Ella Ittner: The many sides of ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is not a single disease but a collection of distinct subtypes, each requiring its own tools for diagnosis and prognosis. In her doctoral thesis, Ella Ittner highlights the need for more individualized approaches to treating ovarian cancer.
ELLA ITTNER
Dissertation defense: 19 December 2025 (click for details)
Doctoral thesis: Exploration of biomarker candidates in epithelial ovarian cancer with special reference to the prognostic role of LMTK3
Research area: Oncology
Sahlgrenska Academy, The Institute of Clinical Sciences
Ovarian cancer originates from cells in and around the ovaries. It is divided into two main groups: the most common form develops on the surface of the ovary, in the fallopian tube, or on the peritoneum (epithelial cancer), while the other form arises from the inside of the ovary (non-epithelial cancer).
“My research is preclinical and focuses on potential biomarkers that could improve diagnosis and prognosis for patients with epithelial ovarian cancer,” says Ella Ittner, a molecular biologist from Germany.
She conducts full-time research at the Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research (SCCR) and is a doctoral student at the Institute of Clinical Sciences.
Ovarian cancer lacks measurable biological clues
Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and still lacks reliable biomarkers – measurable biological signals that could help detect the disease or predict how it may develop.
“Within epithelial ovarian cancer, several subtypes exist, but one of them (HGSC) is so common that most research focuses primarily on it. This means that other subtypes remain less explored, which complicates the development of tailored diagnostic approaches. Our work aims to identify potential biomarkers for all subtypes so we can better understand their unique features.”
Not one disease, but many subtypes
Ella Ittner’s work shows that epithelial ovarian cancer is not a single disease, but a group of different subtypes that behave differently and need their own tools for diagnosis and prognosis.
“By analyzing gene expression, that is, when genes are active, we identified biomarkers specific to the different subtypes of ovarian cancer. This can help clinicians distinguish between the subtypes and better understand how the disease develops.”
The team also found that the protein LMTK3 may help predict disease progression, especially in early-stage cancer.
“Together, the results underscore the need for more individualized approaches in the treatment of ovarian cancer.”
"Making a difference feels deeply meaningful"
What has been most rewarding and most challenging in your doctoral project?
“Cancer affects so many families, so working in a field where the research could one day make a difference feels very meaningful. I’ve also enjoyed picking up completely new skills, especially coding - and finally getting my first big analysis to run felt like a real victory. The biggest challenge was learning to work very independently in our group - but it pushed me to grow a lot as a researcher.”
Text: Susanne Lj Westergren
1. Ovarian cancer: There are several forms of cancer that arise from cells in and around the ovaries, which are collectively called ovarian cancer, for example, fallopian tube cancer and peritoneal cancer are also usually included in this group.
Source and more about ovarian cancer at this link to - Sahlgrenska.se in Swedish
2. Biomarkers: are measurable biological clues that can help detect a disease or predict how it may develop.
3. Gene expression: More about gene expression and epigenetics at this link to - the genetics committee website in Swedish.
Ella Ittner works in: Group Khalil Helou at the Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research (SCCR)