Investigating the clinical potential for 14-3-3 zeta protein to serve as a biomarker for epithelial ovarian cancer

• Published in: Journal of ovarian research 2013-11, Vol.6 (1), p.79-79
• Main Authors: Hatzipetros, Ioannis, Gocze, Peter, Koszegi, Tamas, Jaray, Akos, Szereday, Laszlo, Polgar, Beata, Farkas, Nelli, Farkas, Balint
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological markers; Cancer; Carrier proteins; Chemotherapy; Comparative analysis; CT imaging; Development and progression; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Enzymes; Kinases; Medical imaging; Neoplastic processes; Oncology, Experimental; Ovarian cancer; Postmenopausal women; Womens health
• ISSN: 1757-2215; 1757-2215
• DOI: 10.1186/1757-2215-6-79

Recently, 14-3-3 zeta protein was identified as a potential serum biomarker of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The goal of this study was to investigate the clinical potential of 14-3-3 zeta protein for monitoring EOC progression compared with CA-125 and HE4. Prospective follow-up study. University of Pecs Medical Center Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Oncology (Pecs, Hungary). Thirteen EOC patients with advanced stage (FIGO IIb-IIIc) epithelial ovarian cancer that underwent radical surgery and received six consecutive cycles of first line chemotherapy (paclitaxel, carboplatin) in 21-day intervals. Pre- and post-chemotherapy computed tomography (CT) scans were performed. Serum levels of CA-125, HE4, and 14-3-3 zeta protein were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative electrochemiluminescence assay (ECLIA). Serum levels of CA-125, HE4, and 14-3-3 zeta protein, as well as lesion size according to pre- and post-chemotherapy CT scans. Serum levels of CA-125 and HE4 were found to significantly decrease following chemotherapy, and this was consistent with the decrease in lesion size detected post-chemotherapy. In contrast, 14-3-3 zeta protein levels did not significantly differ in healthy postmenopausal patients versus EOC patients. Determination of CA-125 and HE4 serum levels for the determination of the risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) represents a useful tool for the prediction of chemotherapy efficacy for EOC patients. However, levels of 14-3-3 zeta protein were not found to vary significantly as a consequence of treatment. Therefore we question if 14-3-3 zeta protein is a reliable biomarker, which correlates with the clinical behavior of EOC.