Prediction of a high-risk group based on postoperative nadir CA-125 levels in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Objective

We aimed to determine the ideal cut-off of nadir serum CA-125 level for prediction of progression free survival.

Methods

Among 267 patients who achieved complete remission after chemotherapy, the correlation between nadir CA-125 and progression free survival were compared among the subgroups classified according to the distribution of CA-125. The diagnostic odds ratio and area under the receiver operator characteristics curve were compared at various cut-off points.

Results

The nadir CA-125 levels did not have prognostic value under 12 U/mL (to 75 percentile). In contrast, they were significantly correlated with progression free survival only when the CA-125 level was greater than 12, which was 75 percentile (p=0.034). In predicting progression free survival <6 and 12 months, the cut-off value of 18 (90 percentile) showed superior diagnostic performance over 10 or 12 U/mL. Compared with patients who showed nadir levels between 0 and 12 U/mL (0 to 75 percentile), those with nadir >18 U/mL showed a hazard ratio of 2.85 (95% confidence interval, 1.70 to 4.76; p<0.001); patients with nadir levels between 18 and 12 U/mL showed a the hazard ratio of 1.68 (95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 2.56; p=0.015) compared with those whose nadir levels were under 12 U/mL.

Conclusion

The predictive power of the traditional cut-off of 10 U/mL to classify a risk group or to identify high risk patients was unsatisfactory. The optimal diagnostic performance was observed at the cut-off of 18 U/mL and this can be proposed to dichotomize cut-off values to predict outcomes among individual patients.     

A longitudinal analysis with CA-125 to predict overall survival in patients with ovarian cancer

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore the association of longitudinal CA-125 measurements with overall survival (OS) time by developing a flexible model for patient-specific CA-125 profiles, and to provide a simple and reliable prediction of OS.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed on 275 patients with ovarian cancer who underwent at least one cycle of primary chemotherapy in our institute. Serial measurements of patients'' CA-125 levels were performed at different frequencies according to their clinical plans. A statistical model coupling the Cox proportional hazards and the mixed-effects models was applied to determine the association of OS with patient-specific longitudinal CA-125 values. Stage and residual tumor size were additional variables included in the analysis.

Results

A total of 1,601 values of CA-125 were included. Longitudinal CA-125 levels, stage, and the residual tumor size were all significantly associated with OS. A patient-specific survival probability could be calculated. Validation showed that, in average, 85.4% patients were correctly predicted to have a high or low risk of death at a given time point. Comparison with a traditional model using CA-125 half-life and time to reach CA-125 nadir showed that the longitudinal CA-125 model had an improved predicative value.

Conclusion

Longitudinal CA-125 values, measured from the diagnosis of ovarian cancer to the completion of primary chemotherapy, could be used to reliably predict OS after adjusting for the stage and residual tumor disease. This model could be potentially useful in clinical counseling of patients with ovarian cancer.     

Evaluation of ovarian cancer biomarkers HE4 and CA-125 in women presenting with a suspicious cystic ovarian mass

Objective

Women presenting with a large or complex ovarian cyst are referred to extensive surgical staging to ensure the correct diagnosis and treatment of a possible epithelial ovarian cancer. We hypothesized that measurement of the biomarkers HE4 and CA-125 preoperatively would improve the assignment of these patients to the correct level of care.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with a cystic ovarian mass and scheduled for an operation at our center of excellence for ovarian cancer surgery from 2001 to 2010 were prospectively included (n=394) and plasma was collected consecutively. Cut-off for HE4 was calculated at 75% specificity (85 pM and 71.8 pM for post and premenopausal women). For CA-125, 35 U/mL cut-off was used. The study population included women with malignant (n=114), borderline (n=45), and benign (n=215) ovarian tumors.

