Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Study Reveals Novel Immune-Based Biomarker Helps Detect Ovarian Cancer Two to Four Years Before Conventional Diagnosis
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PHILADELPHIA, June 14, 2024 ~ A team of researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has made a groundbreaking discovery that could potentially save the lives of millions of women. The team, led by core faculty member Bo Li, PhD, has identified a novel immune-based biomarker that could lead to early detection of high-grade ovarian cancer (HGOC).

According to the press release from CHOP, HGOC is the fifth-leading cause of cancer-related death among women. The disease is often diagnosed in its advanced stages when it has already spread, making treatment challenging. However, with the discovery of this new biomarker, there is hope for earlier detection and intervention.

Dr. Li emphasized the importance of early detection in saving lives. "Early detection of ovarian cancer could mean the difference between life and death for millions of women," he said.

The study, published in Cell Reports Medicine, analyzed T-cell receptors (TCRs) in nearly 500 blood samples from pre-diagnostic patients with ovarian cancer and healthy controls from the Nurses' Health Study. TCRs are proteins found on immune cells that recognize and bind to foreign substances.

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The researchers found that in the early stages of HGOC, approximately two to four years before most cases are currently diagnosed, there is a significant increase in TCR activity. This suggests that tracking changes in TCRs could be an effective way to detect the disease before it progresses.

However, further research is needed to develop a diagnostic test sensitive enough to detect this novel immune biomarker. The team envisions this test as a complement to current approved screening protocols for HGOC.

The study was supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute and sample collection was partially supported by UT Southwestern Medical Center's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

CHOP's comprehensive Research Institute is dedicated to improving children's lives and helping them thrive into adulthood through transformative solutions like this new biomarker discovery. By tackling pressing healthcare challenges, CHOP is also making strides in improving wellness beyond pediatrics across the entire lifespan.

The team's findings have the potential to not only improve early detection of HGOC but also advance pediatric cancer research. The study, titled "Quantifiable TCR repertoire changes in pre-diagnostic blood specimens among patients with high-grade ovarian cancer," was published online on June 14, 2024, and can be found in Cell Reports Medicine.
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