Cancer poses a significant global threat to life expectancy, and within this context, ovarian cancer ranks as the eighth most prevalent cancer among

women and the eighteenth overall. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that ovarian cancer stands as the second most common gynaecological cancer in India, underscoring the urgency of addressing its impact on public health. Despite increased awareness, progress in achieving curative and survival outcomes has been impeded, primarily due to the intricate challenges associated with early detection.

The absence of a definitive screening tool, coupled with the manifestation of vague symptoms that often mimic nonmalignant conditions, further complicates the timely identification of ovarian cancer cases. Conventional screening methods, including Ultrasound, Trans-Vaginal Sonography (TVS), CT scans, and the serum bio-marker CA125, while in use, exhibit limitations in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. CA125, the sole serum-based bio-marker test for ovarian cancer, has undergone a shift in its clinical application. Instead of serving as the primary bio-marker for diagnosing ovarian cancer, it is now predominantly employed as a follow-up marker. Recognising this pressing need, the quest for an early, non-invasive, and affordable diagnostic system for ovarian cancer is paramount.

In a recent study at the Cancer Institute in Adyar, researchers identified potential epithelial ovarian bio-markers in patient plasma samples using a customised quantibody array of 21 proteins and Enzyme-Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (ELISA). The resulting Epithelial Ovarian Cancer diagnosis model, combining five markers, demonstrated U0.24% sensitivity and U4.87% specificity. The primary objective of this study is to investigate a combination of up-

regulated and down-regulated bio-markers including Cancer Antigen 125, Adipsin and Insulin Growth factor binding protein 2, aiming to construct a bio-marker panel conducive to the early detection of epithelial ovarian cancer. This endeavor involves the molecular characterization of computationally designed single- chain antibody fragments, produced in-house using E. coli for detection purposes. The anticipated outcome is an enhancement in sensitivity and specificity, potentially providing a more effective approach to the early diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer.