Tumor markers for early detection of ovarian cancer.
The overall mortality rate for ovarian cancer is 75%, but when diagnosed at stage I, 90% of patients can be cured. Strategies for early detection require high sensitivity (>75%) and extremely high specificity (99.6%) to attain a positive predictive value of at least 10%. When functioning alone, conventional markers fall short of this required sensitivity or specificity. Greater specificity can be achieved by combining multiple markers. Meanwhile, technological developments offer the potential identification of new candidate markers. Panels of new markers have been discovered with improved sensitivity and specificity for early-stage detection, but these require prospective validation. Through empirical development of: biotechnology (including monoclonal antibodies, gene expression, cloning of gene families and proteomics); statistical methods; and guidelines from specialized institutions, more candidate markers might be discovered and validated with systematic, efficient and cost-effective screenings.
Ren
Juan
J
Cancer Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. renjuan88@yahoo.com.cn
Cai
Hui
H
Li
Yi
Y
Zhang
Xiaozhi
X
Liu
Zi
Z
Wang
Jian-Sheng
JS
Hwa
Yi Lisa
YL
Zhang
Yuelang
Y
Yang
Ya
Y
Li
Yu
Y
Jiang
Shi-Wen
SW
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D055442:Metabolome; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D020543:Proteome / Q000032:analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D020543:Proteome