A
Proteins produced by the immune system that recognises and binds to specific targets (called antigens), such as viruses, bacteria, or cancer cells, to help neutralise or eliminate them.
Antibodies are proteins made by the immune system to help the body find and fight harmful substances, such as viruses, bacteria, or cancer cells. Antibodies are like a lock-and-key – they are designed to recognise a specific target, called an antigen, on the surface of these harmful cells. Once an antibody attaches to a cancer cell, it acts as a signal to the immune system to attack and destroy the cell, or it may directly block the cancer cell’s growth.
References:
A type of treatment made of part antibody, part drug, designed to target cancer cells more precisely.
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) combine a monoclonal antibody (which acts like a guide) with a cancer-killing drug. The antibody helps the treatment find and attach to cancer cells, delivering the drug directly to them while sparing most healthy cells. This targeted approach can reduce side effects. Different types of drugs can be used in ADCs, depending on the individual’s cancer.
References:
Molecules that the immune system recognises as a threat.
Antigens are molecules recognised by the immune system, often foreign substances like bacteria, fungi, viruses, or toxins. They can also be molecules found within or produced by cancer cells. In ovarian cancer research, scientists study the antigens on ovarian cancer cells to identify which antibodies or treatments might best target and eliminate them.
References:
Fluid that collects in the abdomen, sometimes caused by ovarian cancer.
Ascites is fluid that builds up in the abdomen and is sometimes caused by ovarian cancer. This can lead to symptoms like bloating, discomfort, and shortness of breath. Researchers can also use donated ascites samples to study cancer cells and the tumour environment, helping to advance ovarian cancer research.
References:
B
A targeted therapy drug that works by blocking the growth of new blood vessels that tumours need to grow and spread.
A way of collecting and storing biological samples for use in current and future research.
Biobanking is the process of collecting and safely storing biological samples, like blood, tissue, cells, fluid, or DNA, along with relevant health and scientific information (anonymised), so they can be used in medical research. In ovarian cancer, biobanked samples help researchers understand the disease, develop better and more personalised treatments, and work towards diagnostic tests. Samples and information can contribute to research even years after collection.
References:
- NSW Health Statewide Biobank, NSW Government, https://biobank.health.nsw.gov.au/
- Trillsch F, Reichenbach J, Czogalla B, Kraus F, Burges A, Mahner S, Kessler M. Strategy for Biobanking of Ovarian Cancer Organoids: Addressing the Interpatient Heterogeneity across Histological Subtypes and Disease Stages. J Vis Exp. 2024 Feb 23;(204). doi: 10.3791/66467.
A type of scientific research that uses computers to study biological data.
Bioinformaticians use computer tools to collect, organise, and analyse large sets of biological data, such as DNA sequences, protein structures, or cancer genomics, to help understand health and disease. Bioinformatics can be used to find genetic mutations, track treatment resistance, discover new biomarkers, and help design targeted therapies. It also supports early detection research by analysing patterns in blood-based markers (such as circulating tumour DNA).
References:
Something found in the body that can help detect, monitor, or predict disease.
A biomarker is something in the body that can tell us about a disease. It could be found in blood, urine, or tissue, and might be a protein, gene change, or other biological signal. A good biomarker is one that shows up when a disease is present (this is called sensitivity) but is not found when the person is healthy (specificity).
Biomarkers are important in ovarian cancer because they can help with early detection, when the disease is easier to treat. Scientists are working on tests that use biomarkers found in blood or other bodily fluids to detect ovarian cancer. Biomarkers can also help monitor how well a treatment is working, or guide doctors in choosing treatments that are more likely to be effective for a particular person.
References:
- Future theranostic strategies: emerging ovarian cancer biomarkers to bridge the gap between diagnosis and treatment. Weranga Rajapaksha et al. 2024, Front. Drug Deliv. Vol. 4, https://doi.org/10.3389/fddev.2024.1339936.
- Robert C. Bast, Zhen Lu, Chae Young Han, Karen H. Lu, Karen S. Anderson, Charles W. Drescher, Steven J. Skates; Biomarkers and Strategies for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1 December 2020; 29 (12): 2504–2512. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-20-1057
C
A blood-based marker that is mainly used to monitor a patient’s response to treatment and to check if the cancer has come back.
Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is a protein that can be found in the blood. Some ovarian cancer cells release CA-125, so doctors often use a CA-125 blood test to help monitor the disease once it’s already been diagnosed. However, it’s important to understand that CA-125 is not specific to ovarian cancer.
Many non-cancerous conditions and processes, like endometriosis, fibroids, menstruation, liver disease, or even general inflammation, can also raise CA-125 levels. At the same time, some people with early-stage ovarian cancer may have normal CA-125 levels. For these reasons, CA-125 is not reliable as a screening test to detect ovarian cancer in people without symptoms.
Where CA-125 is most useful is in monitoring ovarian cancer in someone already diagnosed. Rising or falling levels over time can help doctors see whether a treatment is working, or if the cancer may have come back. It’s one piece of a bigger puzzle and is often used alongside scans and other tests to guide decisions.
Researchers are continuing to look for more accurate and specific biomarkers that can detect ovarian cancer earlier and more reliably than CA-125.
References:
Ovarian cancer population screening and mortality after long-term follow-up in the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS): a randomised controlled trial
Menon, Usha et al. The Lancet, Volume 397, Issue 10290, 2182 – 2193.
A cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill fast-growing cells, including cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that eliminates fast-growing cells in the body. Because cancer cells grow and divide quickly, chemotherapy can be effective at shrinking tumours or stopping their spread. It can also affect healthy fast-growing cells, like those in the hair, mouth, and gut, which is why it often causes side effects like hair loss or fatigue.
In ovarian cancer, chemotherapy may be used after surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible. It may also be used before surgery to shrink the cancer, or if the cancer comes back. Chemotherapy is usually given through a drip into a vein, in cycles over several weeks. While it can be tough on the body, it remains one of the main treatments for ovarian cancer.
References:
Yang L, Xie HJ, Li YY, Wang X, Liu XX, Mai J. Molecular mechanisms of platinum‑based chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer (Review). Oncol Rep. 2022 Apr;47(4):82. doi: 10.3892/or.2022.8293. Epub 2022 Feb 25.
Filis P, Mauri D, Markozannes G, Tolia M, Filis N, Tsilidis K. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for the management of primary advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. ESMO Open. 2022 Oct;7(5):100586. doi: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100586. Epub 2022 Sep 16.
Richardson DL, Eskander RN, O'Malley DM. Advances in Ovarian Cancer Care and Unmet Treatment Needs for Patients With Platinum Resistance: A Narrative Review. JAMA Oncol. 2023 Jun 1;9(6):851-859. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.0197.
A lab process to study how proteins bind to DNA.
ChIP sequencing is a lab process that allows researchers to examine the way some proteins bind to DNA. Researchers can use results from ChIP sequencing experiments to develop new therapies.
References:
Refers to the mixture of DNA and proteins that are bundled up to form chromosomes.
Chromatin is the mix of DNA and proteins that make up chromosomes in human cells. The function of chromatin is to package and organise DNA into tight bundles to prevent it from being tangled and make sure the right genes can be accessed. In ovarian cancer research, studying how chromatin is organised can help scientists understand how gene expression changes in cancer cells, and may reveal new treatment targets.
References:
RNA molecules that help regulate cell and gene activity.
Circular RNAs are a type of RNA molecule that helps regulate how cells and genes function. In ovarian cancer research, scientists are investigating whether circular RNAs can be used as blood-based biomarkers for early detection or to monitor disease progression.
References:
D
Cells that activate the immune system to function against disease.
Dendritic cells (DCs) are immune cells that help “teach” the immune system to recognise and attack threats like cancer. There are several types of dendritic cells. A specialised and rare type of DCs, called cDC1 cells, are particularly good at activating T cells (other immune cells) to fight tumours. In ovarian cancer research, scientists are exploring how dendritic cells influence the immune environment around tumours, and how they can be used in new treatments. One approach is to create dendritic cell vaccines, which aim to boost the body’s immune response against ovarian cancer.
References:
Identification of an illness or condition.
Diagnostics is the process of identifying a disease or condition, taking into consideration any required tests and symptoms. In ovarian cancer, this involves assessing symptoms and using tests such as transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) imaging and CA-125 blood tests. However, a definitive diagnosis can only be confirmed through surgical biopsy.
References:
A method used in research to test how well different drugs work against cancer cells in a dish.
Drug screening is a research method used to test how well different drugs work against cancer cells. In ovarian cancer research, this typically involves growing cancer cells in the lab, either in flat single-cell layers (2D cultures) or more advanced 3D models like organoids, then exposing them to a range of different therapies. Scientists then use different methodologies to determine how the cells respond, helping to identify treatments that can kill or slow the growth of the cancer.
This approach can reveal which treatments might be effective for a particular patient, even if those drugs are not traditionally used for ovarian cancer. Drug screening also helps identify existing medicines used for other diseases that could be repurposed to treat ovarian cancer more effectively.
In the future, drug screening may be used alongside genomic data and mathematical models to guide personalised medicine - where treatments are tailored based on how an individual’s cancer behaves in the lab.
References:
Chen LY, Chou YT, Liew PL, Chu LH, Wen KC, Lin SF, Weng YC, Wang HC, Su PH, Lai HC. In vitro drug testing using patient-derived ovarian cancer organoids. J Ovarian Res. 2024 Oct 2;17(1):194. doi: 10.1186/s13048-024-01520-2.
Karimnia N, Wilson AL, Doran BR, Do J, Matthews A, Ho GY, Plebanski M, Jobling TW, Stephens AN, Bilandzic M. A Novel 3D High-Throughput Phenotypic Drug Screening Pipeline to Identify Drugs with Repurposing Potential for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer. Adv Healthc Mater. 2025 Apr;14(11):e2404117. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202404117.
Pishas KI, Cowley KJ, Llaurado-Fernandez M, Kim H, Luu J, Vary R, Bowden NA, Campbell IG, Carey MS, Simpson KJ, Cheasley D. High-throughput drug screening identifies novel therapeutics for Low Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma. Sci Data. 2024 Sep 19;11(1):1024. doi: 10.1038/s41597-024-03869-x.
E
A test designed to find cancer at an early stage, before symptoms appear.
Detecting symptomatic patients as early as possible to give best chance of survival after treatment. In ovarian cancer, detecting symptomatic patients as early as possible improves survival. However, researchers are finding that truly improving survival rates may require detecting the cancer before symptoms develop. See Screening.
References:
The study of factors that affect how genes work, without changing the DNA sequence itself.
‘Epi’ comes from the Greek meaning ‘on’ or ‘above.’ Epigenetics looks at how factors outside the gene, such as chemical changes to DNA or environmental influences, can turn genes on or off, affecting how cells behave. In ovarian cancer research, scientists are studying epigenetic changes to understand how cancer develops, why some cancers become resistant to treatment, and to find new ways to detect or treat the disease.
References:
A type of extracellular vesicle (see below).
References:
Tiny particles released by cells that carry information and may help detect or monitor cancer.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny, bubble-like particles released by cells into the body’s fluids, such as blood, urine, or saliva. These particles carry important biological information, including proteins, RNA, and other molecules that reflect the cell they came from. Because cancer cells release EVs too, researchers are studying them as a non-invasive way to detect, monitor, and better understand cancer.
One common type of EV is the exosome, which is small and often studied in cancer research. In ovarian cancer, researchers are using exosomes to try and detect the cancer earlier, track how well treatment is working, or find out if the cancer is coming back - all through a simple blood sample.
EVs are a promising area of research because they can be collected without surgery, making them a potential tool for regular monitoring. Scientists are still learning exactly how to use them in the clinic, but they could one day support the development of personalised and less invasive tests for ovarian cancer.
References:
Croft PK, Sharma S, Godbole N, Rice GE, Salomon C. Ovarian-Cancer-Associated Extracellular Vesicles: Microenvironmental Regulation and Potential Clinical Applications. Cells. 2021 Sep 1;10(9):2272. doi: 10.3390/cells10092272.
F
The United States government agency responsible for approving new medicines and treatments.
The process of adding a specific type of sugar (fucose) to proteins or fats on the surface of cells.
This modification affects how cells interact with their environment and plays an important role in biological functions such as cell signalling and immune responses. In ovarian cancer research, changes in fucosylation patterns are being explored as potential biomarkers for early detection and to better understand tumour behaviour.
References:
G
The study of DNA and RNA to understand how genes influence health and disease.
