Still waiting for the world to catch up - Ignace Vergote - Cancer World - including comments on CA-125/biomarkers

"When Ignace Vergote opted to specialise in gynaecological oncology, his country wasn't ready, and he's been waiting for the world to catch up with him ever since....."

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"....The problem is well illustrated by Vergote’s own experience. When asked about the research he is most proud of, Vergote points to an academic study published a year ago in the New England Journal of Medicine, which was independently funded and has already had a global impact. Sponsored by the EORTC, it analysed outcomes in advanced ovarian cancer surgery according to whether the debulking surgery was timed before or during chemotherapy.

“I was very proud of this. But it took us ten years. We had to randomise 720 patients and, because it wasn’t sponsored, people had to be very committed and give their time for free – talking to patients, gaining informed consent, all these things without financial support. It’s very difficult. So I am proud of that.”...

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" He believes that more accurate tumour markers than CA125 need to be found – and his department is working on this problem.

“In 20 years, I think that maybe we will have a marker that will be more specific and good enough for screening. But I think it’s still too early to conclude that we have found it.” "