The Garvan has also announced a new fundraising drive to help underpin the progress of Dr Samimi’s work.

Ovarian cancer survivor and advocate Margaret Rose, who chairs the Garvan Institute Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, said that ovarian cancer was sometimes “forgotten” within the broader context of other women’s diseases and cancers.

“We really need to focus our energies and resources on ovarian cancer because there are no clear defining symptoms, there is no screening test, hundreds of Australian women are affected every year and the survival rates are so horrendous,” she said.