title: HE4 tumor marker concentration in neoplastic peritoneal effusion and in peritoneal fluid associated with benign gynecological diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of our study was to evaluate the behaviour of the human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in the peritoneal fluid encountered in various female genital diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 139 patients, 40 with ovarian cancer (group I), 82 with benign diseases (group II), and 17 with other malignant neoplasms (group III). The HE4 tumor marker concentrations were determined in serum, in the peritoneal effusion and ovarian cyst/ tumor fluids, CA125 in the serum only. We compared the groups, examined correlations and determined corresponding ROC curves. We evaluated the relationship between the HE4 marker concentration in the peritoneal effusion in the group I, depending on the selected prognostic parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The HE4 median value between the study groups did not differ statistically significantly and were as follows: in group I 3322 pmol/L, in the group II 2150 pmol/L and in the group III 627 pmol/L (p = 0.206376 for the groups I and II, p = 0.05929 for the groups I and III and p = 0.0797 for the groups II and III. In group I there were no differences found in the HE4 concentrations in the peritoneal fluid, depending on the stage, grade, the presence of neoplastic cells and the peritoneal dissemination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HE4 marker concentrations in the peritoneal fluid are highly irrespective of the pathology observed in the female sexual organ. Therefore, it seems that its determinations in the peritoneal fluid are completely useless in terms of diagnostics. More research is needed on the role of the HE4 marker, especially the place of its formation and possible use in the targeted therapy.
authors: Department of Gynecological Surgery and Gynecological Oncology of Adults and Adolescents, Pomeranian Medical University, Al, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, Szczecin PL-70-111, Poland. anitagl@poczta.onet.pl.
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Chudecka-Głaz
authors: Aneta
authors: A
authors: Cymbaluk-Płoska
authors: Janusz
authors: J
authors: Menkiszak
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Sompolska-Rzechuła
authors: Elżbieta
authors: E
authors: Byra
authors: Izabella
authors: I
authors: Rzepka-Górska
mesh_terms: D019540:Area Under Curve; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000097:blood; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012372:ROC Curve; D000081102:WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain Protein 2
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; 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