Research Areas: Ovarian Cancer

OvaCheck^® is Correlogic’s blood test for the early detection of epithelial ovarian cancer — the most common form of ovarian cancer.  It uses Correlogic’s patented pattern recognition technology to detect ovarian cancer at all stages — including its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective.

OvaCheck was developed as an additional tool for physicians for use in assessing women at high risk of ovarian cancer. Once cleared by the FDA, the test will be available to physicians nationwide through Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) and Quest Diagnostics, the two largest clinical diagnostic laboratories in the country. For the patient, the test is simple, accessible and virtually painless.  It requires only a small blood draw — and no advance preparation.  Patients may have their blood taken in a doctor’s office or any of LabCorp’s or Quest Diagnostic’s 2,700 patient service centers nationwide.

Initial research underlying OvaCheck was conducted as part of a Cooperative Research Agreement (CRADA), with the FDA/NCI.  In connection with this collaboration, Correlogic and government scientists published nine studies in peer-reviewed journals establishing and validating the use of Correlogic’s approach and technology.  These joint studies included two on ovarian cancer specifically.  Government researchers have also used our technology and approach in separate studies.   Subsequent to conclusion of the government collaboration, Correlogic has continued to advance its research through work with leading U.S. and international medical institutions.  Currently, Correlogic is conducting clinical trials on OvaCheck at twelve research sites in the U.S. and abroad.

The OvaCheck Medical Advisory Board, is guiding the final development of OvaCheck and its introduction to the medical and patient communities.  The advisory board is chaired by Philip J. DiSaia, MD, one of the foremost authorities in gynecologic oncology.  Dr. DiSaia has brought together the country’s preeminent medical clinicians and researchers in the field for this initiative.

About Ovarian Cancer

The American Cancer Society estimates that ovarian cancer will strike 21,650 women and take the lives of 15,520 women in 2008.  Ovarian cancer is by far the most deadly of gynecologic cancers, accounting for more than 55 percent of all gynecologic cancer deaths. But ovarian cancer is also among the most treatable — if it is caught early.  When ovarian cancer is caught early and appropriately treated, the 5-year survival rate is 93 percent.  The reality is that most cases — 81 percent of all cases of ovarian cancer — are not caught in earliest stage.  This is because early stage ovarian cancer is very difficult to diagnose.  Its symptoms may not appear or be noticed at this point.  Or, symptoms — such as bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation and others — may be vague and associated with many common and less serious conditions.  Most importantly, there has been no effective test for early detection.  An effective tool for early and accurate detection of ovarian cancer is a critical unmet medical need.