Title:HE4 is a Beneficial Biomarker in Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Volume: 18
Issue: 2
Author(s): Hayam Fathy Mohammad, Nashwa El-Khazragy*, S. Hassan, Fatma Abukra, Rehab M. Abdelrahman, Amr Ahmed Mahmoud Riad and Mohamed A. Abdelhafeez
Affiliation:
- Department
of Clinical Pathology-Hematology, and Ain Shams Medical Research Institute (MASRI), Faculty of
Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Keywords:
Human epidydmus 4, endometrial carcinoma, prognosis, biomarkers, PTEN, KRAS.
Abstract:
Background: Endometrial carcinoma ranks second among the most common gynecological
malignancy in developing countries. Biomarkers are needed to aid in screening the disease and
predicting the clinical as well as the therapeutic outcome. Human Epididymis Protein 4 (HE4) is a
protein that was first isolated from human epididymis cells. HE4 levels are elevated in various
types of cancers, such as ovarian and gastric cancer.
Objectives: We aim to assess the association of serum and tissue, HE4, and endometrial adenocarcinoma
in 77 Egyptian patients divided into two groups: 37 patients in the endometrial cancer group
and 40 patients in the control group.
Results: We found that HE4 levels were significantly increased in both serum and tissue of the endometrial
cancer group compared to the negative control group. Moreover, higher expression levels
were significantly associated with high-grade tumors. HE4 showed excellent diagnostic and
prognostic value with a sensitivity and specificity of over 90 percent.
Conclusion: We conclude that both serum and tissue expression of HE4 are sensitive, specific diagnostic
and prognostic biomarkers in endometrial adenocarcinoma. In addition, they can predict extra-
uterine involvement and staging of the disease.
