OCRF-FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECT
THE ACTIVE RATIO TEST
Institution: Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Lead Researcher: Dr Andrew Stephens
Funding Awarded: $4,819,020
Year/s: 2009-2021
Research Pillar: Early Detection
Project Description:
Dr Andrew Stephens is investigating an early detection test for one of the most serious forms of ovarian cancer. Based on a protein produced very early on in the cancer’s progression, the ‘Active Ratio Test’ (ARt) is being developed as a cervical swab and potentially also a blood-based test. The ARt measures the ratio between different forms of the same protein to indicate whether there is a cancer-specific modification occurring or not.
Of his motivation to dedicate decades of work to ovarian cancer early detection, Dr Stephens said of patients he works with, “They’re the most fantastic people you’ll ever meet. Faced with their own very grim prognosis they are still working hard, campaigning to get their message out there. It’s very confronting, but also very motivating. One of the most powerful drivers for me and for everyone in my laboratory is that we really want to help them, to make a difference.”
Dr Stephens
Expected/Achieved Outcomes:
Knowledge Building: This project hopes to eventually be able to provide an early detection screening test available to the general population.
Project Status:
This research has progressed to the stage where it has been tested in a clinical trial of approximately 500 women recruited in Australia, as well as from Rambam Healthcare Campus and Hadassah Hospital in Israel. The key piece of information needed from this study is to determine how early the tumours can be detected.
Further Details and Publications:
Medical Journal
Dr Stephens team’s work has been published in medical journals.
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