Experts also believe they have found a way to detect an ovarian tumour before it comes cancerous through a simple protein test
Ovarian cancer could be detected before it spreads and becomes deadly, scientists claim.
An enzyme which is key in making the cancer attack different parts of the body has been identified.
And experts also believe they have found a way to detect an ovarian tumour before it comes cancerous through a simple protein test.
The new findings provides hope for scientists in their quest to beat the disease, researchers from Oxford University say.
Doctors often find it difficult to diagnose ovarian cancer because it can grow into the stomach, colon and liver without being visible.
However, if the tumour is detected early enough, it responds well to chemotherapy.
But once it begins its journey around the body, it becomes resistant to treatment and is far more likely to kill.
Researchers found levels of a protein – called SOX2 – are much higher in the fallopian tubes of patients with ovarian cancer.
Higher levels are also found in those at risk of developing ovarian cancer – such as those with inherited mutations such as BRCA2 – made famous by Angelina Jolie.
Professor Ahmed Ahmed, from Oxford University, said: ‘Ovarian cancer can be undetectable for up to four years and only a third of people with the cancer get an early diagnosis.
‘A test for SOX2 could not only help detect cancers early but in some cases would enable us to detect a tumour before it becomes cancerous.
‘Early treatment hugely improves the odds for patients, so early detection is essential.
‘However, there is still a lot of work to be done because detecting SOX2 in the fallopian tubes is not an easy task.’
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The same researchers also discovered an enzyme – called SIK2 – which enables ovarian cancer to spread.
And once it spreads, it usually makes its way to the omentum – an apron of fatty tissue covering the small intestine.
The most common cause of death in ovarian cancer patients is malnutrition because the growing tumour obstructs the intestines.
Researchers at Oxford University found levels of a protein – called SOX2 – are much higher in the fallopian tubes of patients with ovarian cancer. Higher levels are also found in those at risk of developing ovarian cancer – such as those with inherited mutations such as BRCA2 – made famous by Angelina Jolie
Professor Ahmed added: ‘The omentum is rich in adipocytes – fat cells – and previous research found that the free fatty acids produced by these cells increase the spread of cancer.
‘However, we have found that ovarian cancer could only proliferate – grow – in the presence of an enzyme called SIK2, which has a role in ‘burning’ fat to produce energy that is needed by the cancer cells to survive in the omentum.
THE TOP SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF OVARIAN CANCER
Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with few symptoms in the early stages of the disease – and effective early screening tests are unavailable.
And yet, there remains ‘significant gaps’ in knowledge about the disease, according to a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report.
The disease doesn’t have any distinct symptoms.
However, the American Cancer Society said there are a few common symptoms to look out for.
Women are far more likely to have symptoms if the disease has spread beyond the ovaries.
And yet, even early-stage ovarian cancer can cause some of the following symptoms:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary symptoms – including having to pee more frequently
But, when they occur as a result of ovarian cancer, the symptoms are persistent and occur more often (and are more severe) than usual.
The American Cancer Society recommends a woman see her doctor – preferably a gynecologist – if she has those symptoms more than 12 times in a month.
Source: American Cancer Society
‘We continued this study of SIK2 and found that levels of the enzyme were higher in secondary tumours in the omentum than in the related primary tumours in the ovaries.’
SIK2 plays an important role in the growth of ovarian tumours, as well as spreading it to the omentum.
A series of experiments revealed the ‘pathways’ which support the development and spread of ovarian cancer.
Professor Ahmed said: ‘SIK2 is an important target for future treatments because it provides cancer cells with energy and also drives their increase in number.
‘Our experiments showed that suppressing SIK2 disrupted these pathways, which in the human body would reduce the possibility of cancer cells spreading and “coming back”.’
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer for women in the UK, with about 7,100 new cases each year – killing more than 4,000.
While in the US, around 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year.
It is the eighth most common form of the disease in women across the US and the fifth leading cause of death after lung, breast, colorectal and pancreatic cancers.
Lord Maurice Saatchi, who campaigns for better access to cancer treatment, said: ‘By explaining these very detailed processes, the Oxford team are providing maps for researchers working on ways to treat and defeat cancer.
‘The more we understand, the closer we come to beating not just ovarian cancer, but all types of cancer.’
Katherine Taylor, chief executive at research charity Ovarian Cancer Action, said: ‘We need to save the lives of more women by making ovarian cancer treatment more effective.
‘There has been little progress in ovarian cancer treatment in the past 30 years so these findings are promising, and have provided two areas of focus for scientists working on ovarian cancer.
‘Early detection and effective treatment are vital, and these discoveries will hopefully being us closer to both.’