Study participant, Lisa Harrold has blood test.
(Photo credit: The University of Queensland )
Key points
- Blood samples will be collected from women across Queensland to evaluate the impact of shipment and storage on the stability of ovarian cancer biomarkers.
- The study is part of an effort to develop a population-based screening test for ovarian cancer.
- Postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 74 with intact ovaries, and no prior history of ovarian cancer are encouraged to enrol in the study.
The University of Queensland's EARLY study will collect blood samples to evaluate the impact of shipment and storage on the stability of ovarian cancer biomarkers.
Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo , Director of the UQ Centre for Extracellular Vesicle Nanomedicine, said the approach focuses on extracellular vesicles (EVs) - microscopic bubbles naturally released by cells that carry protein and genetic information - which can signal the presence of cancer.
"Our aim is to systematically evaluate the impact of blood collection protocols, storage temperatures, transport conditions and time-to-processing on EV biomarker stability," Professor Salomon Gallo said.
"This will allow us to establish a standardised specimen handling protocol for the test under real-world conditions.
"Ovarian cancer is one of the most serious cancers affecting Australian women - about 2 out of 3 are diagnosed when the disease is already advanced, when treatment is more complex and survival rates are poor.
"Rapid and accurate identification of asymptomatic ovarian cancer will dramatically improve survival rates."
UQ's commercialisation company UniQuest has exclusively licensed the technology to ASX-listed biotechnology company INOVIQ Ltd (ASX: IIQ) to develop and commercialise this EV-based ovarian cancer screening test.
It has been evaluated on more than 500 blood samples and demonstrated 100 per cent detection of early-stage (I and II) ovarian cancer.
"Another advantage of this test is the extremely low false positive rate of 0.4 per cent in recent studies which makes it a potential candidate as a screening tool," Professor Salomon Gallo said.
Professor Andreas Obermair , from the UQ Centre for Clinical Research said fewer than half of women are alive five years after diagnosis, but when ovarian cancer is found early, cure rates are very high.
"As a surgeon, I look after women with ovarian cancer every week and, too often, I meet them for the first time when the cancer is already advanced, something we urgently need to change," Professor Obermair said.
"And women in rural and regional Australia are more likely to be diagnosed later and face greater barriers to specialist care.
"This study relies on women volunteering to donate a small blood sample and some basic health information - it is quick, safe and free."
Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo, Director of Centre for Extracellular Vesicle Nanomedicine.
(Photo credit: The University of Queensland)
Postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 74 with intact ovaries, and no prior history of ovarian cancer will be eligible to enrol in the study .
Participants will be given a pathology request form and can have the blood test done at a convenient collection centre or at the UQ Centre for Clinical Research.
The Ovarian Cancer Foundation's Chief Executive Officer, Robin Penty said it is a significant milestone towards early detection and screening for ovarian cancer.
"This milestone also highlights the integral role of philanthropy in medical research, with more than $1.7 million donated by the OCRF to fund Professor Salomon Gallo's program.
"The study represents real progress and future hope for everyone affected by this insidious disease, so we are very excited to see the results."
Queensland and Northern NSW Lions Medical Research Foundation (LMRF) Chair Tom Braes OAM said he knows personally how important the development of a screening program for ovarian cancer is.
"My wife was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer and underwent 5 years of treatment, surgery and trials before she died," Mr Braes said.
"Too often a diagnosis comes late, so this is a real step forward in giving women a better chance.
"LMRF is proud to support research that translates from the laboratory to the clinic - research that has the potential to change lives."
Collaboration and acknowledgements
The 5-year project has received grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in partnership with the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation and the Lions Medical Research Foundation, and in collaboration with Mater Research and Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer Research.
