Potential new test for OVCA

[SimplyStar]

think the following test sounds very promising


Context: Total inhibin is the sum of precursors, subunits, and mature molecules of inhibin, which the normal ovary nearly stops to produce after menopause, whereas ovarian tumors still release.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the serum concentration of total inhibin has the sensitivity/specificity characteristics to become a diagnostic test for epithelial ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women.

Design: This was a controlled, cross-sectional study.

Setting: The study was conducted at the University of Siena.

Patients: Blood specimens were collected from postmenopausal women with: 1) epithelial ovarian cancer, stage II-III (n = 89); 2) benign ovarian tumors (n = 25); 3) breast (n = 10), colon (n = 10), and stomach (n = 10) cancers; and 4) controls (n = 95). In the group of women with epithelial ovarian cancer, blood specimens were also collected after surgical removal of the tumor. In four cases of women with stage IIC mucinous tumor, blood specimens were collected during the follow-up time.

Intervention: Total inhibin was measured by a new double-antibody ELISA.

Results: Women with epithelial ovarian cancers showed serum total inhibin levels significantly higher than those with benign tumor or with nonovarian tumors or controls (P < 0.001). Patients with serous (n = 40) or mucinous tumors (n = 17) showed the highest total inhibin levels (P < 0.001). At 95% specificity, the total inhibin assay detected 37 of 40 (93%) serous tumors and 16 of 17 (94%) mucinous tumors. When total inhibin was combined with CA-125, all cases of serous and mucinous tumors were detected, and the overall sensitivity for epithelial ovarian cancers was 99% at 95% specificity. A significant decrease of total inhibin levels was shown in women with serous and mucinous carcinoma as result of surgery (P < 0.001). In the four women who were followed up, recurrence was associated to an increase of total inhibin levels.

Conclusions: The present data show that total inhibin is a sensitive and specific marker of epithelial ovarian cancers in postmenopausal women. Total inhibin may therefore be combined with CA-125 for noninvasive diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer and may also be a useful serum marker to monitor disease-free intervals.

[chookey]

Thats  great news do you know how long it will take to get it out in to the reall world for others to start to use it as cancer marker hope  not to long of a wait?

[SimplyStar]

With world wide pressure for a better test, I believe it will attract attention and hopefully be announced sooner than later.  Right at the present time OVCA is in the lime light, and that is good.  We will be taking this knowledge with us to Mayo to make them aware of it. All of us on here can do the same,  calling attention to a possible breakthrough on a test is of prime importance.  

[SimplyStar]

Latest News

> July 2007 - Goodwin Biotechnology and Menarini Announce the Successful Completion of their Strategic US-Italian Cooperation to Fight Ovarian Cancer

called  Mimosa Project    google it

[Kimchi]

I googled it and clicked on to two pages that gave me a very clear simple explanation and procedures of OC.  It confirmed many things, cleared up some unanswered questions and made me feel reassured that I am being given the correct regiment.  But I am certainly going to try and disprove some of the numbers that were mentioned!!!! Thanks for bringing it my attention and thank you for giving me hope. Wrap your arms around yourself and feel my hug!!! Kimchi