Onkologie. 2012:6(2):65-67

CA125/MUC16 in diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer

Luděk Záveský

Ústav biologie a lékařské genetiky 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha

The most fatal gynecologic malignancy, ovarian cancer, causes more than 50% deaths in this tumor group. Most of cases (>60%) are diagnosed

in advanced stages with poor 5-year survival prognosis. Diagnostic tools for an effective early detection or screening have not

been found yet. Treatment possibilities (surgery, chemotherapy) are insufficient while high tendency to recurrence and chemoresistance

occurs. CA125/MUC16 has been one of the most extensively used markers for a detection of primary tumors, or recurrence for a long

time since its discovery in 80´s. However, the structure and biological functions of CA125 have been discovered relatively recently. CA125

may play an important role in carcinogenesis and interactions with cells of immune system. We reviewed the known biological functions

and particularly the current state of using this marker as the diagnostic tool in ovarian cancer. Recently, many new markers emerged

ambitiously to replace CA125; moreover, the importance of monitoring CA125 for the recurrence detection has also been questioned

in large clinical trials. These studies have not found an impact for overall survival/mortality of patients. Also a potential of using CA125

targeted antibodies has not brought previously expected results so far.

Keywords: ovarian cancer, diagnostics, treatment, CA125, HE4, RECAF

Published: April 23, 2012  Show citation