High concentrations of activin A in the peritoneal fluid of women with epithelial ovarian cancer

Cobellis L, Luigi Cobellis, Fernando M. Reis, Stefano Luisi, S Danero, Secondo Danero, Danero S, Luigi Pirtoli, Pirtoli L, Scambia G, Giovanni Scambia, Felice Petraglia
Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation · 2004 · vol. 11(4) , pp. 203–206 · doi:10.1016/j.jsgi.2003.10.008 · PMID:15120692 · W2082552182
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This study investigated activin A concentrations in peritoneal fluid from women with epithelial ovarian cancer, finding high levels present.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the concentrations of activin A in the peritoneal fluid of women with epithelial (serous) ovarian cancer. METHODS: A group of 160 women was studied and divided in four subgroups as follows: 1) serous ovarian carcinoma (n = 32); 2) serous ovarian cystadenoma (n = 20); 3) endometriosis (n = 53); and 4) healthy controls (n = 55), including both fertile (n = 32) and postmenopausal women (n = 23). Specimens of peritoneal fluid were collected during surgical interventions, and activin A was quantified using a specific two-site enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Peritoneal fluid activin A concentrations in women with ovarian carcinoma were about five-fold higher than those found in the control group (median [interquartile range] = 7.60 [2.85-10.15] and 1.50 [1.00-2.50] ng/mL, respectively, P <.001). In contrast, the women with benign serous cystadenoma had peritoneal fluid activin A concentrations (1.50 [1.0-2.70] ng/mL) similar to those of the control group. High peritoneal fluid activin A levels (>2 multiples of the mean) distinguished carcinoma from cystadenoma with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 80%. The follow-up of nine patients with stage IIIc ovarian cancer showed no apparent relationship between the peritoneal fluid activin A levels and overall survival. No significant difference in peritoneal fluid activin A concentrations between patients with endometriosis and control women was observed. CONCLUSION: Most women with serous ovarian carcinoma had high concentrations of activin A in the peritoneal fluid, supporting a possible role of this growth factor in ovarian cancer.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Activins Ascitic Fluid Inhibin-beta Subunits Ovarian Neoplasms Activins Activins Adult Adult Aged Aged Aged, 80 and over Aged, 80 and over Ascitic Fluid Ascitic Fluid Cystadenocarcinoma Cystadenocarcinoma Cystadenocarcinoma Cystadenoma, Serous Cystadenoma, Serous Cystadenoma, Serous

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