Carbohydrate antigen 125:  a new biomarker in heart failure.
Tumor markers are used for the screening, diagnosis, and stratification of cancer disease, but recently the role of some tumor markers has also been explored in the context of patients with heart failure (HF). Of all tumor biomarkers, carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125) has emerged as a potential biomarker in HF by showing correlations with clinical, hemodynamic, and echocardiographic parameters indicative of the severity of the disease. Interestingly, fluctuations in serum levels of CA-125 after treatment were also found, suggesting potential utility in a serial and long-term therapeutic intervention assessment. It has also been reported that in patients with HF, there is a significant correlation between CA-125 and brain natriuretic peptide levels. The aim of this article is to review the data currently available on serum levels of tumor markers in patients with chronic HF, focusing attention on the potential clinical use of CA-125.
Applied and Experimental Medicine Department, Department of Cardiology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. enrico.vizzardi@tin.it
Enrico
E
Vizzardi
Antonio
A
D'Aloia
Antonio
A
Curnis
Livio
L
Dei Cas
D000208:Acute Disease; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis
D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain