CT imaging phenotypes linked to CA125 and HE4 biomarkers are highly predictive in discriminating between hereditary and sporadic ovarian cancer patients
BACKGROUND:
Hereditary ovarian cancers (HOC) represent about 23% of ovarian cancer (OC) cases: they are most frequently related to germline mutations in the BRCA genes.
OBJECTIVE:
We aimed to compare CA125/HE4 serum levels and Computed Tomography (CT) features at time of ovarian cancer (OC) diagnosis in two populations: BRCA mutant and BRCA wild-type (WT) OC, and to investigate the relationship between this laboratory and radiological biomarker and BRCA mutation status.
METHODS:
This retrospective study included 60 newly diagnosed OC patients with FIGO stage IIIC-IV disease, tested for BRCA1/2 germline mutation status of which preoperative CT scan and serum tumor marker assay were available.
RESULTS:
The median level of CA125 (708 U/mL) was significantly higher ( p < 0.002) in BRCA1/2 mutated patients than in WT patients (176 U/mL), whereas the median level of HE4 (492 pmol/L) was significantly higher ( p < 0.002) in WT than in BRCA-mutated patients (252 pmol/L). BRCA mutation carriers showed a higher incidence of bilateral ovarian masses ( p = 0.0303) characterized by solid structures ( p < 0.00001), higher peritoneal tumor load, macronodular implants >2 cm ( p = 0.000099), increased frequency of lymphadenopathies ( p = 0.019), and metastasis ( p = 0.052) compared to patients with BRCA WT.
CONCLUSIONS:
Tumor markers and CT patterns may help in identifying BRCA mutation status in OC directing patients towards a personalized treatment.