Results

Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) in the benign versus malignant cohorts was 86.8% for CA-125 and 84.4% for HE4. Negative predictive value was 91.7% when at least one of the biomarkers was positive, with only early stage epithelial ovarian cancer showing false negative results. Sensitivity at set specificity (75%) was 87% for risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) in the postmenopausal cohort (cut-off point, 26.0%) and 81% in the premenopausal cohort (cut-off point, 17.3%). ROC AUC in the benign versus stage I epithelial ovarian cancer was only 72% for HE4 and 76% for CA-125.

Conclusion

In our study, population HE4 did not outperform CA-125. Based on our data a prospective trial with patients already diagnosed with an ovarian cyst may be conducted.     

Pattern of Tissue Expression of CA-125 and HE4 in Primary Epithelial Ovarian Tumours and Correlation with Serum CA-125 Levels

The objective of this study is to assess tissue expression of CA-125 and HE4 protein in primary benign andmalignant epithelial tumours of the ovary and correlate with serum CA-125 levels. A total of 100 formalin-fixed,paraffin embedded sections of ovarian tumours which included serous adenoma (11), mucinous adenoma (42),serous carcinoma (20), mucinous carcinoma (12) and endometrioid carcinoma (15), histologically diagnosedbetween 1st January 2004 to 31st December 2012 at the University Malaya Medical Centre, were stained for HE4(rabbit polyclonal antibody, Abcam, UK) and CA-125 (mouse monoclonal antibody clone: OC125, Cell MarqueCorporation, Rocklin, California, USA). Pre-operative serum CA-125 levels were obtained from the laboratoryinformation system. Immunoscore (I score) for HE4 and CA-125 was given based on the intensity of staining andpercentage of positive tumour cells and considered significant when it was >50 (intensity of staining multiplied bypercentage of positive tumour cells). Serum CA-125 levels were compared with the I score of HE4 and CA-125in tissues. We noted that the CA-125 levels in serum and tissues were significantly raised in malignant comparedto benign ovarian tumours (p value<0.05). Tissue expression of HE4 protein was also significantly raised inmalignant tumours compared to benign tumours (p value<0.05). We conclude that HE4 can be a useful tissueimmunomarker in addition to CA-125.     

Pattern of recurrence after interval cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in primary advanced stage IIIC/IVA epithelial ovarian cancer

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the patterns of recurrence and factors affecting the same after interval cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in primary stage IIIC and IV A epithelial ovarian cancer.MethodsIn this retrospective multicentric study, all patients with FIGO stages III-C and IV-A epithelial ovarian carcinoma were treated with CRS and HIPEC after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Relevant clinical and demographic data were captured. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the factors affecting recurrence after CRS and HIPEC.ResultsFrom January 2017 to Jan 2020, 97, consecutive patients of Stage IIIC/IVA epithelial ovarian cancer underwent interval cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The median duration of follow up duration was 20 months [1–36months]. 21/97 (21.6%) patients presented with disease recurrence. Visceral recurrences involving the lungs, liver and brain were seen in 8/21 (38%) of cases and comprised the commonest sites. On multivariable analysis, nodal involvement (p = 0.05), selective peritonectomy (p = 0.001) and leaving behind residual disease <0.25 mm (CC1) (p = 0.01) was associated with increased risk of disease recurrence. Extent of peritonectomy (OS,p = 0.56, PFS p = 0.047, Log Rank test) and nodal positivity (OS, p = 0.13,PFS,p = 0.057, Log Rank test) were found to impact progression free survival but had no impact on overall survival.ConclusionThere is a higher incidence of systemic recurrences in patients with Stage IIIC/IVA epithelial ovarian carcinoma after CRS and HIPEC. Extent of peritonectomy and nodal clearance impacts patterns of recurrence and progression free survival.     