Genomics uses sequencing technologies to analyse DNA and RNA, helping identify molecular changes in individuals or in cancer cells. In ovarian cancer research, genomics is used to understand what drives different subtypes of ovarian cancer, to identify genetic mutations linked to risk, and to discover new treatment targets. It also helps predict how a patient’s cancer may respond to specific therapies, supporting more personalised treatment approaches.
References:
A genetic change inherited from a parent, that is present in all the cells of a person’s body.
A germline mutation is a change in the DNA that is passed from a parent to their child. These mutations are present from birth and can be found in every cell of the body. Because they are inherited, germline mutations can increase the risk of developing certain diseases, including cancer.
In ovarian cancer, germline mutations in genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 are especially important. These genes normally help repair damaged DNA, but when they are not working properly, cells are more likely to grow uncontrollably and form cancer. People with BRCA mutations have a higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
Germline mutations can be detected through genetic testing, which can help individuals understand their cancer risk and inform decisions about prevention, screening, and treatment. If a germline mutation is found, other family members may also consider testing to understand their own risk and take action if needed.
References:
The study of how sugars (carbohydrates) attach to and modify proteins and other molecules.
Glycomics explores how these sugar modifications affect the way cells function and communicate. In ovarian cancer research, changes in glycosylation patterns (the way sugars are attached) are being studied as potential biomarkers for early detection and as clues to how cancer cells grow and spread.
References:
H
A fault in a cell’s ability to repair damaged DNA, which can affect treatment options.
Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) is a term used when cells have trouble repairing certain types of damage to their DNA. Normally, cells fix DNA damage using a process called homologous recombination repair. This process relies on genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2, which help keep DNA stable and prevent cancer from developing.
In some ovarian cancers, this repair system doesn’t work properly: either because of faults in BRCA genes, or due to other changes in the tumour. When this happens, the cancer is described as HRD-positive.
Knowing whether a tumour has HRD can help doctors decide on the best treatment. For example, cancers with HRD are more likely to respond to PARP inhibitors: a type of drug that further blocks DNA repair, making it difficult for the cancer cells to survive. A HRD test can be done on a tumour sample to check if this DNA repair pathway is faulty.
References:
Konstantinopoulos PA, Ceccaldi R, Shapiro GI, D'Andrea AD. Homologous Recombination Deficiency: Exploiting the Fundamental Vulnerability of Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Discov. 2015 Nov;5(11):1137-54. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-15-0714.
Vergote I, González-Martín A, Ray-Coquard I, Harter P, Colombo N, Pujol P, Lorusso D, Mirza MR, Brasiuniene B, Madry R, Brenton JD, Ausems MGEM, Büttner R, Lambrechts D; European experts’ consensus group. European experts consensus: BRCA/homologous recombination deficiency testing in first-line ovarian cancer. Ann Oncol. 2022 Mar;33(3):276-287. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.11.013.
I
The study of the immune system.
The immune system protects the body from viruses, bacteria, and other infectious diseases. The immune system also plays a role in preventing the development of cancers. However, ovarian cancer is often very good at avoiding or hiding from the immune system. Researchers are working to understand why this happens and how to help the immune system better recognise and attack ovarian cancer cells.
References:
A treatment that boosts or trains the immune system to recognise and fight cancer cells.
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that works by helping the body’s own immune system find and destroy cancer cells. Normally, the immune system can detect and remove abnormal cells, but ovarian cancer can find ways to avoid this by hiding or suppressing immune responses.
There are several types of immunotherapies being explored for ovarian cancer:
- Checkpoint inhibitors: These drugs take the “brakes” off immune cells (like T cells), allowing them to attack cancer more effectively. However, many ovarian cancers don’t respond well to these drugs on their own.
- Cancer vaccines: These aim to “train” the immune system to recognise specific markers on ovarian cancer cells and attack them.
- Adoptive cell therapy (like CAR-T cells): This involves removing immune cells from the body, modifying or expanding them in the lab, and putting them back to better fight the cancer.
While immunotherapy has shown major success in some cancers, ovarian cancer has been more difficult to treat this way. Researchers are working on ways to improve responses, including combining immunotherapies with each other and also with chemotherapy or targeted drugs.
References:
Morand S, Devanaboyina M, Staats H, Stanbery L, Nemunaitis J. Ovarian Cancer Immunotherapy and Personalized Medicine. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jun 18;22(12):6532. doi: 10.3390/ijms22126532.
Yang C, Xia BR, Zhang ZC, Zhang YJ, Lou G, Jin WL. Immunotherapy for Ovarian Cancer: Adjuvant, Combination, and Neoadjuvant. Front Immunol. 2020 Oct 6;11:577869. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.577869.
L
A genetic modification that can help cancer cells repair themselves and survive.
Some researchers are studying whether disrupting lactylation could slow or stop cancer growth and spread. In ovarian cancer research, this may lead to new treatment strategies aimed at making cancer cells more vulnerable to therapy.
References:
A blood test that looks for cancer-related materials like DNA or cells without needing a tissue sample.
A liquid biopsy is a type of test, typically a blood test, that is used to gather information about a disease such as cancer. This includes looking for cancer-related materials, such as fragments of tumour DNA (called circulating tumour DNA or ctDNA), cancer cells, or extracellular vesicles. Unlike a traditional biopsy, which involves surgically removing a piece of tissue, liquid biopsies are much less invasive.
In ovarian cancer, researchers are exploring how liquid biopsies might help detect the disease earlier, monitor how well a treatment is working, or catch signs that the cancer may be coming back. Because they can be done repeatedly over time, liquid biopsies may offer a real-time view of how a cancer is changing and responding to therapy.
Although still under development for routine ovarian cancer care, liquid biopsies are a promising tool for making cancer detection and monitoring more accessible, personalised, and less invasive.
A type of genetic material that helps regulate how genes function, without making proteins.
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) interact with DNA, RNA, and proteins to influence gene activity, turning genes on or off, controlling how cells grow, or responding to signals in the body. In ovarian cancer research, lncRNAs are being studied to better understand how cancer develops and spreads, and whether they could be used as targets for new treatments.
References:
M
A type of white blood cell that helps defend the body and supports the immune system.
Macrophages remove harmful pathogens and dead cells, and help coordinate other immune cells. They also play a role in wound healing. In ovarian cancer, macrophages can take on different roles: M1 macrophages support anti-cancer immune responses and help attack tumours, while M2 macrophages can promote tumour growth, suppress the immune response, and support cancer spread. Researchers are exploring how to shift macrophages toward an M1 state to improve immune-based ovarian cancer treatments.
References:
The spread of cancer from where it started to other parts of the body.
Metastasis is when cancer spreads from where it first started to other parts of the body. Cancer cells can travel through the blood or lymph, but in ovarian cancer, they commonly spread by floating in the fluid that surrounds the organs in the belly. From here, the cancer cells settle in new tissues and start growing there, forming secondary tumours. If cancer spreads from one site, such as the ovary, to other parts of the body, it is still considered ovarian cancer.
Researchers are studying how and why ovarian cancer spreads, and what can be done to stop it. Treatments like surgery and chemotherapy aim to remove or kill as much cancer as possible, including any that has spread. Understanding metastasis is the key to finding new ways to stop ovarian cancer from progressing.
Resources
Bayraktar E, Chen S, Corvigno S, Liu J, Sood AK. Ovarian cancer metastasis: Looking beyond the surface. Cancer Cell. 2024 Oct 14;42(10):1631-1636. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.08.016.
Lengyel E. Ovarian cancer development and metastasis. Am J Pathol. 2010 Sep;177(3):1053-64. doi: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.100105.
https://www.ocrf.com.au/news/104/understanding-ovarian-cancer-metastasis
A group of immune cells that play key roles in protecting the body but can also influence cancer.
Myeloid cells include macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and other types of immune cells. In healthy tissue, they help fight infections, clear dead cells, and coordinate immune responses. In ovarian cancer, certain myeloid cells can be “reprogrammed” by the tumour to support cancer growth, suppress anti-tumour immunity, and help cancer cells hide from the immune system. Researchers are studying how to block these tumour-promoting effects and harness myeloid cells to support better immune responses against ovarian cancer.
References:
N
A form of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel packaged with a protein called albumin, which helps deliver the drug to tumour cells.
O
Small, three-dimensional models of cancer cells that can closely replicate how tumours act in the body
Organoids are small, three-dimensional models of organs or tumours grown in the lab, and can be made up of cells extracted from real patient cells. They can be grown in a gel or free-floating in growth media, allowing them to more accurately replicate what is happening in the body.
