A fast-tracked paper on a possible new ovarian cancer screening tool by Lance Liotta , M.D., Ph.D., National Cancer Institute (NCI), and Emanuel Petricoin, M.D., Food and Drug Administration (FDA), appeared electronically in The Lancet on February 7, 2002. BenchMarks interviewed the scientists about this new tool, which employs a technique called proteomics. The researchers talk about the tool, how it was developed, and its potential applicability to screening and treatment for ovarian and other cancers.

Proteomics - the study of the proteins inside cells - has made its way into cancer trials. New technologies that allow researchers to visualize thousands of proteins at the same time can reveal patterns that may have important clinical implications.