血清ＣＡ１２５水平监测在卵巢癌肿瘤细胞减灭术中的应用价值

目的　探讨血清ＣＡ１２５水平监测在卵巢癌肿瘤细胞减灭术中的应用价值。方法　采用微粒子捕捉免疫发光技术（ＭＥＩＡ）测定７５例卵巢上皮癌患者治疗前、每１周期化疗结束后３周及手术前血清中ＣＡ１２５浓度。计算第１周期化疗后血清ＣＡ１２５下降率。分析术前血清ＣＡ１２５水平及新辅助化疗第１周期化疗后血清ＣＡ１２５下降率与肿瘤细胞减灭术成功率的关系;分析初始血清ＣＡ１２５水平与盆腔淋巴结转移的关系。结果　７５例卵巢上皮癌患者中ＣＡ１２５＞３５Ｕ／ｍｌ者７２例。５６例行新辅助化疗后患者第１周期化疗后血清ＣＡ１２５下降率≥５０％组与＜５０％组理想肿瘤细胞减灭术成功率无差异（Ｐ＝０.１８７）;新辅助化疗后患者术前血清ＣＡ１２５≤２００Ｕ／ｍｌ组与＞２００Ｕ／ｍｌ组理想肿瘤细胞减灭术成功率无差异（Ｐ＝０.０８４）;初诊时血清ＣＡ１２５＞８００Ｕ／ｍｌ组盆腔淋巴结阳性率高于≤８００Ｕ／ｍｌ组（Ｐ＝０.０２６）。结论　初诊时血清ＣＡ１２５＞８００Ｕ／ｍｌ组盆腔淋巴结阳性率高,可以作为选择淋巴结清扫术的参考指标。术前ＣＡ１２５水平及新辅助化疗后患者第１周期化疗后血清ＣＡ１２５下降率对选择卵巢癌肿瘤细胞减灭术的时机无指导意义。     

中医药治疗肺癌对患者血清CA-125的影响

背景与目的:CA-125已经是公认的卵巢癌标志物,在长期的临床观察中发现血清CA-125在肺癌诊治中具有一定的诊断及判定预后的价值.本研究探讨中医药治疗术后与不能切除肿瘤的肺癌患者时对血清CA-125的影响;同时探讨血清CA-125与肺癌临床分期及病理学类型相关性.方法:用微粒学酶免分析法检测30例健康人及60例肺癌患者中医综合治疗方案治疗前后血清CA-125水平,并作对比分析.结果:血清CA-125在肺癌患者的值(91±45)与健康人(18±5)相比,差异有非常显著性,(P＜0.001),血清CA-125在ⅢA/ⅢB及Ⅳ期肺癌患者中值分别为85±21及142±25,与Ⅰ/Ⅱ期患者的35±11相比,差异有非常显著性(P＜0.001)肺腺癌患者CA-125水平(127±31)与鳞癌(58±27)及小细胞癌(56±26)相比,差异有非常显著性(P＜0.001).ⅢA/ⅢB及Ⅳ期肺癌患者中医药综合治疗方案治疗后CA-125值分别为(36±11;87±15)于治疗前(85±21;142±25)相比,差异有非常显著性.(P＜0.001).但对于Ⅰ/Ⅱ期患者治疗后(33±10)与治疗前(35±11)相比,差异无显著性(P＞0.05).结论:中医药治疗肺癌,在Ⅲ/Ⅳ期的肺癌患者可显著的降低血清CA-125水平,在Ⅰ/Ⅱ期的肺癌患者也有明显的降低血清CA-125水平的趋势.血清CA-125水平与肺癌患者临床分期、病理类型有关.     

Maximal cytoreductive effort in epithelial ovarian cancer surgery

The surgical management of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer involves cytoreduction, or removal of grossly-evident tumor. Residual disease after surgical cytoreduction of ovarian cancer has been shown to be strongly associated with survival. The goal of surgery is "optimal" surgical cytoreduction, which is generally defined as residual disease of 1 cm or less. However, the designation of "optimal" surgical cytoreduction has evolved to include maximal surgical effort and no gross residual disease. In order to achieve this, more aggressive surgical procedures such as rectosigmoidectomy, diaphragm peritonectomy, partial liver resection, and video-assisted thoracic surgery are reported and increasingly utilized in the surgical management of advanced ovarian cancer. The role of maximal surgical effort also extends to the recurrent setting where the goal of surgery should be complete cytoreduction. Patient selection is important in identifying appropriate candidates for surgical cytoreduction in the recurrent setting. The purpose of this article is to review the role of maximum surgical effort in primary and recurrent ovarian cancer.     

