Immunological peculiarities of CD-56-positive serous ovarian adenocarcinoma.

Here we present the results of evaluation of the expression of neural cell adhesion molecules CD56 (NCAM) in serous ovarian adenocarcinoma. The expression was detected in 48.5% cases.

Serum sFas, leptin, and VEGF in patients with ovarian cancer and benign tumors.

The initial levels of soluble Fas antigen (sFas), leptin, and vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) were measured in the sera of 100 patients with ovarian cancer and benign tumors and in 60 healthy women aged 28-65 years. Serum levels of sFas and VEGF were elevated in the total group of patients with ovarian tumors, while leptin levels were the same as in healthy women. The studied parameters did not depend on the age of patients and healthy women.

Cancer and soluble FAS.

A test system developed by the authors was used to measure serum concentrations of soluble Fas in patients with malignant and benign tumors of different location and morphology. Relationships between soluble Fas levels and the main clinical and morphological characteristics of cancer were evaluated. It is proven that the concentrations and incidence of detection of soluble Fas in the sera of patients with tumors are significantly higher than in normal subjects.

Molecular markers of tumors.

The main biologically significant molecular markers of human tumors are discussed on the basis of modern published data and author's findings of many-year studies: steroid hormone receptors, growth factors and underlying signal proteins, tumor-associated proteases, and angiogenesis markers. Methodological aspects, progress in preclinical studies, international recommendations on the use of these parameters for prediction of the disease course and prescription of effective therapy are analyzed. Latest data on the potentialities and limitations of modern highly productive technologies (microchips) as an alternative to studies of individual molecular markers are presented.