Early detection of ovarian cancer using tumour DNA methylation patterns from blood to develop a PCR-based test
Overview
Dr Warton’s team is developing a PCR-based blood test for early detection that identifies ovarian cancer using circulating tumour DNA — tiny particles shed from tumours into the blood stream.
Lead researcher: Dr Kristina Warton
Grant received: $380,530 for three years
OCRF research pillar: Early Detection
Primary institution: UNSW Sydney
Latest update
We are now collecting samples from those at high-risk of ovarian cancer, or those having prophylactic surgery because this is how we can obtain samples of the earliest stages of ovarian cancer: stage 1a and 1b. We then aim to conduct preclinical studies to confirm whether our test identifies stage 1a and 1b when the tumour is still contained and treatable.”
Dr Kristina Warton, December 2025
Project details
Dr Kristina Warton’s team are investigating a new approach to ovarian cancer early detection. Dividing more quickly than other cells, ovarian cancer tumour cells ‘shed’ DNA that spills into the bloodstream. This DNA is different to healthy DNA as it has distinct methylation patterns.
“Methylation is a little chemical mark on DNA that regulates whether a gene can be switched on or not. Cancer cells have different methylation patterns to healthy cells. We want to understand which methylation patterns in DNA indicate the presence of ovarian cancer.”
By comparing ovarian cancer blood samples and healthy control samples, the team identified over 70 methylation marks that were linked to ovarian cancer. Now they hope to refine them down to the best combination for their polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based blood test.
Aims:
With OCRF funding the team aims to:
- Confirm their PCR-based test gives accurate readings.
- Identify the most sensitive and accurate biomarkers from the 70+ DNA candidates, and which combination could underpin the blood test.
- Confirm the best lab workflow for conducting the tests, including determining how much plasma from blood samples is needed.
Approach:
Previously, Dr Warton’s team conducted a whole human genome screen to identify differences in DNA between ovarian cancer and healthy samples. They compared tumour DNA directly to white blood cells and the cell-free DNA (fragments that circulate outside of cells) to identify which DNA regions were indicative of cancer. Dr Warton likens this process to ‘panning for gold.' The team found approximately 70 potential differences or biomarkers of early-stage ovarian cancer.
The team then created approximately 30 PCR tests corresponding to the biomarkers, removing any that returned false readings.
Innovative use of ascites samples
Obtaining early-stage ovarian cancer samples is challenging because they are scarce, with many people diagnosed in advanced stages. However, a nurse from the Royal Hospital for Women, NSW, noticed that ascites — a build-up of fluid in abdominal lining that puts pressure on organs — wasn’t highly used in research and approached Dr Warton. Ascites samples are well-suited to Dr Warton’s research as they have a lot of cell-free DNA that holds the methylation patterns.
Ambition and outcomes:
With OCRF funding the team:
- Confirmed the best way to extract the DNA so that it could be tested.
- Narrowed down potential biomarkers to focus on DNA regions specific to ovarian cancer.
Dr Warton’s colleague, Dr Nicole Yuwono, also published data showing menstruation doesn’t impact DNA in the blood plasma that the test uses — importantly, indicating menstruation wouldn’t impact the test’s accuracy.
Funding from CAMILLA AND MARC has since propelled the research
The project subsequently received funding from the CAMILLA AND MARC campaign: Ovaries. Talk About Them. With this support, the team are aiming to progress a three-biomarker DNA methylation signature into diagnostic clinical trials in 2026.
Significantly, the team have demonstrated that their test is likely to detect all epithelial ovarian cancer subtypes.
Current status:
This ovarian cancer research project is at the preclinical stage where extensive studies are conducted in the lab to verify the effectiveness of their approach and its safety *
*Want to learn more about the medical research pipeline? Read more here.
For every project like this, many more can’t get underway due to a lack of funding. Support research like this to help them move forward.
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