The New Option

More than the conventional pap test, DOvEEgene is the new genomic uterine pap test that was developed by a team of McGill researchers. Whereas the conventional pap test screens for cervical cancer by finding abnormal cells under a microscope , the DOvEEgene genomic uterine pap test is developed to screen for both ovarian and endometrial cancers.

It uses technology which can find one abnormal cell in a 1000 normal cells. These differences and changes in DNA in the cell are analyzed by an AI algorithm which identifies whether or not the abnormal cells picked up are cancerous or not.

The DOvEEgene test is the only test capable of making the distinction between cancer and non-cancer cells in pre- and post-menopausal individuals.

  • Endometrial and ovarian cancers account for the top 4th cause of cancer deaths in women in Canada, cervical cancer is the 16th top killer

  • 8 individuals die from ovarian and endometrial cancers each day in Canada

  • Most ovarian and a subset of endometrial cancers (25%) are diagnosed in stage 3 and 4 when the cancer has spread due to vague/unspecific symptoms

  • The 5-year survival rate for ovarian and endometrial cancers diagnosed in stage 1 is close to 90% while those diagnosed in stage 4 drop to a 20% survival rate

Learn About Your Eligibility for the Test
0th
Highest combined cancer killer of Canadian women
0+
Canadians were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020
0%
Of individuals with ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the late stages

MEET OUR COLLABORATORS

The team of collaborators who was able to make the dream of early detection of ovarian and endometrial cancers into a reality is a multi-disciplinary team headed by Dr. Lucy Gilbert. She is the Director of Gynecologic Oncology and the Women’s Health Research Unit at the McGill University Health Center and Professor at McGill University in the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Oncology.

For this complex clinical issue to be solved, the minds and expertise of many different experts needed to be brought together. We would like to acknowledge the nominated investigators for each field who were instrumental in the creation of the DOvEEgene test.

Dr. Ioannis Ragoussis
Dr. Ioannis RagoussisMolecular team McGill University and MUHC Genome Quebec Innovation Center
His team has been working hard on the R&D aspect of the molecular analysis and will begin analyzing patient samples with their most optimized version.
Professor Rosaire Mongrain
Professor Rosaire MongrainBiomedical Engineering McGill University
His team designed the sampler for the test kit for it to be friendly for both patients and physicians to use and collect as many cells as possible.

Dr. Celia Greenwood
Dr. Celia GreenwoodStatistical Modeling The Lady Davis Institute
Her team created the AI algorithm which is essential for our test to be able to distinguish the non-cancer samples from those containing cancer.

Dr. John Sampalis
Dr. John SampalisHealth economics McGill University
His team is running different statistical analysis so to help present to the government the life and cost savings of this test so that it may be implemented as standard of care.
Dr. Jean-Baptiste Riviere
Dr. Jean-Baptiste RiviereBioinformatics Team RI-MUHC
His team has helped finalize the bioinformatics aspect of the test and will put in place the required measures for the analysis and return of results so as to be at par with all other current molecular diagnostic tests.
Dr. Olga Basso
Dr. Olga BassoEpidemiology McGill University
Her team have provided guidance on the study design and methodology and will continue to help with estimating the impact of the study, the clinical validity and utility.

Dr. William Foulkes
Dr. William FoulkesHuman Genetics McGill University
His team specializes in cancer genetics and risk management in patients with hereditary disease, therefore they are an important part for our genomic test and will help counsel patients with positive results in their blood line.
Dr. Bartha Knoppers
Dr. Bartha KnoppersHuman Genetics
McGill University
Her team oversees the ethical, social and policy aspects of the DOvEEgene test so that it can smoothly be transitioned to a widely available screening test
Dr. Guy Rouleau
Dr. Guy RouleauChief of the Laboratory Division of the Molecular Diagnostics-OPTILAB Montreal MUHC.
His team will oversee the transfer of the test analysis to the MUHC and ensure it is at the level of a clinical grade test.
0
Years of Research & Development
0
Specialized Teams Involved
0+
Samples Analyzed

The History

The development of the DOvEEgene test started in 2008. The study at this time was called DOvE: Diagnosing Ovarian cancers Early. The team was trying to see if rapid access to the currently available test of ovarian cancer would be able to detect ovarian cancers in earlier stages . The individuals participating in this study presented with vague symptoms of ovarian cancer and had the tests done. As the project progressed, we noticed that we were also able to detect endometrial cancers, therefore the name was changed to DOvEE: Diagnosis Ovarian and Endometrial cancers Early.

In 2012, the results of this study were published. They showed that fast-tracked access to this screening test for symptomatic Canadians resulted in lower tumor burden compared to those who did not have access . However, the cancers were still mainly diagnosed in stage III when there was disease located outside of the primary organ. As the goal is the catch these cancers while they are in stage I/II and have a much better prognosis, the team began to look in a different direction.

In 2014, we started the DOvEEgene study which stands for Detecting Ovarian and Endometrial cancers early using genomics. By using genomics, we are able to look at the very beginning of these cancers since the cancers start with uncontrolled changes in DNA (genes). All participating in this study were scheduled to have an operation to remove their uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries for suspected cancer or for benign gynecological disease. Using these samples, we were able to come up with the DOvEEgene test, which is able to detect 70% of cancers of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and endometrium with 100% accuracy. The test is now ready to move into its next phase and be used in asymptomatic individuals as a screening test to change the statistics for ovarian and endometrial cancers for the better.

Learn About Your Eligibility for the Test