Progesterone increases serum CA-125 in endometriosis

Area of Science:

• Reproductive endocrinology
• Gynecological diagnostics

Background:

• Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is a biomarker often elevated in endometriosis.
• The effect of progesterone-in-oil (P-in-oil) injections on CA-125 levels in endometriosis patients is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dynamic changes in serum CA-125 levels following P-in-oil injection in women with and without endometriosis.

Main Methods:

• Serum CA-125 levels were measured up to 48 hours post-injection of 125 mg P-in-oil.
• Patients were in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle.
• Participants included women with and without endometriosis.

Main Results:

• In patients without endometriosis, CA-125 levels remained stable around 5 U/ml.
• Patients with endometriosis showed a significant CA-125 elevation, peaking at 30 hours post-injection (from 19.6 U/ml to 30.0 U/ml, P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Progesterone-in-oil injection can transiently elevate serum CA-125 levels in women with endometriosis.
• This elevation suggests a potential diagnostic utility of CA-125 monitoring after P-in-oil administration in endometriosis evaluation.