title: Serum HE4 levels are less frequently elevated than CA125 in women with benign gynecologic disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a novel biomarker for ovarian cancer. This study measured the HE4 and CA125 levels in women with benign gynecological disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera were obtained from women prior to surgery for a pelvic mass and HE4 and CA125 levels were determined. The proportions of patients with elevated biomarker levels were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 1042 women with benign disease. HE4 levels were less often elevated than CA125 (8% vs 29%, P < .001). A marked difference was observed in patients with endometriosis in which HE4 was elevated in 3% of patients and CA125 in 67% (P < .0001). Serous ovarian tumors were associated with elevated levels of HE4 in 8% of patients and CA125 in 20% (P = .0002); uterine fibroids in 8% vs 26% (P = .0083); dermoids in 1% vs 21% (P = .0004); and inflammatory disease in 10% vs 37% (P = .014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HE4 is elevated less frequently than CA125 in benign disease, particularly in premenopausal patients.
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomarkers and Emerging Technologies, Program in Women's Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02905, USA. rmoore@wihri.org
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Michael Craig
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Margaret M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Steinhoff
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Skates
authors.forename: Karen H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Geralyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lambert-Messerlian
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Bast
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D000081102:WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain Protein 2
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018394:CA-125 Antigen; C451759:MUC16 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D000081102:WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain Protein 2; C569698:WFDC2 protein, human