Evaluation of erythrocyte band 3 phosphotyrosine level, glutathione content, CA-125, and human epididymal secretory protein E4 as combined parameters in endometriosis

Potential Theranostic Roles of SLC4 Molecules in Human Diseases

The solute carrier family 4 (SLC4) is an important protein responsible for the transport of various ions across the cell membrane and mediating diverse physiological functions, such as the ion transporting function, protein-to-protein interactions, and molecular transduction. The deficiencies in SLC4 molecules may cause multisystem disease involving, particularly, the respiratory system, digestive, urinary, endocrine, hematopoietic, and central nervous systems. Currently, there are no effective strategies to treat these diseases. SLC4 proteins are also found to contribute to tumorigenesis and development, and some of them are regarded as therapeutic targets in quite a few clinical trials. This indicates that SLC4 proteins have potential clinical prospects. In view of their functional characteristics, there is a critical need to review the specific functions of bicarbonate transporters, their related diseases, and the involved pathological mechanisms. We summarize the diseases caused by the mutations in SLC4 family genes and briefly introduce the clinical manifestations of these diseases as well as the current treatment strategies. Additionally, we illustrate their roles in terms of the physiology and pathogenesis that has been currently researched, which might be the future therapeutic and diagnostic targets of diseases and a new direction for drug research and development.

Role of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System and Cortisol in Endometriosis: A Preliminary Report

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with pelvic pain, infertility, and increased cardiovascular risk. Recent studies suggest a possible role of aldosterone as a pro-inflammatory hormone in the pathogenesis of the disease. Cortisol is also an important mediator of stress reaction, but its role is controversial in endometriosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate aldosterone and cortisol levels and blood pressure values in women with endometriosis. We measured blood pressure, plasma aldosterone, renin, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in 20 women with untreated minimal or mild pelvic endometriosis compared with 20 healthy controls matched for age and body mass index. Aldosterone values were similar in the two groups, while renin was significantly lower and the aldosterone to renin ratio was significantly higher in patients with endometriosis than in controls. Systolic blood pressure was in the normal range, but significantly higher in patients with endometriosis. Morning plasma cortisol was normal, but significantly lower in patients with endometriosis compared with controls, while DHEAS to cortisol ratio was similar in the two groups. These preliminary results are evidence of increased biological aldosterone activity and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in early stages of endometriosis. These alterations could play a role in disease development, suggesting new therapeutic targets for aldosterone receptor blockers.

Human epididymis protein 4 aggravates airway inflammation and remodeling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease characterized by chronic inflammation and airway remodeling. Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) plays a critical role in various inflammatory or fibrotic diseases. However, the role of HE4 in COPD remains unidentified.

Methods

HE4 expression was determined in the lung tissues from COPD patients and cigarette smoke (CS)-exposed mice using immunohistochemical staining, qPCR, or western blot. The plasma level of HE4 was detected by ELISA. The regulations of HE4 in the expressions of CS extract (CSE)-induced inflammatory cytokines in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE) were investigated through knockdown or overexpression of HE4. The role of secretory HE4 (sHE4) in the differentiation and proliferation in human pulmonary fibroblast cells (HPF) was explored via qPCR, western blot, CCK8 assay or 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining. The probe of related mechanism in CSE-induced HE4 increase in HBE was conducted by administrating N-acetylcysteine (NAC).

Results

HE4 was up-regulated in both the lung tissue and plasma of COPD patients relative to controls, and the plasma HE4 was negatively associated with lung function in COPD patients. The same enhanced HE4 expression was verified in CS-exposed mice and CSE-induced HBE, but CSE failed to increase HE4 expression in HPF. In vitro experiments showed that reducing HE4 expression in HBE alleviated CSE-induced IL-6 release while overexpressing HE4 facilitated IL-6 expression, mechanistically through affecting phosphorylation of NFκB-p65, whereas intervening HE4 expression had no distinctive influence on IL-8 secretion. Furthermore, we confirmed that sHE4 promoted fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, as indicated by promoting the expression of fibronectin, collagen I and α-SMA via phosphorylation of Smad2. EdU staining and CCK-8 assay demonstrated the pro-proliferative role of sHE4 in HPF, which was further confirmed by enhanced expression of survivin and PCNA. Pretreatment of NAC in CSE or H₂O₂-induced HBE mitigated HE4 expression.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that HE4 may participate in airway inflammation and remodeling of COPD. Cigarette smoke enhances HE4 expression and secretion in bronchial epithelium mediated by oxidative stress. Increased HE4 promotes IL-6 release in HBE via phosphorylation of NFκB-p65, and sHE4 promotes fibroblastic differentiation and proliferation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-022-02040-7.

