Abstract
The
aim of this study was to investigate the role of biomarkers CA125, HE4,
and CA72.4 at diagnosis and throughout the follow-up in patients with
epithelial ovarian cancer
(EOC). Thirty-nine patients with EOC were deemed eligible, and 20 were
followed up. CA125, HE4, and CA72.4 serum levels were determined for all
patients at initial diagnosis of EOC. Among these patients, the number
of cases with an elevated level of each individual marker was CA125
77 %, HE4 85 %, and CA72.4 72 %. A statistically significant difference
was observed between the level of HE4 when compared to CA72.4
(p < 0.02). In the follow-up phase, we observed tumor marker levels
fluctuating according to response to chemotherapy. When combining two
out of the three biomarkers together, we observed increased values of
CA125 and CA72.4 in 55 % of the patients, increased values of CA125 and
HE4 in 65 % of the patients, and finally increased HE4 and CA72.4 in
75 % of the patients. A statistically significant difference was
observed when combining HE4 and CA72.4, but not CA125 and CA 72.4
(p < 0.002). In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the
association of three biomarkers CA125, HE4, and CA72.4 provides a
valuable contribution in the follow-up of EOC patients.