Level and Evaluation of Tumor Marker CA-125 in Ovarian Cancer Patients in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan

Background: Due to the increase in morbidity and mortality rate, cancer has become an alarming threatto the human population worldwide. Since cancer is a progressive disorder, timely diagnosis is necessary toprevent/stop cancer from progressing to a severe stage. In Khyber Paktunkhwa, Pakistan, many tumors arediagnosed with endoscopy and biopsy; rare studies exist regarding the diagnosis and evaluation of ovariancancer, based on tumor markers like CA-125. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate andevaluate levels of CA-125 in hospitalized ovarian cancer patients. Materials and Methods: In this study, a totalof 63 admitted patients having ovarian cancer by biopsy were included. The level of CA-125 was determinedin the blood of these patients using ELISA technique. Results: Out of 63 patients, the level of CA-125 was highin 52% . The affected individuals were more in the group of 40-60 and the level of CA-125 was comparativelyhigher in patients having moderately differentiated histology than those having well differentiated and poorlydifferentiated tumor histology. Moreover, the highest level of CA-125 was present among the patients havingserous subtype of carcinoma and the common stage of carcinoma was stage II followed by stage III, I and IV.Conclusions: CA-125 level was high in more than 50% of the total patients. Moreover, CA-125 elevation wasmore common in serous subtype and stage II cancer patients.     

The role of serum CA-125 levels in early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer on preoperative CT and MRI

Background

We sought to identify the role of serum CA-125 levels in early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) on preoperative CT and MRI.

Methods

Clinical data of 101 patients with early-stage EOC on preoperative CT and MRI were collected between January 2000 and December 2007. Clinical stage I (n = 59) was defined as tumor limited to the ovaries with or without ascites, whereas clinical stage II (n = 42) was defined as tumor within the pelvis with or without ascites. The primary endpoint was to investigate the efficacy of serum CA-125 levels for the prediction of advanced-stage disease, and secondary endpoints were to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative CT and MRI, and to examine the role of serum CA-125 levels as a prognostic factor for survival.

Results

The results of preoperative CT and MRI were concordant with no peritoneal implants outside the pelvis in 50/101 (50%) and no lymph node metastasis in 71/101 (70%) patients. The receiver operating characteristic curves showed that best cut-off values of serum CA-125 levels were 320 U/ml (71% sensitivity, 84% specificity) and 510 U/ml (67% sensitivity, 80% specificity) for the prediction of peritoneal implants outside the pelvis and lymph node metastasis. The serum CA-125 level (≥320 U/ml) was a significant factor for the prediction of advanced-stage disease (adjusted OR, 7.43; 95% CI, 2.39–23.04). However, it was not an independent prognostic factor for survival.

Conclusions

Serum CA-125 levels may be very useful for the prediction of advanced-stage disease in early-stage EOC on preoperative CT and MRI.     

Nadir CA-125 concentration in the normal range as an independent prognostic factor for optimally treated advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: The amount of residual disease after surgery is considered the most important factor influencing the survival of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (adEOC). In optimally treated patients with adEOC, there are no well-established prognostic factors [excluding International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage]. The aim of this retrospective study is to analyze the prognostic value of the CA-125 nadir after the completion of an optimal primary treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients treated for adEOC were identified from January 1998 to December 2006. Inclusion criteria: elevated CA-125 at time of diagnosis (>35 kU/l); FIGO stage III-IV treated with optimal primary treatment (residual tumor <1 cm and carboplatin/taxane-based combination chemotherapy); and complete response to optimal primary treatment with normalization of CA-125. RESULTS: Patients, n = 96: 44 group A (< or =10 kU/l); 52 group B (11-35 kU/l). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 42 and 20 months for groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.0087). Median overall survival (OS) was 84 and 43 months for groups A and B, respectively (P < 0.0001). The Cox model showed a highly significant impact on PFS and OS in relation to CA-125 nadir levels. CONCLUSIONS: The CA-125 nadir value is a strong independent prognostic factor for optimally treated adEOC after achieving a complete response.     

