Measuring HE4 alongside CA125 for Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis: A pilot
clinical study
Abstract
[The Instructions to Authors state no abstract is required for a
Research Letter but the submission sysem demands one, so this text is
included.] In order to assess whether measuring HE4 might add to the
performance of CA125 in diagnosing ovarian cancer, we measured both
markers in 33 individuals with elevated CA125. We found that HE4
elevated above 150 pmol/l was present in all 9 cases of ovarian cancer
and in the single case of pancreatic cancer. HE4 levels below 77pmol/l
seen in 16 cases were associated with non-malignant gynaecological
conditions and with there being no identified cause for elevated CA125.
Two cases with HE4 between 77 and 149 pmol/l had no gynaecological
conditions and 2 had no an identifiable cause. Measuring both markers
could lead to improved sensitivity and specificity of the initial
diagnostic step.