In ovarian cancer research, organoids made from tumour tissue are helping scientists understand how the disease works and how it responds to different drugs. They are also useful for testing different drugs to see which ones are most effective for a specific cancer: supporting the move towards more personalised treatment.
Because organoids reflect the biology of the patient’s tumour, they also offer a way to study treatment resistance, recurrence, and the development of new therapies.
References:
Chan WS, Mo X, Ip PPC, Tse KY. Patient-derived organoid culture in epithelial ovarian cancers-Techniques, applications, and future perspectives. Cancer Med. 2023 Oct;12(19):19714-19731. doi: 10.1002/cam4.6521.
Li S, Lei N, Chen M, Guo R, Han L, Qiu L, Wu F, Jiang S, Tong N, Wang K, Li Y, Chang L. Exploration of organoids in ovarian cancer: From basic research to clinical translation. Transl Oncol. 2024 Dec;50:102130. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102130.
The length of time a patient lives after starting treatment.
P
Targeted drugs that stop cancer cells with faulty DNA repair from fixing themselves.
PARP inhibitors are a type of targeted cancer drug that work by stopping cancer cells from repairing their DNA. Normally, all cells have tools to fix DNA damage so they can keep functioning. One of these tools is a protein called Poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). But some ovarian cancer cells already have problems fixing their DNA because of inherited changes in genes like BRCA1 or BRCA2, or because they have another defect called homologous recombination deficiency (HRD).
PARP inhibitors block the PARP protein, making it even harder for these faulty cancer cells to repair themselves. This leads to the cancer cells dying, while most healthy cells are less affected. These drugs are usually taken as tablets and are used to help keep ovarian cancer under control after initial treatment, or sometimes when the cancer comes back.
To find out who might benefit from PARP inhibitors, doctors can do a HRD test, a lab test that looks for signs a tumour has trouble repairing DNA. If the test shows HRD or a BRCA mutation, they are more likely to respond well to PARP inhibitors.
References:
Giannini A, Di Dio C, Di Donato V, D'oria O, Salerno MG, Capalbo G, Cuccu I, Perniola G, Muzii L, Bogani G. PARP Inhibitors in Newly Diagnosed and Recurrent Ovarian Cancer. Am J Clin Oncol. 2023 Sep 1;46(9):414-419.
Goldlust IS, Guidice E, Lee JM. PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer. Semin Oncol. 2024 Feb-Apr;51(1-2):45-57. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2024.01.001. Epub 2024 Jan 14. PMID: 38262776; PMCID: PMC11031289.
Peer-reviewed research is verified by multiple experts to ensure that it is reliable.
When research is peer-reviewed, it means the study has been carefully checked by other independent experts in the same scientific field before it is published. These experts look at whether the methods are sound, the results are reliable, and the conclusions are fair, helping ensure the research can be trusted.
When ovarian cancer returns within six months of completing platinum-based chemotherapy, indicating that platinum drugs are unlikely to be effective again.
The Australian Government program that subsidises the cost of approved medicines, making them more affordable for patients.
A small trial that tests whether a new treatment is safe.
The goal of a Phase I trial is to determine whether a new treatment is safe. These early trials involve a small number of participants and focus on finding the safest dose, identifying potential side effects, and understanding how the treatment interacts with other medications or food. They may also explore the most effective way to deliver the treatment, such as by tablet or directly through a vein.
References:
A study that looks at how well a treatment works and continues to assess safety.
Phase II trials are designed to assess how well a treatment works - this is known as its efficacy. These trials typically involve several hundred participants. Depending on the trial design, participants may be divided into groups to receive different doses or treatment schedules, or they may be compared to a standard treatment (randomised controlled trial). In some cases, all participants receive the same treatment (non-randomised trial). Phase II trials also continue to monitor the treatment’s safety.
References:
A large study that compares a new treatment to the current standard treatment to see which works better.
Phase III trials are large studies designed to confirm whether a new treatment is more effective than the current standard of care. They usually involve hundreds to thousands of participants and are often conducted across multiple sites. These trials compare the new treatment to existing options and continue to monitor safety and side effects. The results from Phase III trials are important for regulatory approval and determining whether the treatment should become widely available.
References:
Tailored treatment strategies to an individual’s unique disease.
