High throughput proteomics identifies a high-accuracy 11 plasma protein biomarker signature for ovarian cancer
Selected publication · Communications Biology, 2019
Enroth S., Berggrund M., Lycke M., Broberg J., Lundberg M., Assarsson E., Olovsson M., Stålberg K., Sundfeldt K., Gyllensten U.
| Disease area | Application area | Sample type | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
Oncology | Patient Stratification | Plasma |  Olink Target 96 |
Editor's note
This early landmark study in the use of PEA to identify and develop high-performance protein signatures for early identification of cancer (OvCa) used multiple Olink Target 96 panels to discover markers associated with ovarian cancer. Consequently, a custom PEA panel providing absolute quantification of 11 proteins selected for the final model was validated in independent cohorts, providing high-accuracy discrimination of stage I-IV OvCa from benign tumors.
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is usually detected at a late stage and the overall 5-year survival is only 30–40%. Additional means for early detection and improved diagnosis are acutely needed. To search for novel biomarkers, we compared circulating plasma levels of 593 proteins in three cohorts of patients with ovarian cancer and benign tumors, using the proximity extension assay (PEA). A combinatorial strategy was developed for identification of different multivariate biomarker signatures. A final model consisting of 11 biomarkers plus age was developed into a multiplex PEA test reporting in absolute concentrations. The final model was evaluated in a fourth independent cohort and has an AUC = 0.94, PPV = 0.92, sensitivity = 0.85 and specificity = 0.93 for detection of ovarian cancer stages I–IV. The novel plasma protein signature could be used to improve the diagnosis of women with adnexal ovarian mass or in screening to identify women that should be referred to specialized examination.