OCRF-funded research project
DEVELOPING AN EARLY DETECTION TEST USING LIQUID BIOPSY ANALYSIS ON CIRCULAR RNAS
Institution: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
Lead Researcher: Associate Professor Jason Lee
Funding Awarded: $852,343
Year/s: 2023-2024
Research Pillar: Early Detection
Project Description:
If ovarian cancer is detected in the earliest stages, a 90% chance of survival is possible. Unfortunately, there is no early detection test, and patients diagnosed in later stages face just a 29% chance of surviving five years beyond their diagnosis. For this reason, Associate Professor Jason Lee and his team are determined to increase the survival rate of ovarian cancer patients by focusing on circular RNAs as the foundations of an early detection test.
Circular RNAs are molecules that are stable in blood, but when analysed, they are evidently altered in cancer patients. At QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, the team will identify circular RNAs associated with ovarian cancer using samples from women with and without cancer. Once they have identified relevant circRNAs, the team will reduce or increase levels of them, and examine the tumours using NanoString Technologies, to determine how the circRNAs impact the development of ovarian cancer.
Expected/Achieved Outcomes:
Knowledge Building: Funded by the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, their research intends to not only provide a method of early diagnosis, but also to provide an early indication if a patient in remission is likely to experience cancer recurrence. If successful, Associate Professor Jason Lee’s long-term vision is to develop a diagnostic test that will have a 24-hour turnaround period and use non-invasive, liquid biopsy samples to make for a convenient and rapid detection test able to be used by the general population.
Project Status:
Having been awarded funding in 2023, this project will commence from July 2023.
Get the latest news, stories & updates.