Precision medicine uses a person’s unique information, such as genetics, lifestyle, and environment, to help select the treatment most likely to work for them, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. In ovarian cancer, precision medicine focuses on identifying the specific genetic and molecular features of a patient’s tumour (such as BRCA mutations or homologous recombination deficiency). This information can guide the use of targeted therapies like PARP inhibitors and inform treatment decisions to improve outcomes and minimise side effects.
References:
The length of time during and after treatment that the cancer does not grow or spread.
The study of the function and structure of proteins.
Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins: their structure, function, and how they interact within cells. In ovarian cancer research, proteomics is used to discover changes in protein levels or activity that drive cancer growth, identify potential new drug targets, and find biomarkers for earlier detection or treatment response.
References:
The proteasome is a large protein complex responsible for degrading proteins.
The proteasome is a large protein complex that acts like a recycling centre, breaking down proteins that are damaged or no longer needed.
In ovarian cancer research, drugs called proteasome inhibitors are being studied for their potential to block this process and trigger cancer cell death. By stopping cancer cells from clearing out damaged proteins, proteasome inhibitors may help slow or stop tumour growth.
References:
R
When cancer comes back after treatment.
When a disease like cancer returns after a cancer-free (remission) period. Sometimes when ovarian cancer recurs it can be more difficult to treat if it has become ‘resistant’ to standard therapies like chemotherapy. Researchers are working to find better ways to predict, prevent, and treat ovarian cancer recurrence.
References:
A new drug that blocks the glucocorticoid receptor, preventing the stress hormone cortisol from helping cancer cells resist chemotherapy.
Factors that compromise how a cell replicates and multiples.
A genome replicates once during a cell cycle. Any factor compromising this replication process is referred to as replication stress. In ovarian cancer research, researchers look at ways to cause replication stress and therefore stop cancer cell multiplying.
References:
When cancer no longer, or rarely, responds to standard treatments.
Resistance happens when cancer stops responding to treatment. It may be present from the start (intrinsic resistance) or develop over time (acquired resistance). In ovarian cancer, resistance to chemotherapy (such as platinum-based drugs) is a major challenge, especially in recurrent disease. Researchers are working to understand why resistance occurs and to develop new therapies to overcome it.
References:
A lab method that analyses all RNA molecules in a cell.
RNA sequencing is a lab technique that identifies and measures all the RNA molecules present in a cell or tissue sample. In ovarian cancer research, RNA sequencing helps scientists understand how genes are being used by cancer cells, discover new biomarkers, track how tumours evolve, and identify potential targets for treatment.
References:
S
A routine test designed to identify signs of disease early, before symptoms appear.
Screening is the process of identifying unrecognised disease in people who appear healthy and do not have symptoms. For example, the National Cervical Screening Program routinely monitors people for cervical cancer. Currently, there is no approved screening test for ovarian cancer, though researchers are actively working to develop one.
References:
How well a test can correctly identify people who have a disease.
Sensitivity refers to a test’s ability to correctly detect those who actually have the condition - it’s about catching true positives.
For an ovarian cancer early detection test, high sensitivity means the test can correctly pick up most people who have the cancer, including those in early stages. This helps ensure cases aren’t missed.
References:
https://edrn.cancer.gov/documents/412/Skates_v2_-_EDRN_Steering_Committee_Meeting_virtual_27-28_Oct_2020_copy.pdf
Mangla M, Palo S, Devalla A, Kanikaram PK. Evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of imprint and scrape cytology for intraoperative risk stratification of ovarian tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Cytopathol. 2025 Jun;133(6):e70024. doi: 10.1002/cncy.70024.
How well a test can correctly identify people who do not have a disease.
Specificity describes how accurately a test can identify those who are disease-free - it’s about avoiding false positives. A highly specific test won’t mistakenly say someone has a condition when they don’t.
For an ovarian cancer early detection test, high specificity means the test accurately identifies people who are cancer-free. This helps avoid unnecessary stress, follow-up tests, and invasive procedures for people who don’t actually have the disease.
References:
https://edrn.cancer.gov/documents/412/Skates_v2_-_EDRN_Steering_Committee_Meeting_virtual_27-28_Oct_2020_copy.pdf
Singh AK, Yadav P, Shukla M, Samaiya S, Singh S, Sorout S. Comparative Meta-Analysis of Carbohydrate Antigen 125 (CA125), Human Epididymis Protein 4 (HE4), and Diagnostic Indices (Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) and Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA)) for Pre-operative Detection of Ovarian Carcinoma. Cureus. 2025 Apr 17;17(4):e82415. doi: 10.7759/cureus.82415
A genetic change that occurs during a person’s life and is only found in certain cells, such as cancer cells. Somatic mutations are not inherited from a parent.
