Project: miRNA as biomarkers in early detection and personalized treatment in ovarian cancer

Acronym	miRPOC (Reference Number: ERAPERMED2022-073)
Project Topic	Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has poor survival. There are no effective early detection strategies, and early disease symptoms are non-specific. This study will provide the necessary validation of a miRNA panel for EOC early detection in serum samples from prospective cohorts, paired with clinical data and biospecimens. The project leverages established infrastructure and an interdisciplinary consortium. The objective is to validate a serologic miRNA panel that, together with CA125, would have sufficient diagnostic discrimination for early-stage disease to be used clinically as a tool that, complementary to imaging, would allow early diagnosis and direction of patients with suspected malignancy to personalized gyn-oncological care. We will: -Validate serum miRNA profiles as biomarkers for early detection in samples collected from cases <=3 years prior to EOC diagnosis and matched controls and characterize sources of variation in miRNA profiles and their impact on discrimination. -Evaluate miRNA profiles in the clinical setting and the discrimination between EOC cases and women with (i) benign ovarian tumors in blood samples collected prior to diagnostic surgery and (ii) underlying comorbidities (including other cancer types). Further, we will evaluate serum miRNA profiles as predictors of recurrence and will compare tumor tissue and serum miRNA profiles. -Develop and optimize protocols for data integration and methods for algorithm development. Direct in silico validation, including miRNA and CA125 levels, and clinical and epidemiologic data. The final model will be deployable in the clinic via a rich internet application and application interface. -Address Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects (ELSA), including activities in key stakeholder groups. Challenges in health data privacy and sharing, including for development of an artificial intelligence model, will be addressed, as will the definition of a “healthy” population with respect to miRNA profiles for EOC.
Network	ERA PerMed
Call	5th Joint Transnational Call for Proposals (2022)

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Oslo University Hospital	Coordinator	Norway
2	Brigham and Women's Hospital	Partner	United States
3	Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center)	Partner	Germany
4	Medical University of Lódz	Partner	Poland