Uterine washing biomarkers as a novel screening tool for high-grade serous carcinoma

Noninvasive ovarian cancer biomarker detection via an optical nanosensor implant

“…S1, B and C). This detection limit is within the range found in ovarian cancer patient serum and ascites (14,33) of approximately 10 nM and in uterine washings, where median values are 23-fold higher than serum values (~230 nM) (15,16).…”

“…The stratification of patients to determine who may be good candidates will be important for the successful translation of this technology. Current evidence shows up to 23-fold greater uterine cavity concentrations of HE4 compared to serum concentrations and that these levels are associated with disease status ( 15 , 16 ). Although this portends early-stage disease screening, additional studies are warranted to modify and assess the technology described here for use in a clinical context.…”

“…Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is one of two U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved serum biomarkers for ovarian cancer, along with CA-125, and is involved in ovarian tumorigenesis (10). This protein is overexpressed by malignant epithelial cells (11) and is found in increased levels in patient serum (12,13), ascites (14), and uterine fluid (15,16). Serum-based HE4 provides similar sensitivity and specificity for ovarian cancer diagnosis as CA-125, although it may be more useful in differentiating benign from malignant disease (12).…”

“…Like CA-125, data do not show that serum-based screening for HE4 improves overall patient survival. However, uterine cavity concentrations of these markers are greater (23-fold greater median values for HE4) than serum concentrations and may therefore present a route for more sensitive ovarian cancer detection than serum-based measurements (15,16).…”

A high-performance microfluidic detection platform to conduct a novel multiple-biomarker panel for ovarian cancer screening

“…CA125 and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) are the two U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved serum biomarkers for ovarian cancer, and HE4 plays an important role in ovarian tumorigenesis. 3 The HE4 protein is found in elevated levels in patient serum, 4,5 uterine fluid, 6 and ascites. 7 Investigation illustrates that in addition to CA125 and HE4, the expression levels of OPN, 8 mesothelin (MSLN), 9,10 Hsp70, 11 and AFP 12 are related to ovarian tumorigenesis.…”