Media release

From: University of South Australia

Adelaide researchers have identified a promising new biomarker and treatment target for ovarian cancer that could markedly improve the outlook for women diagnosed with this aggressive disease.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer in the world with a very poor survival rate, mainly due to late diagnosis. Each year, more than 200,000 women die from ovarian cancer, with about 70% of cases only discovered at advanced stages when the disease has spread beyond the ovaries.

Scientists from the University of South Australia and University of Adelaide have identified a cell surface receptor known as F2R, which could serve as both a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target for treatment.

Their findings have been published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Lead researcher Dr Hugo Albrecht, from UniSA’s Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation, says that F2R is frequently overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissues, especially in women who are resistant to chemotherapy and where the cancer has spread.

“This discovery represents a significant step forward,” he says.

“Current biomarkers lack sensitivity and accuracy, leaving clinicians with few tools for early detection or to reliably predict treatment outcomes.

“However, we believe that F2R could be a powerful candidate for both improving diagnosis and developing new personalised treatments that could target aggressive or drug-resistant cancers.”

Unlike other cancers, there are no reliable screening tests for ovarian cancer. A protein produced in ovarian cancer cells – CA-125 – can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, so it is not a credible diagnostic tool.

Dr Albrecht says the other complicating factor is that early symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague and non-specific, easily mistaken for common gastrointestinal or urinary issues. Many women and even healthcare professionals may not immediately suspect cancer, leading to a misdiagnosis.

The research team analysed large genomic datasets and confirmed elevated F2R levels in patient tumour samples using advanced imaging and tissue analysis.

Women with high levels of F2R had shorter life spans, underscoring its value as a prognostic indicator.

Studies using ovarian cancer cells revealed that silencing F2R significantly reduced the ability of tumour cells to move, invade and form spheroids – three key processes involved in cancer metastasis.

Moreover, F2R drug suppression made the cancer cells more sensitive to carboplatin, a common chemotherapy drug.

Co-author Dr Carmela Ricciardelli from the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute says the findings could pave the way for more precise oncology treatment.

“By testing F2R, we could not only improve how we identify patients at risk of early recurrence or chemotherapy resistance but also design therapies that work more effectively alongside standard chemotherapy,” Dr Ricciardelli says.

While the findings are based on preclinical studies, the team emphasises that additional large-scale clinical validation is necessary to consolidate these findings.

“Ovarian cancer has long been a silent killer because we lack the tools for early and accurate detection,” Dr Albrecht says.

“Our discovery of F2R’s role opens new avenues for diagnostic tests and personalised treatments that could make a real difference to survival rates.”

‘Protease-activated receptor F2R is a potential target for new diagnostic/prognostic and treatment applications for patients with ovarian cancer’ is authored by researchers from the University of South Australia, University of Adelaide, and the Royal Adelaide Hospital. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26178529

A video explaining the research findings is available at: https://youtu.be/ZqFy1190Rec