New blood test detects early signs of ovarian cancer before it develops

Researchers have announced a scientific breakthrough that could pave the way for earlier detection of ovarian cancer, after identifying a molecular marker in the blood that can reveal changes preceding the onset of the disease. The discovery aims to detect warning signs before cells become cancerous and the disease spreads.

A study published Tuesday in the journal Nature Medicine explained that traditional early detection tests for ovarian cancer have focused for decades on finding small tumors in their initial stages. In contrast, the new research takes a different approach by identifying molecular changes that may appear before a tumor develops.

Rajan Gojna, lead author of the study and a researcher at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute in Newport Beach, California, said the team sought to answer a different question: whether it is possible to detect molecular warning signals before cancer develops, rather than waiting for a tumor to appear and be detected.

Molecular marker reveals early cellular changes

Some cases of ovarian cancer begin with extremely subtle changes in the cells lining the fallopian tubes, a condition known as serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma. These are precancerous changes that may precede the development of the disease.

The study found elevated levels of a DNA molecule known as "تو-ستروما" (To-Stroma) in the blood of women with these changes, suggesting it could serve as a biomarker for detecting precancerous lesions through blood analysis.

By measuring levels of this molecule, researchers were able to identify fallopian tube epithelial lesions in 92.3% of women with the condition, and the test correctly identified 98.2% of women without the lesions.

Promising results for women at higher risk

The study's findings also extend to women with a high genetic risk of ovarian cancer. Researchers noted that about 72% of positive test results in this group would be accurate, while the accuracy of negative results approaches 100%, highlighting the test's strong potential to rule out the presence of targeted changes with high precision.

Dr. Isha Madan, a co-author of the study and researcher at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute, said this discovery could change approaches to ovarian cancer prevention for women at increased risk.

These results are significant for women facing difficult medical decisions due to high genetic risk factors, as some consider preventive surgery to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries to reduce their chances of developing the disease.

Madan explained that decisions about such surgeries currently rely heavily on genetic risk factors, without definitive information about the presence or absence of precancerous lesions.

She added that the new test could eventually provide the biological information currently lacking in preventive decisions, helping to offer a more accurate assessment for women at risk and supporting decisions about preventive interventions.