Human epididymal protein 4 (HE4) is a novel biomarker and a promising prognostic factor in ovarian cancer patients.

Purpose Of Investigation: The aim of this work was to compare serum concentrations of HE4 in patients with benign and malignant epithelial tumors and to determine the association of preoperative concentrations of HE4 with some clinicopathologic factors.

Methods: We enrolled 94 patients, including 39 females with freshly diagnosed ovarian cancer. HE4 concentrations were measured with ELISA HE4 EIA assay from Fujirebio Diagnostics.

Results: Serum concentrations of HE4 differed significantly in patients with ovarian cancer (324.1 pM) compared with benign epithelial tumors (26.1 pM; p < 000.1). There was also a significant difference between HE4 concentrations at diagnosis of ovarian cancer (324.1 pM) and in patients with complete clinical remission (23.3 pM; p < 0.0001). Patients with poorly differentiated tumors had significantly higher concentrations of HE4. Preoperative HE4 levels were higher in patients in whom relapse was noted and who died before the end of the two-year follow-up period.

Conclusion: On the basis of these findings and reports in the literature it appears likely that HE4 can complement CA125 in the monitoring of therapy in ovarian cancer and may also serve for prognostication.