Ovarian Cancer

Implications: Annual ultrasound, coupled with a CA 125 blood test does not reliably detect ovarian cancer early, at a more curable stage.  A recent study published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology highlights the opportunity for an objective, molecular diagnostics ovarian cancer test that can identify this deadly cancer at an early stage.

Analysis: Among women in the United States, ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death, after lung and bronchus, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers.  Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.  Because it is usually not diagnosed until advanced stages, ovarian cancer has become known as the "silent killer."  Approximately $2.2 billion (in 2004 dollars) is spent each year on the treatment of ovarian cancer in the US each year.

Companies such as Abbott (NYSE: ABT) offer tests for CA 125.  Newer tests are under development by companies such as GeoPharma (NASDAQ: GORX) and researchers at Yale.

According to a recent report from a leading healthcare market research group, the worldwide market for molecular diagnostics was $18 billion in 2006 and is forecasted to grow to over $92 billion in the next ten years.  The US is forecasted to account for approximately half of this revenue.  For detailed information on the companies mentioned above and the high growth molecular diagnostics market; please contact your GLG representative to schedule an individual consult.