[HE4 and CA125 in ovarian cancer]

Ovarian cancer is forth reason that causes mortality in women all over the world. In Europe the death is 3.6 up to 9.3 in 100000 women. HE4 is a newly, more specific diagnostic marker for ovarian cancer. Human epididimis protein 4 (HE4) belongs to a group with four disulfide core proteins. It is first identified in the epithelium of distal epididimis and thought to be a protease inhibitor that took part in sperm maturation. HE4 is expressed from ovarian cancer cells.

Measurement of HE4 is uncompetitive immunoassay, based on direct sandwich technique. It uses monoclonal antibodies, against specific molecule epitopes, coated onto the microstrips. After the incubation, enzyme-linked monoclonal antibodies are added; a substrate reagent solution leads to a color reaction, which intensity is proportionate to the amount of HE4 present in the samples.

For a 12 months period we measure 50 patients doubt about ovarian cancer (with formation in pelvis). We include a control group from 50 patients with no ultrasonographic or laboratory evidences of ovarian cancer. The age was between 25 and 60. The middle age for patients with carcinoma was higher compared to those without tumor process (respectively 51.1 to 46.7; p = 0.018). From the group with doubt for an ovarian cancer 40 cases were with EOC, 9 with benignant tumors (ovarian cysts), 1 with no deviation from the normal ovarian tissue. From the patients with EOC--32 cases were with serous tumor, 7 with mucinous, 1 were undifferentiated.

HE4 is more specific marker to be used for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. It's frequently using will decrease mortality of this social disease.