Circulating biomarkers for detection of ovarian cancer and predicting cancer outcomes

Background: Securing a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and establishing means to predict outcomes to therapeutics remain formidable clinical challenges. Early diagnosis is particularly important since survival rates are markedly improved if tumour is detected early. Methods: Comprehensive miRNA profiles were generated on presurgical plasma samples from 42 women with confirmed serous epithelial ovarian cancer, 36 women diagnosed with a benign neoplasm, and 23 comparably age-matched women with no known pelvic mass. Results: Twenty-two miRNAs were differentially expressed between healthy controls and the ovarian cancer group ( P