CA-125 can be part of the tumour evaluation criteria in ovarian cancer trials: experience of the GCIG CALYPSO trial

Background:

CA-125 as a tumour progression criterion in relapsing ovarian cancer (ROC) trials remains controversial. CALYPSO is a large randomised trial incorporating CA-125 (GCIG criteria) and symptomatic deterioration in addition to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) criteria (radiological) to determine progression.

Methods:

In all, 976 patients with platinum-sensitive ROC were randomised to carboplatin–paclitaxel (C-P) or carboplatin-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (C-PLD). CT-scan and CA-125 were performed every 3 months until progression.

Results:

In all, 832 patients (85%) progressed, with 60% experiencing a first radiological progression, 10% symptomatic progression, and 28% CA-125 progression without evidence of radiological or symptomatic progression. The benefit of C-PLD vs C-P in progression-free survival was not influenced by type of first progression (hazard ratio 0.85 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66–1.10) and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.72–0.98) for CA-125 and RECIST, respectively). In patients with CA-125 first progression who subsequently progressed radiologically, a delay of 2.3 months was observed between the two progression types. After CA-125 first progression, median time to new treatment was 2.0 months. In all, 81%of the patients with CA-125 or radiological first progression and 60% with symptomatic first progression received subsequent treatment.

Conclusion:

CA-125 and radiological tests performed similarly in determining progression with C-PLD or C-P. Additional follow-up with CA-125 measurements was not associated with overtreatment.     

Causes of postoperative mortality after surgery for ovarian cancer

Residual disease after cytoreductive surgery is an important prognostic factor in patients with advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Aggressive surgical procedures necessary to achieve maximal cytoreduction are inevitably associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality.To determine causes of postoperative mortality (POM) after surgery for EOC all postoperative deaths in the southwestern part of the Netherlands over a 17-year period were identified and analysed by reviewing medical notes.Between 1989 and 2005, 2434 patients underwent cytoreductive surgery for EOC. Sixty-seven patients (3.1%) died within 30 days after surgery. Postoperative mortality increased with age from 1.5% (26/1765) for the age group 20–69 to 6.6% (32/486) for the age group 70–79 and 9.8% (18/183) for patients aged 80 years or older. Pulmonary failure (18%) and surgical site infection (15%) were the most common causes of death. Only a quarter of deaths resulted from surgical site complications.Our results suggest that causes of postoperative mortality after surgery for EOC are very heterogeneous. Given the impact of general complications, progress in preoperative risk assessment, preoperative preparation and postoperative care seem essential to reduce the occurrence of fatal complications.     

Prediction of tumour response induced by chemotherapy using modelling of CA-125 kinetics in recurrent ovarian cancer patients

Background:

The main objective of the present study was to establish the relationships between CA-125 kinetics and tumour size changes during treatment.

Methods:

The data from the CALYPSO-randomised phase III trial, comparing two platinum-based regimens in recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) patients, was randomly split into a ‘learning data set'' to estimate model parameters and a ‘validation data set'' to validate model performances. A kinetic–pharmacodynamic semi-mechanistic model was built to describe tumour size and CA-125 kinetics during chemotherapy. The ability of the model to predict tumour response induced by chemotherapy, based on CA-125 values, was assessed.

Results:

Data from 535 ROC patients were used to model CA-125 kinetics and tumour size changes during the first 513 days after treatment initiation. Using the validated model, we could predict with accuracy the tumour size changes induced by chemotherapy based on the baseline imaging assessment and longitudinal CA-125 values (mean prediction error: 0.3%, mean absolute prediction error: 10.6%).

