Validity of serum CA125 level for assessing responsiveness to combined chemotherapy in epithelial ovarian cancer

Lee, Moon Ryung; Lee, Yong Ho; Kim, Young Tae; Lee, Gyu Wan

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to identify the validity of serum CA125 level for assessing responsiveness to combined chemotherapy in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
30 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who had received postoperative combined chemotherapy (paclitaxel and cisplatin) at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Medical Center, from February, 1996 to July, 2000 were included. We analyzed the relation between the responsiveness criteria of WHO and the change in serum CA125 level.
RESULTS
1. There was a tendency that patients with more advanced stage(stage 1-4) had higher serum CA125 level without significant differences. 2. The percentage of patients who responded to paclitaxel and cisplatin was 46.7%(14/30) by WHO criteria and 56.7%(17/30) by serum CA125 level. 3. The sensitivity and specificity of serum CA125 level in the prediction of response were 78.6% and 62.5% respectively. 4. In a living group, the changes of percentage value in CA125 level were higher at 2nd, 3rd and 4th chemotherapy cycle than in an expired group(p<0.05). 5. There was a tendency that the responsiveness based on WHO criteria and CA125 had positive correlation(p=0.0865). 6. There was a tendency that the responsiveness based on serum CA125 level and patient`s survival had positive correlation(p=0.1454).
CONCLUSIONS
Serum CA125 level is a valid tumor marker in assessing the responsiveness to combined chemotherapy which can be used with or instead of the WHO criteria in epithelial ovarian cancer.