Tissue expression of HE4 and its correlation with CA125 and p53 in high grade serous ovarian carcinoma

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the human epididymis secretory protein 4 (HE4) and to compare the results with the other tumor markers CA125 and p53 in ovarian serous cancer patients. The authors also aimed to find a potantial molecular target for serous carcinoma treatment. Materials and Methods: A total of 31 patients with a diagnosis of high grade serous ovarian carcinoma were enrolled. All patients underwent surgical resection. Final original diagnosis was reached by histopathological features of the tumor and by combined immunohistochemistry using CA125 and p53 immunostains. The results were compared to HE4 immunostaining. Results: Of the tumor tissues studied, HE4 immunostaining was seen in a majority of the cases (28 out of 31 cases) (90.32%). Neither CA125 nor p53 results were available in six cases based on pathology reports, in which HE4 expression was observed in five cases. Conclusions: Immunohistochemical staining pattern of HE4 serves as a surrogate marker for p53 in high grade serous ovarian carcinoma and it is superior to p53 and CA125. It may be a potential candidate for therapeutic targets.

HE4; Ovary; Carcinoma; CA125; p53.

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