Conclusions:

Using a semi-mechanistic model, the dynamic relationships between tumour size changes and CA-125 kinetics induced by chemotherapy were established in ROC patients. A modelling approach allowed CA-125 to be assessed as a biomarker for tumour size dynamics, to predict treatment efficacy for research and clinical purposes.     

Outcomes from ovarian cancer screening in the PLCO trial: Histologic heterogeneity impacts detection,overdiagnosis and survival

AimA mortality benefit from screening for ovarian cancer has never been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the screening outcomes for different histologic subtypes of ovarian cancers.MethodsWomen in the screening arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Screening Trial underwent CA-125 and transvaginal ultrasound annually for 3–5 years. We compared screening test characteristics (including overdiagnosis) and outcomes by tumour type (type II versus other) and study arm (screening versus usual care).ResultsOf 78,215 women randomised, 496 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Of the tumours that were characterised (n = 413; 83%), 74% (n = 305) were type II versus 26% other (n = 108). Among screened patients, 70% of tumours were type II compared to 78% in usual care (p = 0.09). Within the screening arm, 29% of type II tumours were screen detected compared to 54% of the others (p < 0.01). The sensitivity of screening was 65% for type II tumours versus 86% for other types (p = 0.02). 15% of type II screen-detected tumours were stage I/II, compared to 81% of other tumours (p < 0.01). The overdiagnosis rate was lower for type II compared to other tumours (28.2% versus 72.2%; p < 0.01). Ovarian cancer–specific survival was worse for type II tumours compared to others (p < 0.01). Survival was similar for type II (p = 0.74) or other types (p = 0.32) regardless of study arm.ConclusionsTest characteristics of screening for ovarian cancer differed for type II tumours compared to other ovarian tumours. Type II tumours were less likely to be screen diagnosed, early stage at diagnosis or overdiagnosed.     

Prognostic impact of initial tumor load and intraperitoneal disease dissemination patterns in patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing complete cytoreductive surgery

IntroductionComplete removal of disease is the most important prognostic factor for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma. However, the influence of carcinomatosis distribution on prognosis is unknown and the prognostic impact of implant size according to their location is poorly studied. Our objective was to assess the impact of peritoneal carcinomatosis quantitative and qualitative localizations on progression free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma (AEOC) after complete cytoreductive surgery.MethodsWe conducted a monocentric cohort study, retrospective from October 2001 to July 2014. Inclusion criteria were high-grade AEOC patients without residual disease (CC0) after primary debulking surgery (PDS) or after interval debulking surgery (IDS) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Peritoneal carcinomatosis was assessed according to qualitative criteria and quantitative criteria.ResultsOne hundred and one patients were included. Median PFS was 21·2 months and median OS was 62·2 months. On the whole population, involvement of adipocytes-enriched areas tended to be associated with a decreased PFS and was significantly associated with a decreased OS. Any localization was associated with PFS or OS in the “IDS” subgroup. In the “PDS” subgroup, PCI score and involvement of the right mesocolic area were associated with a decreased PFS.ConclusionInitial tumor load has not been found associated with PFS after complete surgery. Adipocytes-enriched areas and right mesocolic areas involvement were associated with poor prognosis in patients receiving primary debulking surgery. Larger-scale studies are needed to assess whether initial tumor load has a prognostic impact even after complete cytoreductive surgery is achieved.     

Comparison of total plasma lysophosphatidic acid and serum CA-125 as a tumor marker in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer

Objective

To evaluate the role of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) as a tumor marker in diagnosis and follow-up of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods

Eighty-seven epithelial ovarian cancer patients, 74 benign ovarian tumor patients, and 50 healthy women were enrolled in the study. Twenty-nine of 87 epithelial ovarian cancer patients were followed up for 6 cycles of paclitaxel-carboplatin chemotherapy. CA-125 and total plasma LPA levels were measured preoperatively and before each chemotherapy cycle.

