title: Do the levels of tumor makers or proinflammatory cytokines in mid-trimester cervical fluid predict early-stage cervical shortening?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we aimed to assess the biomarkers in mid-trimester cervical fluid that can predict early stage cervical shortening.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained cervical swab specimens from 96 gravidas, after which the cervical length was measured, at approximately 20 weeks of gestation. Cervical length was measured again at 4 weeks after the initial examination. Cervical shortening was noted in 20 women between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation (group A), whereas no cervical shortening was noted in 76 women (group B). We evaluated the use of the levels of tumor markers, proinflammatory cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) as candidate biomarkers. CA-125 and carcinoembryonic antigen levels were determined by using an automatic immunoassay system in both groups. Furthermore, IL-1β, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, and MMP-8 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of inflammatory cytokines and MMP-8 did not differ between the two groups, and were not correlated with cervical length or the change in cervical length. Although CA-125 and carcinoembryonic antigen levels were higher in group A, they were not statistically significant (P = 0.304 and 0.092, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early stage cervical shortening in mid-trimester was not associated with an increase in the levels of tumor markers or proinflammatory cytokines in cervical fluid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu.
authors.forename: Won Joon
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Seong
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu.
authors.forename: Dong Young
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Andong General Hospital, Andong, Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Bon
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Koo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D054791:Cervical Length Measurement; D002584:Cervix Uteri; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000097:blood*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D016207:Cytokines; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8
keywords: CA-125; cervical length; matrix metalloproteinase-8; proinflammatory cytokines