Role of SLC4 and SLC26 solute carriers during oxidative stress

Bicarbonate is one of the major anions in mammalian tissues and fluids, is utilized by various exchangers to transport other ions and organic substrates across cell membranes and plays a critical role in cell and systemic pH homoeostasis. Chloride/bicarbonate (Cl⁻/HCO₃⁻) exchangers are abundantly expressed in erythrocytes and epithelial cells and, as a consequence, are particularly exposed to oxidants in the systemic circulation and at the interface with the external environment. Here, we review the physiological functions and pathophysiological alterations of Cl⁻/HCO₃⁻ exchangers belonging to the solute carriers SLC4 and SLC26 superfamilies in relation to oxidative stress. Particularly well studied is the impact of oxidative stress on the red blood cell SLC4A1/AE1 (Band 3 protein), of which the function seems to be directly affected by oxidative stress and possibly involves oxidation of the transporter itself or its interacting proteins, with detrimental consequences in oxidative stress‐related diseases including inflammation, metabolic dysfunctions and ageing. The effect of oxidative stress on SLC26 members was less extensively explored. Indirect evidence suggests that SLC26 transporters can be target as well as determinants of oxidative stress, especially when their expression is abolished or dysregulated.

Endometriosis Susceptibility to Dapsone-Hydroxylamine-Induced Alterations Can Be Prevented by Licorice Intake: In Vivo and In Vitro Study

Endometriosis, an estrogen-dependent chronic gynecological disease, is characterized by a systemic inflammation that affects circulating red blood cells (RBC), by reducing anti-oxidant defenses. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential beneficial effects of licorice intake to protect RBCs from dapsone hydroxylamine (DDS-NHOH), a harmful metabolite of dapsone, commonly used in the treatment of many diseases. A control group (CG, n = 12) and a patient group (PG, n = 18) were treated with licorice extract (25 mg/day), for a week. Blood samples before (T₀) and after (T₁) treatment were analyzed for: i) band 3 tyrosine phosphorylation and high molecular weight aggregates; and ii) glutathionylation and carbonic anhydrase activity, in the presence or absence of adjunctive oxidative stress induced by DDS-NHOH. Results were correlated with plasma glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) concentrations, measured by HPLC–MS. Results showed that licorice intake decreased the level of DDS-NHOH-related oxidative alterations in RBCs, and the reduction was directly correlated with plasma GA concentration. In conclusion, in PG, the inability to counteract oxidative stress is a serious concern in the evaluation of therapeutic approaches. GA, by protecting RBC from oxidative assault, as in dapsone therapy, might be considered as a new potential tool for preventing further switching into severe endometriosis.

Ameliorative effect of myo-inositol on red blood cell alterations in polycystic ovary syndrome: in vitro study

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)is a gynecological endocrine disorder which is associated with systemic inflammatory status inducing red blood cells (RBC) membrane alterations related to insulin resistance and testosterone levels which could be greatly improved by myo-inositol (MYO) uptake. In this study we aim to evaluate the effect of MYO in reducing oxidative-related alterations through in vitro study on PCOS RBC. Blood samples from two groups of volunteers, control group (CG, n = 12) and PCOS patient group (PG, n = 12), were analyzed for band 3 tyrosine phosphorylation (Tyr-P), high molecular weight aggregate (HMWA), IgG in RBC membranes, and glutathione (GSH) in cytosol, following O/N incubation in the presence or absence of MYO. PCOS RBC underwent oxidative stress as indicated by higher band 3 Tyr-P and HMWA and increased membrane bound autologous IgG. Twenty four hours (but not shorter time) MYO incubation, significantly improved both Tyr-P level and HMWA formation and concomitant membrane IgG binding. However, no relevant modification of GSH content was detected. PCOS RBC membranes are characterized by increased oxidized level and enhanced sensitivity to oxidative injuries leading to potential premature RBC removal. MYO treatment is effective in reducing oxidative related abnormalities in PCOS patients probably restoring the inositol phospholipid pools of the membranes.

Dapsone hydroxylamine-mediated alterations in human red blood cells from endometriotic patients

Endometriosis, an estrogen-dependent chronic gynecological disease in women of reproductive age, is characterized by a systemic inflammation status involving also red blood cells (RBCs). In this study, we evaluated how the protein oxidative status could be involved in the worsening of RBC conditions due to dapsone intake in endometriotic women in potential treatment for skin or infection diseases. Blood samples from two groups of volunteers, control group (CG) and endometriosis patient group (PG), were analyzed for their content of band 3 tyrosine phosphorylation (Tyr-P) and high molecular weight aggregate (HMWA) in membranes, and glutathione (GSH) content and carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in cytosol. In endometriotic patients, RBC showed the highest level of oxidative-related alterations both in membrane and cytosol. More interestingly, the addition of dapsone hydroxylamine (DDS-NHOH) could induce further increase of both membranes and cytosol markers, with an enhancement of CA activity reaching about 66% of the total cell enzyme amount. In conclusion, in PG the systemic inflammatory status leads to the inability of counteracting adjunctive oxidative stress, with a potential involvement of CA-related pathologies, such as glaucoma. Hence, the importance of the evaluation of therapeutic approaches worsening oxidative imbalance present in PG RBC is underlined.

