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The new, Oxford-developed method for subtyping ovarian cancer has been validated in a recent collaboration between the University of Oxford and Imperial College London. Dubbed the ‘Oxford Classic’, researchers have demonstrated that it enables the accurate prediction of patient disease outcome, as well as the development of new targeted cancer therapies.

Micrograph of a serous papillary carcinoma (adenocarcinoma) of ovary, with intricately branching papillae

Researchers have discovered and identified sub-types of ovarian cancer cells, which can then be used to accurately identify which ovarian cancer subtypes are likely to lead to more severe cancer outcomes – an approach which has been dubbed the ‘Oxford Classification of Carcinoma of the Ovary’ or ‘Oxford Classic’ for short.

The Oxford Classic, which was developed in Oxford last year, will provide much more accurate predictions for disease outcome in patients, as well as helping researchers to develop targeted therapies for each type of cancer. A study published today in Clinical Cancer Research, has demonstrated its powerful prognostic usage in a new independent set of samples from a group of ovarian cancer patients.

The full story is available on the University of Oxford website

The story is also featured in a blog on the Cancer Research UK Oxford Centre website