Research project Through LIONESS, we aim to develop a test capable of detecting ovarian cancer at a very early stage. By combining at-home self-sampling with advanced analytical methods, we seek to create an approach that is both reliable and easy to use over time. The goal is to investigate whether the method can detect cancer before symptoms appear. In the long term, this could contribute to earlier diagnosis, improved survival, and more informed clinical decision-making.
LIONESS is a research project aimed at developing new methods for the early detection of ovarian cancer in women with an inherited increased risk. Participants collect blood and vaginal samples at home several times a year. By monitoring changes over time, we aim to identify very early signs of cancer, before symptoms appear. The goal is to develop a reliable test that could contribute to earlier diagnosis, improved survival, and less invasive treatment. The study is being designed in close collaboration with patients and patient representatives.
Erika Figaro, Region Västerbotten, Project coordinator
K Sundfeldt: Expertise in ovarian cancer biomarker research, including proteomics, cell-free DNA and glycovariants; responsible for glycovariant biomarker analyses and contributes to overall biomarker strategy. Prof., Sen. Consultant, ObGyn. Göteborgs universitet
S Enroth: Expertise in proteomics and bioinformatics; responsible for proteomic analyses, computational data integration, and development of the multimodal early detection model. Assoc. Prof. Computational Genomics, PhD Bioinformatics. Uppsala University.
I Hedenfalk: Expertise in genomic analyses; responsible for shallow Whole Genome Sequencing analyses of cervical and vaginal samples and interpretation of genomic data. Prof. Experimental Oncology. Lund University.
T Alkasalias: Expertise in DNA methylation; responsible for methylation analyses and integration into the multimodal early detection model. Assoc. Prof., PhD Medicine, MSc Molecular Physiology. KI
A Öfverholm: Expertise in clinical genetics and qualitative methods; responsible for the qualitative substudy and contributes to interpretation in a hereditary risk context. PhD, Sen. Consultant, Clinical Genetics/Genomics. Göteborg University.
A Flöter Rådestad: Expertise in hereditary ovarian cancer, surveillance, risk-reducing surgery and gynaecological tumour surgery; contributes to clinical recruitment, information dissemination, and national coordination. Assoc. Prof., Sen. Consultant, ObGyn and Gynaeoncology, hereditary OC lead Stockholm. KI
B Jonsdottir: Expertise in gynaecological tumour surgery and hereditary gynaecological cancer; contributes to clinical expertise and regional coordination. MD, PhD, Senior Consultant, ObGyn. Uppsala universitet
L Martin de la Fuente: Expertise in gynaecological oncology and clinical genomics; contributes to interpretation of genomic data in a clinical context and regional coordination. MD, PhD, Consultant gynecological oncology. Lund University.
B Sjölander: Expertise in patient advocacy; provides patient perspective and supports implementation and dissemination. Patient representative. Nätverket mot gynekologisk cancer
A Andersson: Expertise in patient advocacy and guideline work; contributes patient perspective and supports implementation and dissemination. Patient representative. Nätverket mot gynekologisk cancer