Physiopathological factors affecting the diagnostic value of serum HE4-test for gynecologic malignancies

Serum epididymis protein 4 (HE4) represents a useful biomarker for the management of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer patients. However, HE4 levels are affected by many physiopathological conditions or disorders that should be taken into consideration for an efficient application of this biomarker. Areas covered: The review provides an up-to-date reference on the multiple physiopathological factors that cause fluctuation of HE4 serum levels, and evaluates their impact on HE4-test in clinical settings. Potential mechanisms underlying the regulation of HE4 expression are also discussed. The review is based on data from literature search of PubMed and the author's opinions. Expert commentary: Studies have shown that physiopathological factors such as age, infection/inflammation, renal function, menopause and hormonal levels impose significant impacts on HE4 serum levels. HE4 amount shed into the circulation is related to HE4 expression and secretion by tumor as well as normal tissues, which is affected by cancer heterogeneity, vascular permeability, renal clearance and HE4 degradation. Investigation on interfering factors builds a basis for the construction of a quantitative logarithm for individualized application of HE4-test in clinical settings.

Utility Serum Marker HE4 for the Differential Diagnosis Between Endometriosis and Adnexal Malignancy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess the utility of serum human epididymal secretory protein E4 (HE4) biomarker in the differential diagnosis of endometriosis and adnexal malignancies.

METHODS

Multicentric prospective observational study between January 2010 and December 2011 in 4 European centers (Italy, Portugal, Latvia, and Spain) was carried out. We collected 981 healthy patients diagnosed with adnexal patology and selected 65 patients diagnosed with endometriosis and analyzed their serum markers CA125, HE4, and Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) index. We also analyzed all cases of malignant histology and divided them according to CA125 levels (negative, ≤35 U/mL; intermediate, >35-150 U/mL; and highly positive, >150 U/mL).

RESULTS

HE4 was positive only in 1.5% of cases, CA125 in 64.6%, and ROMA index in 14.1%. In the subgroup intermediate CA125 values, positive HE4 is very specific (91.2%) correctly classifying patients with benign disease, but with lower sensibility (66.1%); however, ROMA index showed a high sensibility (89.3%), with a false-positive rate of 42.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

HE4 can be a very useful biomarker to exclude malignant disease in patients with endometriosis.

Increased concentration of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in follicular fluid of infertile women with endometriosis

Impaired oocyte quality and oxidative stress might be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis-related infertility. To improve our understanding of the role of oxidative stress in this condition, we compare eight oxidative stress markers from each stage, including the simultaneous analysis of lipids, proteins and DNA damage, in the serum and follicular fluid of infertile women with endometriosis and infertile controls undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. In total, 87 serum samples (43 with endometriosis, 44 controls) and 61 follicular fluid samples (29 with endometriosis, 32 controls) free of blood contamination upon visual inspection and presenting granulosa cells alone or granulosa cells plus a retrieved mature oocyte were collected on the day of oocyte retrieval. Total hydroperoxides, malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined by spectrophotometry, vitamin E by high-performance liquid chromatography and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The endometriosis group showed higher serum concentrations of glutathione and SOD, lower serum concentrations of TAC and higher follicular concentrations of 8OHdG and vitamin E compared with infertile controls. These data indicate both systemic and follicular oxidative stress in infertile patients with endometriosis. For the first time, we demonstrate the presence of oxidative DNA damage, represented by higher 8OHdG concentrations in the follicular microenvironment of these patients, possibly related to compromised oocyte quality and associated with the pathogenesis of endometriosis-related infertility.

Blood biomarkers for the non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis

BACKGROUND

About 10% of reproductive-aged women suffer from endometriosis, a costly chronic disease causing pelvic pain and subfertility. Laparoscopy is the gold standard diagnostic test for endometriosis, but is expensive and carries surgical risks. Currently, there are no non-invasive or minimally invasive tests available in clinical practice to accurately diagnose endometriosis. Although other reviews have assessed the ability of blood tests to diagnose endometriosis, this is the first review to use Cochrane methods, providing an update on the rapidly expanding literature in this field.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate blood biomarkers as replacement tests for diagnostic surgery and as triage tests to inform decisions on surgery for endometriosis. Specific objectives include:1. To provide summary estimates of the diagnostic accuracy of blood biomarkers for the diagnosis of peritoneal, ovarian and deep infiltrating pelvic endometriosis, compared to surgical diagnosis as a reference standard.2. To assess the diagnostic utility of biomarkers that could differentiate ovarian endometrioma from other ovarian masses.

SEARCH METHODS

We did not restrict the searches to particular study designs, language or publication dates. We searched CENTRAL to July 2015, MEDLINE and EMBASE to May 2015, as well as these databases to 20 April 2015: CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, LILACS, OAIster, TRIP, ClinicalTrials.gov, DARE and PubMed.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We considered published, peer-reviewed, randomised controlled or cross-sectional studies of any size, including prospectively collected samples from any population of reproductive-aged women suspected of having one or more of the following target conditions: ovarian, peritoneal or deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). We included studies comparing the diagnostic test accuracy of one or more blood biomarkers with the findings of surgical visualisation of endometriotic lesions.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently collected and performed a quality assessment of data from each study. For each diagnostic test, we classified the data as positive or negative for the surgical detection of endometriosis, and we calculated sensitivity and specificity estimates. We used the bivariate model to obtain pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity whenever sufficient datasets were available. The predetermined criteria for a clinically useful blood test to replace diagnostic surgery were a sensitivity of 0.94 and a specificity of 0.79 to detect endometriosis. We set the criteria for triage tests at a sensitivity of ≥ 0.95 and a specificity of ≥ 0.50, which 'rules out' the diagnosis with high accuracy if there is a negative test result (SnOUT test), or a sensitivity of ≥ 0.50 and a specificity of ≥ 0.95, which 'rules in' the diagnosis with high accuracy if there is a positive result (SpIN test).

MAIN RESULTS

We included 141 studies that involved 15,141 participants and evaluated 122 blood biomarkers. All the studies were of poor methodological quality. Studies evaluated the blood biomarkers either in a specific phase of the menstrual cycle or irrespective of the cycle phase, and they tested for them in serum, plasma or whole blood. Included women were a selected population with a high frequency of endometriosis (10% to 85%), in which surgery was indicated for endometriosis, infertility work-up or ovarian mass. Seventy studies evaluated the diagnostic performance of 47 blood biomarkers for endometriosis (44 single-marker tests and 30 combined tests of two to six blood biomarkers). These were angiogenesis/growth factors, apoptosis markers, cell adhesion molecules, high-throughput markers, hormonal markers, immune system/inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers, microRNAs, tumour markers and other proteins. Most of these biomarkers were assessed in small individual studies, often using different cut-off thresholds, and we could only perform meta-analyses on the data sets for anti-endometrial antibodies, interleukin-6 (IL-6), cancer antigen-19.9 (CA-19.9) and CA-125. Diagnostic estimates varied significantly between studies for each of these biomarkers, and CA-125 was the only marker with sufficient data to reliably assess sources of heterogeneity.The mean sensitivities and specificities of anti-endometrial antibodies (4 studies, 759 women) were 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76 to 0.87) and 0.75 (95% CI 0.46 to 1.00). For IL-6, with a cut-off value of > 1.90 to 2.00 pg/ml (3 studies, 309 women), sensitivity was 0.63 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.75) and specificity was 0.69 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.82). For CA-19.9, with a cut-off value of > 37.0 IU/ml (3 studies, 330 women), sensitivity was 0.36 (95% CI 0.26 to 0.45) and specificity was 0.87 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.99).Studies assessed CA-125 at different thresholds, demonstrating the following mean sensitivities and specificities: for cut-off > 10.0 to 14.7 U/ml: 0.70 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.77) and 0.64 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.82); for cut-off > 16.0 to 17.6 U/ml: 0.56 (95% CI 0.24, 0.88) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.75, 1.00); for cut-off > 20.0 U/ml: 0.67 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.85) and 0.69 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.80); for cut-off > 25.0 to 26.0 U/ml: 0.73 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.79) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.77); for cut-off > 30.0 to 33.0 U/ml: 0.62 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.79) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.53 to 1.00); and for cut-off > 35.0 to 36.0 U/ml: 0.40 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.49) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.94).We could not statistically evaluate other biomarkers meaningfully, including biomarkers that were assessed for their ability to differentiate endometrioma from other benign ovarian cysts.Eighty-two studies evaluated 97 biomarkers that did not differentiate women with endometriosis from disease-free controls. Of these, 22 biomarkers demonstrated conflicting results, with some studies showing differential expression and others no evidence of a difference between the endometriosis and control groups.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Of the biomarkers that were subjected to meta-analysis, none consistently met the criteria for a replacement or triage diagnostic test. A subset of blood biomarkers could prove useful either for detecting pelvic endometriosis or for differentiating ovarian endometrioma from other benign ovarian masses, but there was insufficient evidence to draw meaningful conclusions. Overall, none of the biomarkers displayed enough accuracy to be used clinically outside a research setting. We also identified blood biomarkers that demonstrated no diagnostic value in endometriosis and recommend focusing research resources on evaluating other more clinically useful biomarkers.

The Impact of Endometriosis across the Lifespan of Women: Foreseeable Research and Therapeutic Prospects

In addition to estrogen dependence, endometriosis is characterized by chronic pelvic inflammation. The impact of the chronic pelvic inflammatory state on other organ systems and women's health is unclear. Endometriosis associated chronic inflammation and potential adverse health effects across the lifespan render it imperative for renewed research vigor into the identification of novel biomarkers of disease and therapeutic options. Herein we propose a number of opportunities for research and development of new therapeutics to address the unmet needs in the treatment of endometriosis per se and its ancillary risks for other diseases in women across the lifespan.

Increased oxidation-related glutathionylation and carbonic anhydrase activity in endometriosis

This study examined the possible involvement of carbonic anhydrase activation in response to an endometriosis-related increase in oxidative stress. Peripheral blood samples obtained from 27 healthy controls and 30 endometriosis patients, classified as having endometriosis by histological examination of surgical specimens, were analysed by multiple immunoassay and carbonic anhydrase activity assay. Red blood cells (RBC) were analysed for glutathionylated protein (GSSP) content in the membrane, total glutathione (GSH) in the cytosol and carbonic anhydrase concentration and activity. In association with a membrane increase of GSSP and a cytosolic decrease of GSH content in endometriosis patients, carbonic anhydrase significantly increased (P < 0.0001) both monomerization and activity compared with controls. This oxidation-induced activation of carbonic anhydrase was positively and significantly correlated with the GSH content of RBC (r = 0.9735, P < 0.001) and with the amount of the 30-kDa monomer of carbonic anhydrase (r = 0.9750, P < 0.001). Because carbonic anhydrase activation is implied in many physiological and biochemical processes linked to pathologies such as glaucoma, hypertension, obesity and infections, carbonic anhydrase activity should be closely monitored in endometriosis. These data open promising working perspectives for diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis and hopefully of other oxidative stress-related diseases. Endometriosis is a chronic disease associated with infertility and local inflammatory response, which is thought to spread rapidly throughout the body as a systemic subclinical inflammation. One of the causes in the pathogenesis/evolution of endometriosis is oxidative stress, which occurs when reactive oxygen species are produced faster than the endogenous antioxidant defence systems can neutralize them. Once produced, reactive oxygen species can alter the morphological and functional properties of endothelial cells, including permeability and adhesion molecule expression, thus contributing to ongoing inflammation. Due to their main cellular functions--delivery of O2 from lung to tissue and removal of CO2 from tissue to lung--red blood cells (RBC) are exposed to oxidative stress. Carbon dioxide in tissue capillaries diffuses into red cells, where it is rapidly hydrated by the action of cytosolic carbonic anhydrase. Analysis of the oxidation status of endometriotic RBC membranes showed a high content of glutathionylated proteins, indicating pre-existing oxidation-related alterations. The increase in glutathionylated proteins was correlated to increased carbonic anhydrase activity in endometriotic RBC compared with healthy controls. Carbonic anhydrase is a family of metalloenzymes involved in many physiological processes such as acid-base homeostasis, respiration, carbon dioxide and ion transport, and bone resorption, and in the regulation of ureagenesis, gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis and tumourigenesis. Due to the potential implication of carbonic anhydrase activation in many pathologies, such as glaucoma, hypertension, obesity and infections, carbonic anhydrase activity should be closely monitored in endometriosis to prevent possible complications and/or worsening of related conditions.

Is CA72-4 a useful biomarker in differential diagnosis between ovarian endometrioma and epithelial ovarian cancer?

Background. Surgical excision of ovarian endometriomas in patients desiring pregnancy has recently been criticized because of the risk of damage to healthy ovarian tissue and consequent reduction of ovarian reserve. A correct diagnosis in cases not scheduled for surgery is therefore mandatory in order to avoid unexpected ovarian cancer misdiagnosis. Endometriosis is often associated with high levels of CA125. This marker is therefore not useful for discriminating ovarian endometrioma from ovarian malignancy. The aim of this study was to establish if the serum marker CA72-4 could be helpful in the differential diagnosis between ovarian endometriosis and epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods. Serums CA125 and CA72-4 were measured in 72 patients with ovarian endometriomas and 55 patients with ovarian cancer. Results. High CA125 concentrations were observed in patients with ovarian endometriosis and in those with ovarian cancer. A marked difference in CA72-4 values was observed between women with ovarian cancer (71.0%) and patients with endometriosis (13.8%) (P < 0.0001). Conclusions. This study suggests that CA72-4 determination can be useful to confirm the benign nature of ovarian endometriomas in women with high CA125 levels.

HE4 in gynecological cancers: report of a European investigators and experts meeting

The HE4 protein, which belongs to the “ four disulfi de ” acid protein group, has emerged as one of the most promising biomarkers in gynecologic oncology. An expert meeting on the analytical and clinical performance of the quantitative determination of HE4 was held in November 2011, involving 25 clinical and laboratory specialists from 16 European countries.The aim of the meeting was to present and discuss the results of recent studies on the use of HE4 and on the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA), which combines the results of HE4 and CA 125. The meeting was structured in separate sessions focusing on ovarian cancer risk stratification, differential diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring and with diagnosis and monitoring of endometrial cancer. We present here a summary of the data and evidence, presented, together with consensus statements on the different topics, where available,and suggestions for further studies and evaluations required to establish optimal use of HE4, either alone or in combination with other markers, for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in gynecological malignancies. Available evidences support the utility of this new cancer biomarker for risk stratification,prognosis and monitoring of epithelial ovarian cancer and of endometrial cancer.

The use of HE4, CA125 and CA72-4 biomarkers for differential diagnosis between ovarian endometrioma and epithelial ovarian cancer

Background

Endometriosis is frequently associated with high levels of CA125. This marker is therefore not useful for discriminating ovarian endometrioma from ovarian malignancy. The aim of this study was to establish a panel of complementary biomarkers that could be helpful in the differential diagnosis between ovarian endometriosis or other ovarian benign masses and ovarian cancer.

Methods

Blood samples from 50 healthy women, 17 patients with benign ovarian tumors, 57 patients with ovarian endometrioma and 39 patients with ovarian cancer were analyzed and serum values were measured for the following biomarkers: CA125, HE4 and CA72-4.

Results

Serum CA125 concentration was elevated in both patients with ovarian endometriosis and ovarian cancer but not in patients with other benign ovarian masses. HE4 was never increased in patients with endometriosis or benign masses whereas it was significantly higher in all patients with ovarian cancer (p < 0.05). A marked difference in CA72-4 values was observed between women with ovarian cancer (67%) and those with endometriosis (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The results of the study suggest that HE4 and CA72-4 determination is the best approach to confirm the benign nature of ovarian endometrioma in women with high CA125 levels.

Human red blood cells alterations in primary aldosteronism

CONTEXT

Aldosterone (Aldo) effects include NADPH oxidase activation involved in Aldo-related oxidative stress. Red blood cells (RBCs) are particularly sensitive to oxidative assault, and both the formation of high molecular weight aggregates (HMWAs) and the diamide-induced Tyr phosphorylation (Tyr-P) level of membrane band 3 can be used to monitor their redox status.

OBJECTIVE

The Aldo-related alterations in erythrocytes were evaluated by comparing in vitro evidence.

DESIGN

This was a multicenter comparative study.

STUDY PARTICIPANTS

The study included 12 patients affected by primary aldosteronism (PA) and 6 healthy control subjects (HCs), whose RBCs were compared with those of patients with PA. For in vitro experiments, RBCs from HCs were incubated with increasing Aldo concentrations.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The Tyr-P level, band 3 HMWA formation, and autologous IgG binding were evaluated.

RESULTS

In patients with PA, both Tyr-P levels and band 3 HMWAs were higher than those in HCs. RBCs from HCs were treated with increasing Aldo concentrations in both platelet-poor plasma (PPP) and charcoal-stripped (CS)-PPP. Results showed that Aldo had dose- and time-dependent effects on band 3 Tyr-P and HMWA formation in CS-PPP more than in PPP. These effects were almost completely prevented by canrenone or cortisol. Aldo-related membrane alterations led to increased autologous IgG binding.

CONCLUSIONS

Erythrocytes from patients with PA show oxidative-like stress evidenced by increased HMWA content and diamide-induced band 3 Tyr-P level. Aldo effects are mediated by the mineralocorticoid receptor, as suggested by the inhibitory effects of canrenone, an antagonist of Aldo. In CS-PPP, in which Aldo induces remarkable membrane alterations leading to IgG binding, Aldo may be responsible for premature RBC removal from circulation.

Significance of HE4 estimation in comparison with CA125 in diagnosis of ovarian cancer and assessment of treatment response

BACKGROUND

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a novel and specific biomarker for ovarian cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate a new tumor marker, HE4, in comparison with CA125 in diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and benign gynecological diseases.

METHODS

CA125 and HE4 serum levels were determined in 30 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (21 serous, 6 endometrioid and 3 mucinous tumors), 20 patients with benign gynecological diseases (8 patients with ovarian cyst, 5 patients with endometriosis, 4 patients with fibroid and 3 patients with pelvic inflammatory disease) and 20 healthy women. CA125 and HE4 cut-offs were 35 U/ml and 150 pmol/l, respectively.

RESULTS

Serum HE4 and CA125 concentrations were significantly higher in the ovarian cancer patients compared with those seen in patients with benign disease or in the healthy controls (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). In the receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC), the area under the curve (AUC) values for HE4 was 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-1.0) and CA125 was 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.7-0.94). Compared to CA125, HE4 had higher sensitivity (90% vs. 83.3%), specificity (95% vs. 85%), PPV (93.1% vs. 80.7%) and NPV (92.7% vs. 87.2%), the combination of HE4 + CA125 the sensitivity and PPV reached 96.7% and 97% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Measuring serum HE4 concentrations along with CA125 concentrations may provide higher accuracy for detecting epithelial ovarian cancer.

VIRTUAL SLIDES

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1060413168685759.

Significance of HE4 estimation in comparison with CA125 in diagnosis of ovarian cancer and assessment of treatment response

BACKGROUND

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a novel and specific biomarker for ovarian cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate a new tumor marker, HE4, in comparison with CA125 in diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and benign gynecological diseases.

