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.
Keywords: Human epidydmus 4, endometrial carcinoma, prognosis, biomarkers, PTEN, KRAS.
Graphical Abstract
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