The University of Queensland (UQ) and INOVIQ Ltd (ASX: IIQ) have joined forces to develop a groundbreaking blood test for early detection of ovarian cancer, known as “the silent killer.” The test, leveraging extracellular vesicles (EVs), has shown an impressive 94% overall accuracy in detecting ovarian cancer across all stages, with a sensitivity of over 90% and specificity of 96% for stage I, where survival rates exceed 90%.
To validate its performance in the general population, clinical trials will commence at UQ this year. Around 1,500 postmenopausal women from Queensland will participate in the study, evaluating the test’s suitability for population-based screening.
“Our test identifies ovarian cancer early, significantly increasing survival rates,” said Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo, Director of UQ’s Centre for Extracellular Vesicle Nanomedicine. “With a low false-positive rate of 4%, it’s an ideal screening tool.”
INOVIQ CEO said planning of clinical studies is underway, to support an initial US launch of the test for screening OC in asymptomatic high-risk women. The clinical studies will support the initial US launch of the test for screening high-risk women. The study is supported by grants from the NHMRC, the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, and the Lions Medical Research Foundation.
