Correlation of Molecular Tumor Markers CA125, HE4, and CEA with the Development and Progression of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to explore the levels of serum moleculartumor markers carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer, and their correlation with the progression of the cancer. METHODS: A total of 222 people were enrolled in this study admitted to Jining Maternal and Child Health and Family Planning Service Center from January 2016 to December 2017. There were 122 patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer (ovarian cancer group), 50 patients with benign ovarian diseases (benign control group), and 50 healthy individuals (normal control group). The levels of serum CA125, CEA, and HE4 were detected by the electrochemical luminescence method and ELISA. RESULTS: The levels of serum CA125, HE4, and CEA in the ovarian cancer group were significantly higher than those in patients with the benign control group and the normal control group (P<0.01). The levels of serum CA125, HE4, and CEA in the high clinical staging group (stage III and stage II), low differentiation group, comorbid ascites group, metastasis group, and recurrence group were significantly higher than those in the low clinical staging group (stage I and stage II), high + moderate differentiation group, non-ascites group, non-metastasis group, and non-recurrence group, respectively (all P<0.05), and the levels of serum CA125, HE4, and CEA decreased significantly after treatment (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The levels of serum CA125, HE4, and CEA are closely related to the development and progression of epithelial ovarian cancer, and combined detection of CA125, HE4 and CEA is of great significance for early diagnosis, disease development monitoring, and prognosis evaluation of epithelial ovarian cancer.