Lab equipment used in ovarian cancer research

ROCkeTS: A study looking at improving tests for ovarian cancer

Trial at a glance

Closed trial

  • Cancer type: Suspected ovarian cancer
  • Treatment stage: Prevention or diagnosis
  • Acronym: ROCkeTS

ROCkeTS: Refining ovarian cancer test accuracy scores – a phase III diagnostic test accuracy study

Who can take part

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.


The study is split into two parts, the main study and the Rockets Gen study.

You may be able to take part in this clinical trial if you have:

  • symptoms of suspected ovarian cancer and also have either a raised CA125 test result and/or an abnormal ultrasound imaging result and have not been through the menopause (main study) OR
  • an ovarian cyst or a blood test indicating raised levels of CA125 in your blood and you have been through the menopause (rockets gen)

This is not an exhaustive list. If you're interested in participating in a clinical trial, you should speak to your doctor about what other criteria might apply.

About the trial

The aims of the trial are to:

  • help diagnose ovarian cancer earlier when treatment is likely to work better
  • help identify which women need further investigations for possible ovarian cancer and reduce unnecessary tests, hospital visits and distress in women who do not have ovarian cancer
  • try to develop a blood test that is more specific and sensitive than the CA125 blood tests (ROCKET GENS)

The researchers hope that the information they collect will help to improve diagnosis for women with ovarian cancer in the future.

If you take part in this study, you'll need to:

  • fill in a questionnaire about your symptoms.
  • give a blood sample.
  • have a transvaginal and an abdominal (tummy) ultrasound scan (optional in the ROCKETS GEN STUDY) – you would most likely have these scans as part of your usual care.
  • donate samples of tissue taken at the time of surgery (if having surgery).
  • be contacted/seen by the trials team 12 months after entering the study to collect information on how you're doing (only if you don't have surgery).