Open AccessHigh Serum Levels of Follistatin in Patients with Ovarian Cancer
Author(s) -
Pinyi Ren,
Chen Ff,
Liu Hy,
Cui Xl,
YingShi Sun,
Guan Jl,
Liu Zh,
Liu Jg,
Wang Yn
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of international medical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1473-2300
pISSN - 0300-0605
DOI - 10.1177/147323001204000306
Subject(s) - ovarian cancer , follistatin , medicine , immunohistochemistry , tumor marker , cancer antigen , cancer , ovary , gastroenterology , endocrinology , pathology , oncology
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the potential use of serum follistatin (FST) as a marker for ovarian cancer alongside serum cancer antigen-125 (CA-125). METHODS: Serum samples were collected from patients with ovarian cancer ( n = 45), benign ovarian cysts ( n = 40) or other cancers ( n = 100) and from healthy subjects ( n = 60) for the determination of FST and CA-125 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Expression of FST in ovarian tissue was investigated using immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Compared with healthy subjects and patients with benign ovarian cysts, serum FST and CA-125 levels were significantly increased in patients with ovarian cancer. Using the 95% confidence interval for the healthy subjects group as the cut-off value, tumour marker sensitivity and specificity in ovarian cancer were 53.3% and 97% for FST and 77.8% and 84% for CA-125, respectively. Tissue expression of FST protein was more pronounced in ovarian cancer than in normal ovary. CONCLUSIONS: The serum FST level was elevated in the peripheral blood of patients with ovarian cancer and has potential as a tumour marker for ovarian cancer diagnosis. It may be particularly useful when combined with CA-125 detection to reduce the number of false-positive results.