METHODS

CA125 and HE4 serum levels were determined in 30 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (21 serous, 6 endometrioid and 3 mucinous tumors), 20 patients with benign gynecological diseases (8 patients with ovarian cyst, 5 patients with endometriosis, 4 patients with fibroid and 3 patients with pelvic inflammatory disease) and 20 healthy women. CA125 and HE4 cut-offs were 35 U/ml and 150 pmol/l, respectively.

RESULTS

Serum HE4 and CA125 concentrations were significantly higher in the ovarian cancer patients compared with those seen in patients with benign disease or in the healthy controls (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). In the receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC), the area under the curve (AUC) values for HE4 was 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-1.0) and CA125 was 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.7-0.94). Compared to CA125, HE4 had higher sensitivity (90% vs. 83.3%), specificity (95% vs. 85%), PPV (93.1% vs. 80.7%) and NPV (92.7% vs. 87.2%), the combination of HE4 + CA125 the sensitivity and PPV reached 96.7% and 97% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Measuring serum HE4 concentrations along with CA125 concentrations may provide higher accuracy for detecting epithelial ovarian cancer.

VIRTUAL SLIDES

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1060413168685759.

Significance of HE4 estimation in comparison with CA125 in diagnosis of ovarian cancer and assessment of treatment response

BACKGROUND

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a novel and specific biomarker for ovarian cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate a new tumor marker, HE4, in comparison with CA125 in diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and benign gynecological diseases.

METHODS

CA125 and HE4 serum levels were determined in 30 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (21 serous, 6 endometrioid and 3 mucinous tumors), 20 patients with benign gynecological diseases (8 patients with ovarian cyst, 5 patients with endometriosis, 4 patients with fibroid and 3 patients with pelvic inflammatory disease) and 20 healthy women. CA125 and HE4 cut-offs were 35 U/ml and 150 pmol/l, respectively.

RESULTS

Serum HE4 and CA125 concentrations were significantly higher in the ovarian cancer patients compared with those seen in patients with benign disease or in the healthy controls (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). In the receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC), the area under the curve (AUC) values for HE4 was 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-1.0) and CA125 was 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.7-0.94). Compared to CA125, HE4 had higher sensitivity (90% vs. 83.3%), specificity (95% vs. 85%), PPV (93.1% vs. 80.7%) and NPV (92.7% vs. 87.2%), the combination of HE4 + CA125 the sensitivity and PPV reached 96.7% and 97% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Measuring serum HE4 concentrations along with CA125 concentrations may provide higher accuracy for detecting epithelial ovarian cancer.

VIRTUAL SLIDES

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1060413168685759.

Human epididymis protein 4 in cancer diagnostics: a promising and reliable tumor marker

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a member of the "four-disulfide core" family that comprises a heterogeneous group of small acid- and heat-stable proteins of divergent function. Although there is an exponential growth of evidence that HE4 is a valuable tumor marker for ovarian malignancies, the exploration of the usefulness of this glycoprotein in the large tumor landscape is still ongoing. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, and bead-based array system are the preferred analytical methods for measuring HE4 concentration. Serum and urinary HE4 levels appear to be more affected by carcinogenesis than by other pathologic processes. Apart from the malignancy itself, histological type of cancer, cancer stage, and menopausal status affects HE4 concentration. An important objective in nowadays research remains the development of a tumor marker panel with a sufficient accuracy for risk assessment, early diagnosis, prognosis, and response to therapeutic treatment of cancer.

The use of HE4 in the prediction of ovarian cancer in Asian women with a pelvic mass

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) for distinguishing between benign and malignant pelvis masses in Asian women.

METHODS

This was a prospective, multicenter (n=6) study with patients from six Asian countries. Patients had a pelvic mass on imaging and were scheduled to undergo surgery. Serum CA125 and HE4 were measured on preoperative samples. CA125, HE4, and ROMA were evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV).

RESULTS

A total of 414 women with an adnexal mass were evaluated, of which 65 had epithelial ovarian (EOC) cancer, 16 had borderline tumors and 11 had other malignant diseases. Compared to CA125, HE4 had lower sensitivity (56.9% vs 90.8%) and NPV (91.8% vs 97.3%), but improved specificity (96.9% vs 67.1%) and PPV (78.7% vs 35.8%) for differentiating between benign pelvic mass and EOC. ROMA had similar sensitivity (89.2% vs 90.8%) and NPV (97.6% vs 97.3%) as CA125, but showed improved specificity (87.3% vs 67.1%) and PPV (58.6% vs 35.8%). ROMA accurately predicted 87.3% of benign cases as low risk, and 82.6% of stage I/II EOC and 89.2% of all EOC as high risk.

CONCLUSION

ROMA showed similar sensitivity as CA125 but improved specificity and PPV, especially in premenopausal women. Using ROMA may help predict if a pelvic mass is benign or malignant and facilitate subsequent management planning.

