Ovarian cancer poses a significant public health challenge, characterized by a late diagnosis and poor prognosis. Annually, nearly 300,000 women are diagnosed, predominantly with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, the most aggressive form.
Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis: A Public Health Challenge
Early detection of ovarian cancer remains a major challenge. Symptoms are often vague and nonspecific (pelvic pain, bloating, etc.), mimicking other benign conditions, thus delaying diagnosis. Tumor markers, such as CA 125, are used in routine clinical practice but suffer from low specificity, leading to many false positives.
Current research focuses on identifying new, more specific and sensitive biomarkers, combined with innovative imaging techniques (functional MRI, positron emission tomography) to improve early detection of precancerous lesions and small-volume cancers. The “liquid biopsy” approach, based on the analysis of circulating tumor DNA in blood, is also being explored for non-invasive screening.
Treatments: Towards Personalized Medicine
Treatments for ovarian cancer have evolved significantly in recent years, combining surgery, chemotherapy, and more recently, targeted therapies. However, resistance to treatment and recurrence remain frequent.
Basic research aims to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis and resistance to treatments. Targeted therapies, by inhibiting key molecules involved in tumor growth, offer new therapeutic perspectives. Immunotherapy, which stimulates the immune system to fight cancer cells, is also being explored in clinical trials.
Preclinical Modeling: A Promising Tool
Animal models and 3D organ-on-chip models allow for the study of the molecular mechanisms of ovarian cancer and the evaluation of the efficacy of new therapeutic strategies. These models provide a better understanding of tumor biology and facilitate the selection of patients likely to respond to a given treatment.
Perspectives
Ovarian cancer remains a major challenge in oncology. However, advances in basic and translational research offer new perspectives to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of this disease. The combination of different approaches, such as genomics, proteomics, and medical imaging, will enable the development of personalized therapeutic strategies and improve the quality of life of patients.
Companies that are innovating in this sector are likely to be eligible for several funding programs including government grants, and SR&ED.
