Denver, Colorado, November 21, 2024: AOA Dx will present its latest research at the International Society of Liquid Biopsy conference, taking place from November 23-25, 2024. The abstract, titled “Identification of Tumor-Marker Gangliosides in Serum for Early-Stage Cancer Diagnosis,” highlights critical advancements in the early detection of ovarian cancer, the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.
AOA Dx’s novel approach focuses on tumor-marker gangliosides (TMGs), a class of lipids that are highly elevated in certain cancers and detectable via liquid biopsy.
The presented study investigates the potential of TMGs as biomarkers for the early detection of ovarian cancer. Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), researchers analyzed serum samples from 70 non-cancer subjects and 35 ovarian cancer patients (including 8 early-stage and 27 late-stage cases). The analysis identified 31 distinct TMG species, including GD1, GD2, and GD3 gangliosides.
Key findings include:
- Significant elevation of GD3 and GD2 species in OC patients.
- Decreased levels of specific GD1 species, such as GD1 (36:1).
- A novel diagnostic ratio of GD2 (36:1) to GD1 (36:1), demonstrating high accuracy in distinguishing ovarian cancer cases.
“This altered ganglioside signature offers a promising path forward for the early and accurate detection of ovarian cancer,” said Oriana Papin-Zoghbi, CEO and Co-Founder of AOA Dx. “Our goal is to develop a diagnostic assay that empowers clinicians to identify and treat ovarian cancer at earlier stages, dramatically improving patient outcomes.”
Future research will focus on validating these findings and exploring the diagnostic model’s effectiveness in symptomatic populations.