Progress in biomarker discovery for diagnostic testing in epithelial ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer accounts for more deaths than all other gynecological malignancies combined, primarily due to advanced stage at initial presentation and our continued inability to detect early-stage disease. Multiple approaches have led to the development of new diagnostic markers for early detection, with no real success (high false positives and poor positive predictive values). Considering the rarity of this disease, the impact of poor diagnostic markers will only be detrimental to the entire early-detection process. Recent advances in proteomics, as well as breakthroughs in analytical techniques and bioinformatics, have enabled researchers to look outside the box, for a panel of proteins (protein profiles) rather than just one or two proteins, thus increasing sensitivity and specificity. This review describes current strategies in the early detection of ovarian cancer, existing markers, their clinical utilities and shortcomings, and highlights newer markers and technologies that are being pursued to improve women's healthcare.