Flow Cytometers for Detection of Ovarian Cancer

Authored by: Daniel Nugent

Art by: Caitlin Sweeney

As technology rapidly advances, scientists are now, more than ever, seeking novel mechanisms for saving lives before the danger is apparent. Oncology in particular is a field with endless potential for early detection and prevention. Currently, a novel method of technology is being developed to potentially alert people to a cancer diagnosis before they experience any symptoms. This method is called flow cytometry, and further research into it would change how we diagnose and treat cancer. One such example is ovarian cancer, which is found in stages III or IV in a staggering 75-80% of cases [2]. Frequently, these diagnoses result in little to no successful treatments because ovarian cancer often will not present symptoms in its early stages. This results in rapid spreading and noticeable symptoms only after it is too late. This is why ovarian cancer is often referred to as a “silent killer” [5]. However, flow cytometry can completely reshape future outcomes. 

Flow cytometry is a type of technology used to provide rapid multi-parametric analysis of cells in a solution. The key features behind flow cytometers are their usage of lasers as light sources to produce fluorescent light signals that are then read by detectors and quantified. This means that flow cytometers can measure the number of specific cell types in solution through fluorescent light interactions [4]. They have been used to quantify a number of different cell types. Notably, they have been proven to be able to detect small quantities of tumor biomarkers that are present in blood samples. This has incredible applications for ovarian cancer diagnoses. A common biomarker for ovarian cancer is CA-125 [3]. This biomarker can be present in abnormal quantities in the blood without causing symptoms to arise. Furthermore, if there are no symptoms or cause for concern, physicians will not order a lab to specifically count CA-125 levels. Many individuals today avoid or delay getting blood work for a variety of other reasons as well, one being the uncomfortable and tedious process of drawing the blood. Failure to receive adequate blood work is dangerous and can cost people their lives. This is where flow cytometry can provide a solution. They can be used as part of a yearly physical for women over the age of 50, when ovarian cancer diagnoses are most common. This form of preventative medicine could be the next colonoscopy, thus dramatically reducing the number of cases and deaths from ovarian cancer.  

By offering a solution that is easier and requires less blood than traditional venipuncture, flow cytometers can alter how ovarian cancer is detected, and have potential to be applied to a variety of other diseases. However, there are challenges present. Not all flow cytometers are cheap, fast, and easy to administer. Some can be very costly and large, making it difficult to scale across the country. However, researchers are working to increase accessibility to these machines. Despite the challenges, flow cytometers still remain a reliable option when administered. For example, they can present high specificity in their analyses (~93.3%) [1]. This makes them highly accurate and efficient in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer early on. However, specificity can differ across trials, so it is crucial for a standardized version to be developed before release. 

Ultimately, additional clinical trials and research must be conducted for flow cytometers to be the mainstream form of early ovarian cancer detection. Still, there is no doubt that they are one of the most promising forms of developing biotechnology for the future of oncology. Should they prove successful and easily distributable, millions of lives have the potential to be saved before they know they are in danger. 

References

1. Ozdemir, O., Mustafa Emre Duygulu, Yavuz Tekelioglu, Safak Ersoz, & Guven, S. (2025). A Comparison of the Flow Cytometric Analysis Results of Benign and Malignant Serous Tumors of the Ovary. Cancers, 17(16), 2691–2691. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers1716269

2. You Should Know - Ovarian Cancer  |  Johns Hopkins Pathology. (n.d.). Pathology.jhu.edu. https://pathology.jhu.edu/ovarian-cancer/you-should-know

3. Content - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center. (2025). Rochester.edu. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?contenttypeid=167&contentid=ca_125

4. NanoCellect. (2020, February 22). How Does Flow Cytometry Work?NanoCellect. https://nanocellect.com/blog/how-does-flow-cytometry-work/

5. Medicine, N. (n.d.). Ovarian Cancer: Taking on the “Silent Killer.”Northwestern Medicine. https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/medical-advances/ovarian-cancer-taking-on-silent-killer