Studies on the value of human epididymis protein 4 in patients with ovarian cancer

Abstract

Objective To evaluate serum human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) as a biomarker for ovarian cancer. Methods HE4 was determined by ELISA in ovarian cancer patients ( n = 82 ) , benign ovarian disease patients ( n = 26 ) and healthy controls ( n = 40) . Results The level of HE4 was significantly higher in ovarian cancer group(46. 6 pmol/L) than that in benign ovarian disease group(31. 5 pmol/L) and healthy control group(24.0 pmol/L) in premenopausal women ( U = 95. 5 and 100.0, P 3. 5% for premenopausal women and > 12. 5% for postmenopausal women. With the progression of ovarian carcinoma, the levels of HE4 as well as the sensitivity were increased. HE4 concentrations were higher in patients with lymph node metastasis than those without metastasis ( U = 34. 0 and 77. 0 in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, P < 0. 01 , respectively). Changes of HE4 concentrations were correlated with tumor response. Elevated levels of HE4 were found in recurrent disease patient, and the levels were decreased while the patients were sensitive to therapy. Conclusion HE4 determination is helpful in the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer. Key words: Epididymis secretory protein; Tumor markers; biological; Ovarian neoplasms