A somatic mutation is a change in the DNA that happens at some point during a person’s life. These mutations are not inherited from a parent and are not passed on to children. Instead, they occur in individual cells, and may occur due to environmental factors, ageing, or errors when cells divide. These mutations can, but not always, cause cancer or other diseases.
In ovarian cancer, somatic mutations can play a key role in how the cancer develops, spreads, or responds to treatment. For example, a tumour might develop a mutation that makes it resistant to certain drugs, or another that makes it more likely to respond to a targeted therapy.
Somatic mutations can be identified through tumour testing, which helps guide personalised treatment decisions. Understanding somatic mutations in a tumour can help doctors choose the most effective therapies for an individual patient.
References:
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/somatic-mutation
Kuchenbaecker KB, et al… Olsson H. Risks of Breast, Ovarian, and Contralateral Breast Cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers. JAMA. 2017 Jun 20;317(23):2402-2416. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.7112.
Lab models made up of ‘spheres’ of cancer cells that mimic human tissue.
Spheroids are lab-grown cell models, often in 3D, that mimic the structure and behaviour of human tissues more closely than flat (2D) cell cultures. In ovarian cancer research, spheroids can model how cancer cells grow, interact with other cells, and respond to treatments, making them a valuable tool for testing new therapies in the lab.
References:
Serous ovarian cancer is the most common form of epithelial ovarian cancer.
Serous ovarian cancers most commonly arise from the cells in the fallopian tubes. It is divided into high-grade (aggressive, common) and low-grade (slow-growing) types.
References:
T
Treatments that specifically target cancer cells, sparing healthy cells.
Targeted treatments are designed to target specific molecules that cancer cells need to survive. Some work by activating the immune system against ovarian cancer cells while others work by interrupting the signalling between cancer cells and other cells, which stops them growing and spreading. Often these treatments, because they only target cancer cells and not healthy cells, have reduced side effects compared to traditional therapies like chemotherapy.
References:
The Australian government agency responsible for approving medicines and medical devices for use in Australia.
The surrounding cells, blood vessels, and immune cells that interact with and influence a tumour.
Imagine a tumour as a building under construction. The tumour microenvironment is the construction site surrounding it, filled with various workers and structures that can either support or hinder the building's progress. In ovarian cancer, this environment plays a crucial role in how the tumour grows, spreads, and responds to treatment.
- Stromal cells: These are like the scaffolding and support beams, providing structural integrity to the tumour.
- Blood vessels: Acting as delivery trucks, they bring in oxygen and nutrients essential for the tumour's growth.
- Immune cells: These are the security guards. Ideally, they should protect the site by attacking cancer cells. However, tumours can deceive them into standing down or even assisting in tumour growth.
- Fibroblasts: Think of these as the construction workers laying down the extracellular matrix (ECM), the foundation upon which the tumour builds. In cancer, they can become overactive, creating a dense matrix that supports tumour growth and blocks drug delivery.
- Signalling molecules: These are the communication lines, sending messages between cells to coordinate activities like growth and movement. Tumours can hijack these signals to promote their own survival and spread.
Understanding this complex environment is key to developing treatments that not only target the tumour itself but also its supportive surroundings.
References:
Garlisi B, Lauks S, Aitken C, Ogilvie LM, Lockington C, Petrik D, Eichhorn JS, Petrik J. The Complex Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer: Therapeutic Challenges and Opportunities. Curr Oncol. 2024 Jul 1;31(7):3826-3844. doi: 10.3390/curroncol31070283.
Yang Y, Yang Y, Yang J, Zhao X, Wei X. Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer: Function and Therapeutic Strategy. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020 Aug 11;8:758. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00758.
V
Vaccines leverage the body’s natural defences against disease and can be used for prevention or treatment.
Vaccines train the immune system to recognise and remember signs of a virus or disease, helping it mount a protective response. While many vaccines prevent infectious diseases, in cancer research, including ovarian cancer, therapeutic vaccines are being developed to help the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. These vaccines aim to improve the body’s ability to fight cancer and prevent recurrence.
References:
Get the latest news, stories & updates.