Results

Preoperative total plasma LPA and serum CA-125 levels were significantly higher in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer compared to patients with benign ovarian tumors and healthy women. Cut-off value for LPA was determined as 1.3 µmol/L and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 95%, 92%, 95% and 92%, respectively. Mean total plasma LPA level of 29 patients who received chemotherapy was 7.21±6.63 µmol/L preoperatively and 6.84±6.34 µmol/L, 6.34±5.92 µmol/L, 6.14±5.79 µmol/L, 5.86±5.68 µmol/L, 5.23±5.11 µmol/L and 5.21±5.32 µmol/L in measurements held just before the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th chemotherapy cycles, respectively (ANOVA, p=0.832). Total plasma LPA levels decreased slightly with chemotherapy administration and there was a weak negative correlation (Spearman, r_s=-0.151, p=0.034), compared to a significant negative correlation in CA-125 (Spearman, r_s=-0.596, p<0.001).

Conclusion

LPA is a better biomarker for diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer compared to CA-125. However, measurement of total plasma LPA levels during chemotherapy administration have no superiority to the serum CA-125 levels.     

Plasma D-dimer and peritoneal CA-125 levels as predictors of disease status in ovarian carcinoma

Although serum CA-125 has improved our ability to monitor tumor response in ovarian carcinoma, ～50% of patients with normalization of CA-125 have persistent disease at second look laparotomy. Peritoneal CA-125 and plasma D-Dimer levels were studied to determine if their use could increase the sensitivity for persistent ovarian carcinoma in a population of patients with normal physical examinations, radiologic studies, and serum CA-125 values. Plasma D-Dimer levels were obtained prior to second look laparotomy. The results of peritoneal CA-125 and plasma D-Dimer studies were compared to second look laparotomy results. Differences were evaluated with a one-way analysis of variance. Twenty-seven patients were studied. Peritoneal CA-125 was evaluated in 23 patients and ranged from <6.3–223 U/ml. There was no statistical difference in peritoneal CA-125 levels between patients whose second look laparotomies were negative, or microscopically or macroscopically positive. D-Dimer was elevated in three patients, all of whom had macroscopically positive second look findings. The sensitivity for positive second look findings was only 27%. Minimally elevated plasma D-Dimer levels were specific but not sensitive for persistent disease and peritoneal CA-125 was not predictive of disease status. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The efficacy of sonographic morphology indexing and serum CA-125 for preoperative differentiation of malignant from benign ovarian tumors in patients after operation with ovarian tumors

Objective

To evaluate the value of sonographic morphology indexing (MI) system and serum CA-125 levels in the assessment of the malignancy risk in patients with ovarian tumors.

Methods

From September 2000 to July 2006, 202 patients who underwent surgery for ovarian tumors were reviewed retrospectively. In all patients, the MI score and serum CA-125 level were measured preoperatively. The association of the final pathologic diagnosis with the MI score and serum CA-125 level were examined.

Results

There were 26 malignant tumors out of 141 ovarian tumors with a MI ≥5 (18%). With a cut-off value of 5, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of MI scores were 0.743, 0.293, 0.181, and 0.845, respectively. There were 22 malignant tumors out of 54 ovarian tumors with serum CA-125 >30 u/ml (41%). With a cut-off value of 30 u/ml, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of serum CA-125 level were 0.667, 0.808, 0.407, and NPV 0.925, respectively. On ROC curve, the optimal cut-off value of MI score was 6.5-7.5 and that of serum CA-125 level was 25.6-28.5 u/ml. With a cut-off value of 7, the sensitivity and 1-specificity of MI score were 0.875-0.917 and 0.023-0.203, respectively. After the exclusion of teratoma cases, the sensitivity and 1-specificity of MI score were 0.875-0.917 and 0.046-0.138, respectively. With a cut-off value of 25.6-28.5 u/ml, the sensitivity and 1-specificity of serum CA-125 level were 0.958 and 0.203-0.215, respectively.

Conclusion

The sonographic MI system is an accurate and simple method to differentiate a malignant tumor from a benign ovarian tumor. The accuracy of the sonographic MI system improved when the serum CA-125 level was considered and ovarian teratomas were excluded.