Use of CA125 and Complementary Biomarkers for the Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer in Low Risk Women

May 1, 2026 updated by: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
The goal of this clinical research study is to find out if combining a standard blood test (CA-125) that checks for ovarian cancer with other blood tests that check for related tumor markers may be helpful in the early detection of ovarian cancer in women who are at low risk. Tumor markers are substances in the blood that may be related to ovarian cancer.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Up to 8,000 women will take part in this multicenter study.

Currently, there is no effective screening to detect ovarian cancer at its earliest stage in low risk women. CA-125 is an FDA approved blood test that may show the presence of ovarian cancer. Researchers have found other blood tests that detect ovarian cancers that may be missed by CA125 testing. Results of blood tests are combined into a Risk of Ovarian Cancer-2 (ROCA2) score to decide whether you need to return for additional bloodwork and/or an ultrasound.

If you are eligible to take part in this research study:

You will have blood (about 3-4 tablespoons) drawn for testing of tumor markers that can detect ovarian cancer.

You will be asked to complete a questionnaire about your medical and family history. It should take about 20-30 minutes to complete.

You will be asked to complete a questionnaire about your symptoms. It should take about 10-15 minutes to complete.

Depending on your CA-125 level you will receive 1 of 3 recommendations:

You will have blood (about 3-4 tablespoons) drawn for testing of tumor markers in 1 year.

You will have blood (about 3-4 tablespoons) drawn for testing of tumor markers in 3 months, OR You will have blood (about 3-4 tablespoons) drawn for testing of tumor markers, and you will have a transvaginal ultrasound (to look at your ovaries and fallopian tubes) in 6 weeks +/- 2 weeks.

An ultrasound test uses sound waves to check the position, size, and shape of the ovaries. During a transvaginal ultrasound, a small probe will be placed in your vagina and used to create and measure sound waves.

Based on the results of the transvaginal ultrasound (if you receive one):

You and the study doctor will discuss options for further treatment or standard cancer management, OR You will have blood (about 3-4 tablespoons) drawn for testing of tumor markers in 3 months.

When you return for your next yearly visit:

You will be asked to complete the questionnaire about your symptoms. You will be asked to complete a follow-up visit survey so that any updates to your personal and family medical history can be recorded. It should take about 10 minutes to complete.

Your blood draw results will be sent to you by letter or e-mail so that you will know when to return for a visit.

If you miss a visit, the study staff may try to contact you by telephone, e-mail, or letter. Visit reminders may also be sent to you by letter or e-mail.

If you are unable to return for visits after 3 years, you will be taken off study. You may continue to take part in this study unless you no longer qualify for the study or you no longer would like to take part in this study.

If you develop ovarian or non-ovarian cancer on this study, researchers will no longer collect blood draws, transvaginal ultrasounds, or questionnaires from you. However, the study team will continue to collect updates in your medical record. This includes slides that will be reviewed from cases of ovarian or non-ovarian cancer that are collected as part of your standard of care.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
8000

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Study Coordinator MD Anderson
  • Phone Number: 713-563-6728

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Florida
      • Miami, Florida, United States, 33136
        • Recruiting
        • Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Univ of Miami Miller School of Medicine
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Brian Slomovitz, MD
    • Iowa
      • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50309
        • Recruiting
        • John Stoddard Cancer Center
    • Minnesota
      • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55454
        • Recruiting
        • University of Minnesota
        • Contact:
          • Samantha Hoffman, MD
    • New Jersey
      • Morristown, New Jersey, United States, 07962
        • Recruiting
        • Carol G. Simon Cancer Center / Atlantic Health
    • New York
      • Rochester, New York, United States, 14642
        • Recruiting
        • University of Rochester Medical Center
        • Contact:
          • Richard Moore, MD
    • Oklahoma
      • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73104
        • Recruiting
        • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
        • Contact:
          • Laura Holman, MD
    • Rhode Island
      • Providence, Rhode Island, United States, 02905
        • Recruiting
        • Women's and Infant's Hospital
    • Texas
      • Austin, Texas, United States, 78712
        • Active, not recruiting
        • The University of Texas at Austin
      • Dallas, Texas, United States, 75390
        • Active, not recruiting
        • University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center
      • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
        • Recruiting
        • University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Denise H. Nebgen, MD, PHD, MD, PHD
      • Houston, Texas, United States, 77054
        • Recruiting
        • Women's Hospital of Texas, Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates (OGA)
      • San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78229
        • Recruiting
        • UT Health Science Center San Antonio
        • Contact:
          • Georgia McCann, MD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

50 years to 74 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Female, >/= 50 years old or less than 75 years old.
  2. Postmenopausal (>/= 12 months amenorrhea).
  3. Have at least one ovary.
  4. Cancer-free and have not received any chemotherapy or radiation therapy for >/=12 months prior to enrolling on this study.
  5. Willingness to return for CA 125 blood tests annually or earlier if indicated.
  6. Willingness to return to undergo transvaginal ultrasound if indicated.
  7. Women need to provide the name of a gynecologist or qualified healthcare professional willing to provide appropriate follow-up care if indicated

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Female: Less than 50 years old or older than 75 years at the time of enrollment.
  2. Psychiatric or psychological or other conditions which prevent a fully informed consent.
  3. Prior removal of both ovaries.
  4. Active non-ovarian malignancy.
  5. Women who have a history of non-ovarian malignancy will be eligible if they have no persistent or recurrent disease and have not received treatment for >12 months. If they are on SERMS (i.e. tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors) they will not be excluded. Women maybe undergoing or have had treatment <12 months prior to study entry for basal cell carcinoma only.
  6. High risk for ovarian cancer due to familial predisposition as defined by the following: a. Known mutation in BRCA1 of BRCA2. b. Two 1st or 2nd degree relatives of same lineage who have: two ovarian cancers; one ovarian cancer & one pre-menopausal breast cancer; two pre-menopausal breast cancers; one pre-menopausal & one post-menopausal breast cancer. (These conditions can also be met using the patient and one 1st or 2nd degree female relative.) c. Ashkenazi Jewish descent with one 1st degree or two 2nd degree relatives with pre-menopausal breast or ovarian cancer or participant has had pre-menopausal breast cancer. d. 1st or 2nd degree male relative with breast cancer diagnosed at any age. (First degree relative defined as children, siblings and parents. Second degree relative defined as half-siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents, and grandchildren.)
  7. Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC)/Lynch Syndrome: known genetic mutation, presumed HNPCC carrier, Amsterdam criteria.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Screening
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: CA 125 Analysis

Experimental: CA-125 Analysis

Experimental: CA-125, HE4, and Osteopontin bio-marker analysis. Participants will have blood (3-4 tablespoons) drawn for CA-125 and other tumor markers.

Depending on CA-125 level and other tumor markers:

Blood (3-4 tablespoons) drawn for CA-125 testing and other tumor markers in 1 year.

Blood (3-4 tablespoons) drawn for CA-125 testing and other tumor markers in 3 months, OR

Blood (3-4 tablespoons) drawn for CA-125 testing and other tumor markers, and a transvaginal ultrasound in 6 weeks +/- 2 weeks.
Behavioral: Questionnaire
Questionnaires completed at baseline and during each follow up visit.
Other Names:
  • Survey

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Rate of increase in CA 125 levels and other tumor markers over time
Time Frame: Based on CA-125 level, 3 options will result: 1) re-draw blood (CA-125) in 1 year, 2) re-draw blood (CA-125) in 3 months), or 3) re-draw blood (CA-125) AND TVUS in 6 weeks +/- 2 weeks.
[Time Frame: Based on CA-125 level and other tumor markers, 3 options will result: 1) re-draw blood (CA-125 and other tumor markers) in 1 year, 2) re-draw blood (CA-125 and other tumor markers) in 3 months, or 3) re-draw blood (CA-125 and other tumor markers) and TVUS in 6 weeks +/- 2 weeks.]
Based on CA-125 level, 3 options will result: 1) re-draw blood (CA-125) in 1 year, 2) re-draw blood (CA-125) in 3 months), or 3) re-draw blood (CA-125) AND TVUS in 6 weeks +/- 2 weeks.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Golfers Against Cancer

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Denise Nebgen, MD, PHD, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 2, 2001

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 30, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
November 30, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
October 3, 2007

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 3, 2007

First Posted (Estimated)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 4, 2007

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
May 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 1, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • ID01-022
  • P50CA083639 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
  • RP160145 (Other Grant/Funding Number: CPRIT)
  • U01CA200462 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
  • NCI-2018-02168 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program))

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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