@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2252-0805    The Horizon of Medical Sciences 2014;20(3):139-143

Background
… [1-4] Tumor markers are mostly protein compounds in urine or serum produced by the tumor or person’s body in response to cancer. There are different tumor marker types, some of which are produced in special kinds of cancer named as specific markers and some others are in different kinds of cancer [5]. “hCG” belongs to TSH, FSH, and LH family composed of alpha and beta sub-units. During pregnancy, “hCG” is produced by cytotrophoblast cells of the placenta, while, in cancers, it is produced by the tumors. There are “hCG” and its sub-units especially including β-hCG in different types of cancer cells [6]. “β-hCG” is the metastasis and local development factor in the tumors. Therefore, “hCG” has been assessed as a prognostic biomarker in different cancer types such as ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer. It has been proposed that secretory hCG acts as a growth factor and increases VEGF, which is an important factor in angiogenesis [7].
Previous Studies
Non-declared
Aim(s)
The aim of this study was to compare between serum levels of β-hCG cancer markers, calcium, phosphor, and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity in healthy persons and patients with ovarian cancer, as well as to investigate the possibility of utilization of the above factors as the ovarian cancer markers.
Research type
This is a case-control study.
Research society, place and time
Persons with ovarian cancer, who were previously treated ovarian surgery and receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment during the study, presented by the physicians to Isfahan Seyedoshohada Hospital (Iran) in 2013 were studied.
Sampling method and number
Smokers and patients with other diseases were not included in the study. The sample size was estimated 44 persons per group, using Cochran’s formula. Healthy persons were selected from volunteers, who were homogeneous with the members of patient group in age, smoking, and ovarian cancer in their closed relatives.
Used devices&materials
After 8 hours fasting, 5ml blood samples were taken through standard venous sampling using disposable syringes. “β-hCG” tumor marker was measured using ELIZA kit (Pishtazteb; Iran). Calcium and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity were measured using kit via photometric method (Darman Kav; Iran). Phosphor was measured using kit via photometric method (Pars Azmun; Iran). Data was analyzed using SPSS 17 software. According to Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, data were normally distributed. Independent T-test was used to compare between the factors in the groups.
Findings by Text
Mean age of patient group was 53.3±15.2years (aged between 23 and 87 years). Mean age of healthy group was 43.6±15.6years (aged between 23 and 86 years). There was only a significant difference between mean values of β-hCG concentration in patient group (2.96±1.30units per lit.) and healthy group (2.27±1.17units per lit.). There was no significant difference between mean values of calcium concentration in patient group (9.92±0.54mg/dl) and healthy group (9.71±0.53mg/dl). There was no significant difference between mean values of phosphor concentration in patient group (3.58±0.51mg/dl) and healthy group (3.82±0.55mg/dl). There was no significant difference between mean alkaline phosphatase activities in patient group (146.43±37.61units per lit.) and healthy group (137.30±32.48units per lit.).
Main comparison to the similar studies
There was higher β-hCG in patients with ovarian cancer than healthy persons. Anti-hCG monoclonal antibodies might be used in targeted treatment of cancer, since the cancer cells express hCG gene [6]. … [7-9] Level of hCG serum increases in 26.7% of benign patients and about 67% of patients with malignant ovarian masses. In addition, there was a difference between serum levels of hCG in patients with benign ovarian tumors and patients with malignant ones [10]. … [11] Utilization of β-hCG as a tumor marker in ovarian cancer is explainable only in the developed stages of the disease (stages III and IV) [12]. In other words, β-hCG is the marker for tumors of the germ cells [13, 14]. All the above results confirm the results of present studies. … [15-17] Placental alkaline phosphatase activity increases in 46% of the patients with ovarian cancer. In addition, to diagnose the ovarian malignancies, utilization of CA125 and CEA compound as a marker is more effective [18]. In case of increase in serum alkaline phosphatase due to an unknown reason, other tests such as CA125, transvaginal sonography, and, even, laparoscopy should be done to diagnose ovarian cancer [19]. There was no difference between serum alkaline phosphatase enzyme, calcium, and phosphor in healthy persons and the patients. The results are not consistent with the results of other studies. … [20]
Suggestions
Tumor markers of different kinds of cancer and especially ovarian cancer should be studied more exactly and more expanded in different Iranian populations. Different tumor markers and risk factors should be investigated by new laboratory technics and their correlation with ovarian cancer should be assessed with a greater sample size.
Limitations
Non-declared
Conclusions
“β-hCG” serum level in patients with ovarian cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment is higher than the healthy persons. In addition, there is no correlation between serum level of calcium, phosphor, and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity in patients with ovarian cancer receiving treatment and the disease status.
Acknowledgments
The researchers appreciate the patients and the personnel of Isfahan Seyedoshohada Hospital.
Conflict of interest
Non-declared
Ethical Permissions
Non-declared
Funding Sources
The researchers funded the study.