The plasma concentration of VEGF, HE4 and CA125 as a new biomarkers panel in different stages and sub-types of epithelial ovarian tumors

Abstract

BackgroundVEGF may play a role in the pathogenesis of cancer disease, for example in cell growth, proliferation and angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated plasma levels of this cytokine in comparison to plasma levels of a new biomarker - HE4 and the established tumor marker CA125 in ovarian cancer patients (100) as compared to control groups: patients with a benign ovarian tumor (80) and healthy subjects (50).MethodsPlasma levels of VEGF were determined by ELISA, HE4 and CA125 by CMIA method.ResultsThe results showed that levels of VEGF, CA125 and HE4 were significantly higher in ovarian cancer (OC) patients as compared to the both control groups. VEGF has demonstrated as high as comparative markers values of the diagnostic sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), the predictive values of positive and negative test results (PV-PR, PV-NR), and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) in early stages of cancer tested groups. The combined use of parameters studied resulted in the increase in the diagnostic criteria values and the AUC.ConclusionsThese findings suggest the usefulness of VEGF in the early diagnostics of ovarian cancer, especially in combination with CA125 and HE4, as a new biomarkers panel. Additionally, VEGF is the most useful tool in the diagnostics of locally advanced ovarian cancer without metastases. Investigated cytokine presented similar to HE4 usefulness in differentiation of OC according to its histopathlogical sub-type, and could be used especially in the diagnostics of endometrioid epithelial OC.

Utility of HE4 to identify patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer who may require lymphadenectomy

“…HE4 has been shown to be of superior performance in early stages, as compared to the present gold standard CA125 [10,11]. Recent studies suggest that HE4 also possesses a potential value as a biomarker in endometrial cancer.…”

The Clearance of Serum Human Epididymis Protein 4 Following Primary Cytoreductive Surgery for Ovarian Carcinoma

“…The preoperative HE4 levels were similar to those reported by others. 31 A serum HE4 value of 70 pmol/L is a recommended cutoff for the triaging of ovarian tumors into likely benign and malignant categories. 23 Seven of 10 patients had preoperative serum HE4 of greater than 70 pmol/L.…”

G-quadruplex DNAzyme-based electrochemiluminescence biosensing strategy for VEGF165 detection: Combination of aptamer–target recognition and T7 exonuclease-assisted cycling signal amplification

“…The over-expression of VEGF is a possible predictor of cancers (Keyes et al, 2004;Granato et al, 2004;Enjoji et al, 2005;Ławicki et al, 2013;Dalaveris et al, 2009;Slaton et al, 2001;Hyodo et al, 1998;Takiuchi et al, 2000). For example, patients with breast, ovarian, and lung cancer contains higher levels of VEGF than healthy individuals (Granato et al, 2004;Enjoji et al, 2005;Ławicki et al, 2013;Dalaveris et al, 2009). VEGF level also significantly differs in different stages of ovarian cancer (Ławicki et al, 2013).…”

“…Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a signal protein produced by cells, stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis (Yancopoulos et al, 2000;Ferrara et al, 2003;Ferrara et al, 2004;Harris et al, 2002). The over-expression of VEGF is a possible predictor of cancers (Keyes et al, 2004;Granato et al, 2004;Enjoji et al, 2005;Ławicki et al, 2013;Dalaveris et al, 2009;Slaton et al, 2001;Hyodo et al, 1998;Takiuchi et al, 2000). For example, patients with breast, ovarian, and lung cancer contains higher levels of VEGF than healthy individuals (Granato et al, 2004;Enjoji et al, 2005;Ławicki et al, 2013;Dalaveris et al, 2009).…”