Inositol administration reduces oxidative stress in erythrocytes of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Possibly due to a deficiency of insulin mediators, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is often associated with insulin resistance (IR) and hyperinsulinemia, likely responsible for an elevated production of reactive oxygen species. We investigated oxidative-related alterations in erythrocytes and anti-inflammatory effects of inositol in women with PCOS before and after treatment with myo-inositol (MYO).

METHODS

Twenty-six normal-weight PCOS patients were investigated before and after MYO administration (1200 mg/day for 12 weeks; n=18) or placebo (n=8) by evaluating serum testosterone, serum androstenedione, fasting serum insulin, fasting serum glucose, insulin area under the curve (AUC), and glucose AUC after oral glucose tolerance test and homeostasis model of assessment-IR. In erythrocytes, band 3 tyrosine phosphorylation (Tyr-P) level, glutathione (GSH) content, and glutathionylated proteins (GSSP) were also assessed.

RESULTS

Data show that PCOS patients' erythrocytes underwent oxidative stress as indicated by band 3 Tyr-P values, reduced cytosolic GSH content, and increased membrane protein glutathionylation. MYO treatment significantly improved metabolic and biochemical parameters. Significant reductions were found in IR and serum values of androstenedione and testosterone. A significant association between band 3 Tyr-P levels and insulin AUC was found at baseline but disappeared after MYO treatment, while a correlation between band 3 Tyr-P and testosterone levels was detected both before and after MYO treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

PCOS patients suffer from a systemic inflammatory status that induces erythrocyte membrane alterations. Treatment with MYO is effective in reducing hormonal, metabolic, and oxidative abnormalities in PCOS patients by improving IR.

Serum human epididymis protein 4 and risk for ovarian malignancy algorithm as new diagnostic and prognostic tools for epithelial ovarian cancer management

BACKGROUND

The aim of this work was to analyze the diagnostic and prognostic value of serum human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and Risk for Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

METHODS

Preoperative serum samples of 419 women (140 healthy controls, 131 ovarian benign cysts, 34 endometriosis, and 114 EOC) were tested for CA125 and HE4 using fully automated methods (Abbott ARCHITECT) and validated cutoff values.

RESULTS

For the discrimination of benign masses from EOC, in premenopausal women, the sensitivity and specificity were 92.3% and 59.4% for CA125, 84.6% and 94.2% for HE4, and 84.6% and 81.2% for ROMA, whereas in postmenopausal women, the sensitivity and specificity were 94.3% and 82.3% for CA125, 78.2% and 99.0% for HE4, and 93.1% and 84.4% for ROMA. In patients with EOC, elevated CA125, HE4, and ROMA levels were associated with advanced Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (FIGO) stage, suboptimally debulking, ascites, positive cytology, lymph node involvement, and advanced age (all P ≤ 0.05). Elevated HE4 and ROMA (both P ≤ 0.01), but not CA125 (P = 0.0579), were associated with undifferentiated tumors. In multivariable analysis, elevated HE4 and ROMA (all P ≤ 0.05) were independent prognostic factors for shorter overall, disease-free, and progression-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPACT

This study underlines the high specificity of HE4 in discriminating endometriosis and ovarian benign cysts from EOC and the high sensitivity of CA125 in detecting EOC. We showed HE4 and ROMA as independent prognostic factors. Multicenter studies are needed to draw firm conclusions about the applicability of HE4 and ROMA in clinical practice.

Dapsone hydroxylamine induces premature removal of human erythrocytes by membrane reorganization and antibody binding

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

N-hydroxylation of dapsone leads to the formation of the toxic hydroxylamines responsible for the clinical methaemoglobinaemia associated with dapsone therapy. Dapsone has been associated with decreased lifespan of erythrocytes, with consequences such as anaemia and morbidity in patients treated with dapsone for malaria. Here, we investigated how dapsone and/or its hydroxylamine derivative (DDS-NHOH) induced erythrocyte membrane alterations that could lead to premature cell removal.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Erythrocytes from healthy donors were subjected to incubation with dapsone and DDS-NHOH for varying times and the band 3 protein tyrosine-phosphorylation process, band 3 aggregation, membrane alteration and IgG binding were all examined and compared with erythrocytes from two patients receiving dapsone therapy.

KEY RESULTS

The hydroxylamine derivative, but not dapsone (the parent sulphone) altered membrane protein interactions, leading both to aggregation of band 3 protein and to circulating autologous antibody binding, shown in erythrocytes from patients receiving dapsone therapy. The band 3 tyrosine-phosphorylation process can be used as a diagnostic system to monitor membrane alterations both in vitro, assessing concentration and time-dependent effects of DDS-NHOH treatment, and in vivo, evaluating erythrocytes from dapsone-treated patients, in resting or oxidatively stimulated conditions.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

DDS-NHOH-induced alterations of human erythrocytes can be directly monitored in vitro by tyrosine-phosphorylation level and formation of band 3 protein aggregates. The latter, together with antibody-mediated labelling of erythrocytes, also observed after clinical use of dapsone, may lead to shortening of erythrocyte lifespan.