This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Philippoussis, F. Articles by Gosselin, D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Philippoussis, F. Articles by Gagné, D. Articles by Hugo, P. Articles by Gosselin, D. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Concentrations of Alpha-Fetoprotein, Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3, c-erbB-2, and Epidermal Growth Factor in Serum of Patients With Endometriosis

Danièle Gagné, MSc

Patrice Hugo, PhD

MetrioGene BioSciences (a subsidiary of PROCREA BioSciences), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Diane Gosselin, PhD

MetrioGene BioSciences (a subsidiary of PROCREA BioSciences), Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Conseillère Principale aux Investissements, Fonds de Solidarité de la FTQ, 545 Boulevard Crémazine Est, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H2M 2W4; dgosselin{at}fondsftq.com

Objective: Endometriosis, although it is a benign disorder, shares many similarities with cancer. There is incresing levels of evidence suggesting that some circulating factors involved in gynecologic cancers, such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), c-erbB-2) (HER-2/neu), and epidermal growth factor (EGF), could also play a role in endometriosis. Hence, the present study was aimed at evaluating whether the levels of these molecules are modulated in the serum of patients with endometriosis.

Methods: Levels of AFP, IGFBP-3, c-erbB-2, and EGF were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum from 36 subjects with surgically confirmed endometriosis and 36 controls with no surgical evidence of the disease. In addition, information such as demographic characteristics, personal habits, menstrual characteristics, and clinical profile was collected from each participating subject.

Results: No significant difference was found between serum levels of AFP, IGFBP-3, c-erbB-2, and EGF in patients with endometriosis and controls, even when we adjusted for potential confounders and took into account the menstrual cycle. Moreover, no correlation was observed between the serum concentrations of these molecules and the stage of the disease. However, a correlation was detected between soluble levels of IGFBP-3 and presence of uterine leiomyoma.

Conclusion: Although AFP, IGFBP-3, c-erbB-2, and EGF are not altered in the circulation of patients with endometriosis, their involvement in the development of endometriotic lesions cannot be excluded.

Key Words: Endometriosis • alpha-fetoprotein • IGFBP-3 • c-erbB-2 • EGF • serum

Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, Vol. 11, No. 3, 175-181 (2004)
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsgi.2003.10.005


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?