Australian researchers have found a better way to target one of the world’s most deadliest cancers.
Scientists from the University of South Australia (UniSa) and University of Adelaide have identified a promising new biomarker and treatment target for ovarian cancer, that could markedly improve the outlook for women diagnosed with the aggressive disease.
Lead researcher Dr Hugo Albrecht, from UniSA, said ovarian cancer was the most lethal gynaecological cancer in the world with a very poor survival rate, mainly due to late diagnosis.
“Each year, more than 200,000 women die from ovarian cancer, with about 70 percent of cases only discovered at advanced stages when the disease has spread beyond the ovaries,” Dr Albrecht said.
He said the research had identified a cell surface receptor known as F2R, which could serve as both a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target for treatment.
“F2R is frequently overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissues, especially in women who are resistant to chemotherapy and where the cancer has spread.
“This discovery represents a significant step forward.”
Dr Albrecht said current biomarkers lacked sensitivity and accuracy, leaving clinicians with few tools for early detection or to reliably predict treatment outcomes.
“However, we believe that F2R could be a powerful candidate for both improving diagnosis and developing new personalised treatments that could target aggressive or drug-resistant cancers.”
