RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Innovative Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Assays

Ovarian cancer is often found late, which can make treatment harder. This study is exploring innovative blood tests, sometimes called 'liquid biopsies', which look for early signs of cancer in your blood. These tests are still in development and not yet part of routine care. We're comparing results from these new tests in people who have ovarian cancer with those who don't. We'll also collect standard blood and genetic information to understand more about ovarian cancer. This research aims to see if these blood tests can accurately pick out people with ovarian cancer. They are not used to make medical decisions for participants in the study.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Enrolment target

2,080

Start

03 Aug 2026

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2028

Ovarian Cancer

What is this study about?

Ovarian cancer can be difficult to diagnose early because its symptoms can be mild or seem like other common conditions. Finding ovarian cancer sooner could mean more effective treatment options and better results for patients.

Researchers are developing new blood tests, often called 'liquid biopsies', that can look for tiny clues in your blood that might signal the presence of cancer. These tests are still experimental and are not yet used by doctors in everyday care. The main goal of this study is to check how well several of these new blood tests work. We do this by comparing the test results from people who have ovarian cancer with the results from people who do not have cancer.

We will also collect information from regular blood tests and genetic checks. This helps us to get a fuller picture and understand how these different factors might be linked to ovarian cancer. It's important to know that this study is purely for research. The new blood tests being looked at are not used to give you a diagnosis or guide your treatment while you are taking part in the study.

Key takeaways

This study aims to find new ways to detect ovarian cancer earlier using blood tests.
The new blood tests are for research and not yet used in routine healthcare.
You'll give a single blood sample; no new treatments or medications are involved.
Participation will not directly impact your current medical care or diagnosis.
Your contribution could help improve future ovarian cancer detection for others.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for two main groups of people: those who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and healthy volunteers who don't have cancer.

To join, you need to be 35 years old or older. You should be a woman, trans man, or non-binary person who still has female reproductive organs. If you have ovarian cancer, your diagnosis must have been confirmed by a doctor, usually through a biopsy, before you have surgery or other treatment. You must also be planning to have surgery or a biopsy for what doctors suspect might be ovarian cancer.

For those without cancer, you must not have a history of any cancer. Unfortunately, you cannot take part if you have had cancer before, had an ovary removed, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if the study team thinks anything else might stop you from taking part safely or following the study plan.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 35 years old or older?
Are you a woman, trans man, or non-binary person with female reproductive organs?
If you have ovarian cancer, has it been recently diagnosed but not yet treated?
If you don't have cancer, have you never had a cancer diagnosis before?
Are you able to give your informed consent to take part?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the main thing you'll be asked to do is give a small amount of blood. This is done with a standard blood draw, much like when you have a blood test at your GP or hospital. For those with suspected ovarian cancer, this blood sample would usually be taken before you have your surgery or biopsy.

This study does not involve any new medicines, treatments, or extra procedures beyond the blood test. It's a single blood collection, and there are no follow-up visits specifically for this study. The information from your blood samples will be used for research only and will not be shared with you or your doctors for medical decisions.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study won't directly improve your health or change your current medical care. The new tests are for research and won't be used to diagnose or treat you. However, by taking part, you could help scientists learn more about ovarian cancer and potentially develop better ways to detect it early in the future, which could benefit many people. The main risk is discomfort or bruising from the blood test, which is usually minor. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (7)

Vseobecna Fakultni Nemocnice V Praze
Verified postcode
Prague, Czechia· Recruiting
Fakultni Nemocnice Bulovka
Verified postcode
Prague, Czechia· Recruiting
National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos
Verified postcode
Athens, Greece· Recruiting
Dept of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital
Verified postcode
Athens, Greece· Recruiting
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
Verified postcode
Kaunas, Lithuania· Not yet recruiting
Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil E.P.E.
Verified postcode
Lisbon, Portugal· Recruiting
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Hammersmith Hospital
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'liquid biopsy'?

A 'liquid biopsy' is a fancy term for a blood test that looks for tiny signs of cancer cells or DNA in your blood, rather than taking a tissue sample.

Will I get my test results from this study?

No, the results from these new blood tests are for research purposes only and will not be shared with you or your doctors. They won't be used to guide your medical care.

Do I have to take any new medication or treatment?

No, this study does not involve any new medications, treatments, or extra procedures beyond a simple blood test.

How long will I be involved in the study?

Your involvement is quite short – just the time it takes to have one blood sample taken. There are no ongoing visits or follow-ups for the study.

Is this study suitable for men?

Yes, trans men and non-binary people are eligible if they are 35 or older and still have female reproductive organs.

How to find out more

Michael Liontos

mlionto@med.uoa.gr +302132162845 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.