Tumor markers for early detection of ovarian cancer

Abstract

The overall mortality rate for ovarian cancer is 75%, but when diagnosed at stage I, 90% of patients can be cured. Strategies for early detection require high sensitivity (>75%) and extremely high specificity (99.6%) to attain a positive predictive value of at least 10%. When functioning alone, conventional markers fall short of this required sensitivity or specificity. Greater specificity can be achieved by combining multiple markers. Meanwhile, technological developments offer the potential identification of new candidate markers. Panels of new markers have been discovered with improved sensitivity and specificity for early-stage detection, but these require prospective validation. Through empirical development of: biotechnology (including monoclonal antibodies, gene expression, cloning of gene families and proteomics); statistical methods; and guidelines from specialized institutions, more candidate markers might be discovered and validated with systematic, efficient and cost-effective screenings.

Keywords::

• diagnostic
• early detection
• early stage
• ovarian cancer
• tumor marker

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This manuscript is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30973175, Juan Ren), Scientific Research Foundation for Returning Scholars of Education Ministry of China (0601-18920006, Juan Ren), Scientific and Technological Research Foundation of Shaanxi Province (2007K09-09, Juan Ren) and the Clinical Research Fundation of First Hospital of Xi’an Jiao Tong University of China (Juan Ren).

Shi-Wen Jiang is the distinguished cancer scholar supported by the Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC). He serves as a Mayo Collaborative Researcher and receives traveling support from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, MN, USA. This work is partially funded by grants from the National Institute of Health (NIH R01 HD 41577, Shi-Wen Jiang), NIH/NCI MD Anderson Uterine Cancer SPORE (Jinping Li, Shi-Wen Jiang), Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF; Sean C Dowdy, Shi-Wen Jiang), the Fraternal Order of Eagles Cancer Research Award (Sean C Dowdy, Shi-Wen Jiang), NIH K12 training program (Sean C Dowdy, Shi-Wen Jiang) and a research supplement from the Mercer University School of Medicine (Shi-Wen Jiang).

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.