Abstract

Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death among gynecological malignancies, with a high mortality rate due to late diagnosis and limited treatment options. The development of effective biomarkers for early detection and prognosis is crucial to improving patient outcomes. The integration of biomarkers into clinical practice has the potential to revolutionize ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment. Emerging technologies, such as single-cell analysis and artificial intelligence, may enhance biomarker discovery and validation. Collaborative efforts are necessary to accelerate the development and clinical translation of biomarkers. The aim of this review is to explore the progress that has been made in diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of ovarian cancer. Traditional biomarkers, such as Cancer Antigen 125 (CA- 125), and their limitations, as well as emerging biomarkers, including liquid biopsies, microRNAs, and proteomics were discussed in this review. Findings from this review revealed that ovarian cancer research has identified several emerging diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Ferroptosis-related genes, such as Kelch-like ECH-Associated Protein 1 (KEAP1), Interferon Gamma (IFNG), and Phosphorylase Kinase Catalytic Subunit Gamma 2 (PHKG2), are correlated with good prognosis and immune response. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a promising biomarker for monitoring ovarian cancer recurrence and predicting treatment response. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is associated with ovarian cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and may serve as a reliable diagnostic biomarker. Ataxia-Telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinase (ATR) and Phosphorylated ATR kinase (p-ATR) proteins are emerging as prognostic biomarkers and DNA damage response targets. Multi-marker panels, including CA125 and Human Epididymis Protein 4 (HE4), have shown improved sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing ovarian cancer. These biomarkers hold promise for improving diagnosis and treatment. The identification of emerging biomarkers in ovarian cancer holds promise for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Recent advances in ferroptosis-related genes, ctDNA, IL-6, and ATR/p-ATR have potential clinical applications. Further research is needed to validate these findings and translate them into clinical practice effectively.

Keywords: Ovarian cancer; Biomarkers; Diagnosis; Prognosis; Artificial intelligence; Personalized medicine