Johns Hopkins: Cervical fluid samples gathered during routine Papanicolaou
(Pap) tests are the basis of a new screening test for endometrial and
ovarian cancers developed by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. PapSEEK detects mutations in DNA that have been identified for
specific cancers sooner. Earlier detection of cancer could lead to
earlier treatment and potentially better outcomes for patients. The test uses cervical fluid samples to look for mutations in
18 genes, which are highly or commonly mutated in endometrial or ovarian
cancers, and aneuploidy, the presence of abnormal numbers of
chromosomes in cells. The researchers said their results showed the
potential for mutation-based diagnostics to detect endometrial and
ovarian cancers earlier.
