title: Raised serum chondroitin sulfate epitope level in ovarian epithelial cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the value of serum chondroitin sulfate epitope WF6 and hyaluronan (HA) levels as a biomarker for early detection of ovarian epithelial cancer and other gynecological disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum WF6 CS epitope and HA were measured in 91 patients with ovarian epithelial cancer, 39 patients with non-cancer gynecological disorders and 30 healthy women. Serum chondroitin sulfate (CS) WF6 epitope was determined by a competitive immunoassay with the monoclonal antibodies WF6, which specifically recognizes an epitope in native CS chains. In addition, serum HA concentration was measured by an ELISA-based assay with a biotinylated affinity HA-binding proteins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum concentration of CS (WF6) epitope was highly increased in epithelial types of ovarian cancer and at all stages of development (p < 0.005). Serum HA in ovarian cancer patients was significantly higher than normal controls (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results reflect changes in ECM metabolism in progressive ovarian cancer, which cause an increase in serum CS epitopes and HA. Therefore, serum CS epitopes may provide useful biomarkers for cancers and other disorders of the ovary. Measurement of serum HA provided complementary information, which may be useful as a discriminator between benign ovarian disorders and malignant ovarian diseases.
authors.affiliation: Thailand Excellence Centre for Tissue Engineering, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Peraphan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pothacharoen
authors.forename: Sumalee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siriaunkgul
authors.forename: Siriwan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ong-Chai
authors.forename: Jitwadee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Supabandhu
authors.forename: Prayoon
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumja
authors.forename: Chanane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wanaphirak
authors.forename: Kazuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sugahara
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hardingham
authors.forename: Prachya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kongtawelert
mesh_terms: D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D000231:Adenocarcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D018269:Carcinoma, Endometrioid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006825:Hybridomas; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000939:Epitopes; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates