miRNAs in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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High grade serous ovarian cancer represents the gynecological malignancy with the highest incidence of mortality. Decision-making tools are currently limited to the use of standard imaging modalities and analysis of serum biomarkers, such as CA 125, which often have low specificity and sensitivity. Recently, a growing research interest has been aimed at so-called circulating microRNAs (miRNAs). Indeed, it has been observed that miRNAs are abundantly present in all biological fluids and play the key role of messengers in intercellular communication. Cancer cells have a rapid turnover which results in a continuous release of nucleic acids and vesicles derived from the tumor itself, such as the tumor cells themselves that separate from the tumor mass to enter the bloodstream. Given their important role as modulators of gene expression, in order to preserve their integrity, miRNAs are encapsulated in specific vesicles, in order to prevent their degradation by the enzymes present in biological fluids. In this context, the chance of monitoring the expression levels of specific miRNAs represents a very interesting option both for an early diagnosis and for monitoring the clinical response to pharmacological treatment. Currently, there are no non-invasive approaches to monitor the clinical outcome in real time, while the identification of circulating biomarkers would allow prompt intervention, possibly modifying the pharmacological management in case of progression.

Official Title
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Analysis of Circulating miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers of Diagnosis and Prognosis in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

Conditions
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High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age>18 Histological diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer Patients eligible for surgery Patients followed in the clinical care pathway c / o oncological gynecology (surgery and follow up) informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Patients with HCV, HBV and HIV Patients with other malignancies diagnosed less than 5 years prior to the diagnosis of ovarian malignancy Ovarian metastases of primary neoplasms of other organs Presence of ascites for non-neoplastic causes
Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Longitudinal miRNAs analysis over chemotherapy | Evaluation of miRNA expression in longitudinal blood samples collected during every follow-up | 2 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Associaition miRNA-clinico-pathological data | Correlation between miRNAs deregulation and clinico-pathological and molecular data | 2 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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miRNAs