OVARIAN CANCER

Biomarkers

The diagnosis of ovarian cancer typically involves physical exams, imaging, and blood tests. Following diagnosis, molecular characteristics of the tumor are assessed to provide certain prognostic and predictive information.1-3​ Biomarker testing is crucial at all stages.3​

Ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment are informed by a sequence of coordinated clinical evaluations.1,3,4

Initial biopsy is performed for diagnosis of ovarian cancer1​
For appropriate patients, the majority of the tumor is removed through surgical debulking4​
Tumor tissue is used to identify actionable biomarkers that can guide the use of targeted therapies for patients when indicated3​

Actionable AND EMERGING Biomarkers

The biomarkers shown here are actionable and emerging and may be tested in later stages of ovarian cancer.3,5-6

Protein Expression5

FRα

HER2

Genomic Profiling3,6

BRCA1/2 mutation

BRAF mutations

RET fusions

NTRK fusions

IHC
NGS and/or PCR
Early-stage testing also advised
The biomarkers listed are not comprehensive and may not include all biomarkers available for testing. This may include biomarkers that are emerging.
BRAF=B-raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase; BRCA1/2=breast cancer gene 1/2; CAP=College of American Pathologists; ESMO=European Society for Medical Oncology; FRα=folate receptor alpha; HER2=human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; HRD=homologous recombination deficiency; IHC=immunohistochemistry; MMR=mismatch repair; MSI=microsatellite instability; NCCN=National Comprehensive Cancer Network; NGS=next-generation sequencing; NTRK=neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase; PCR=polymerase chain reaction; RET=ret proto-oncogene.

Learn more about FRα in ovarian cancer
References
1. American Cancer Society. Ovarian Cancer. August 8, 2025. Accessed December 4, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/ovarian-cancer.html. 2. College of American Pathologists. Homologous Recombination Repair Deficiency (HRD): Brief Review of the Clinical Implication and Methodology of Measurement. Accessed August 22, 2025. https://www.cap.org/member-resources/articles/homologous-recombination-repair-deficiency-hrd-brief-review-of-the-clinical-implication-and-methodology-of-measurement. 3. Harbin LM, et al. Diagnostics (Basel). 2022;12(4):842. doi:10.3390/diagnostics12040842. 4. Schorge JO, et al. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2010;3(3):111-117. 5. Ettorre VM, et al. Cancers (Basel). 2025;17(11):1822. doi:10.3390/cancers17111822. 6. Subbiah V, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2022;23(10):1261-1273. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00541-1.
    References
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