Amniotic fluid CA-125 as a marker of intra-amniotic inflammation associated with preterm delivery: a preliminary single center study

mRNA and Protein Expression in Human Fetal Membrane Cells: Potential Biomarkers for Preterm Prelabor Rupture of the Fetal Membranes?

Clinically, unique markers in fetal membrane cells may contribute to the search for biomarkers for preterm prelabor rupture of the fetal membranes (pPROM) in maternal blood. pPROM is associated with overwhelming inflammation and premature cellular senescence causing "biological microfractures" of the fetal membranes. We hypothesize that these pathological processes are associated with the shedding of fetal membrane cells into the maternal circulation. The aim of this study was to identify markers expressed exclusively in fetal membrane cells to facilitate their isolation, characterization, and determination of biomarker potential in maternal blood. We have (1), by their transcriptomic profile, identified markers that are upregulated in amnion and chorion tissue compared to maternal white blood cells, and (2), by immunohistochemistry, confirmed the localization of the differentially expressed proteins in fetal membranes, placenta, and the placental bed of the uterus. RNA sequencing revealed 31 transcripts in the amnion and 42 transcripts in the chorion that were upregulated. Among these, 22 proteins were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. All but two transcripts were expressed both on mRNA and protein level in at least one fetal membrane cell type. Among these remaining 20 proteins, 9 proteins were not significantly expressed in the villous and extravillous trophoblasts of the placenta.

Predicting miscarriage using systemic immune-inflammation index

AIM

To evaluate the clinical significance of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) for patients who had miscarriages.

MATERIALS

The retrospective study included 709 pregnant women who had a miscarriage (nonviable intrauterine pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation) and 676 women who carried a viable intrauterine pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation-serving as the control group. The study and the control group were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, laboratory test results, and SII values. Furthermore, laboratory test results and SII values were compared between patients in the study group and the control group with a history of genital bleeding (threatened abortion).

RESULTS

The mean gestational week of pregnancy was 9.5 ± 3 for the control group and 8.3 ± 2.5 for the study group (p = 0.150). The SII values were higher in the study group than in the control group (p = 0.030). In all participants with a clinical history of genital bleeding, the leukocyte count, neutrophil count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and SII values were higher in the miscarriage group than the group with viable fetus (p = 0.031, p = 0.003, p = 0.002, p < 0.001). Based on a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the SII cutoff value for miscarriage was 883.95 (10⁹ /L) (62.6% sensitivity, 62% specificity) in patients with a clinical history of threatened abortion.

CONCLUSION

High SII values in early pregnancy may be used as an additional marker for the prediction of miscarriage, in pregnant women with threatened abortion. Further prediction models including maternal risk factors and multiple markers may be more valuable for clinical practice.

CA125 and Ovarian Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Simple Summary

CA125 has been the most promising biomarker for screening ovarian cancer; however, it still does not have an acceptable accuracy in population-based screening for ovarian cancer. In this review article, we have discussed the role of CA125 in diagnosis, evaluating response to treatment and prognosis of ovarian cancer and provided some suggestions in improving the clinical utility of this biomarker in the early diagnosis of aggressive ovarian cancers. These include using CA125 to screen individuals with symptoms who seek medical care rather than screening the general population, increasing the cutoff point for the CA125 level in the plasma and performing the test at point-of-care rather than laboratory testing. By these strategies, we would detect more aggressive ovarian cancer patients in stages that the tumour can be completely removed by surgery, which is the most important factor in redusing recurrence rate and improving the survival of the patients with ovarian cancer.

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the second most lethal gynecological malignancy. The tumour biomarker CA125 has been used as the primary ovarian cancer marker for the past four decades. The focus on diagnosing ovarian cancer in stages I and II using CA125 as a diagnostic biomarker has not improved patients’ survival. Therefore, screening average-risk asymptomatic women with CA125 is not recommended by any professional society. The dualistic model of ovarian cancer carcinogenesis suggests that type II tumours are responsible for the majority of ovarian cancer mortality. However, type II tumours are rarely diagnosed in stages I and II. The recent shift of focus to the diagnosis of low volume type II ovarian cancer in its early stages of evolution provides a new and valuable target for screening. Type II ovarian cancers are usually diagnosed in advanced stages and have significantly higher CA125 levels than type I tumours. The detection of low volume type II carcinomas in stage IIIa/b is associated with a higher likelihood for optimal cytoreduction, the most robust prognostic indicator for ovarian cancer patients. The diagnosis of type II ovarian cancer in the early substages of stage III with CA125 may be possible using a higher cutoff point rather than the traditionally used 35 U/mL through the use of point-of-care CA125 assays in primary care facilities. Rapid point-of-care testing also has the potential for effective longitudinal screening and quick monitoring of ovarian cancer patients during and after treatment. This review covers the role of CA125 in the diagnosis and management of ovarian cancer and explores novel and more effective screening strategies with CA125.

Recurrence rates after abdominal and vaginal cerclages in women with cervical insufficiency: a validated cohort study

PURPOSE

To estimate the incidence of cervical insufficiency and compare recurrence rates of second trimester miscarriage/delivery in second and third pregnancies after prophylactic vaginal cerclage, abdominal cerclage, or no cerclage.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of a representative register-based sample of 621 women with a spontaneous second trimester miscarriage/delivery in the first pregnancy in Denmark (1997-2012). We used strict criteria for the diagnosis of cervical insufficiency. The outcome of subsequent pregnancies was described by treatment with prophylactic vaginal cerclage, abdominal cerclage, or no prophylactic cerclage. Women were followed until June 2015.

RESULTS

Of 621 women, 149 (24%) fulfilled the strict criteria of cervical insufficiency. Prophylactic treatment with abdominal cerclage (n = 20), vaginal cerclage (n = 59), and no prophylactic cerclage (n = 61) resulted in a second pregnancy ending before 28 weeks in 5, 30, and 72% (p < 0.001) and before 34 weeks in 10, 46, and 84% (p < 0.001), respectively. Take-home baby rate was 95% after abdominal cerclage, 73% after vaginal cerclage, and 33% after no cerclage. In a third pregnancy, abdominal cerclage (n = 47), vaginal cerclage (n = 38), and no cerclage (n = 8) resulted in pregnancy ending before 34 weeks of gestation in 2, 21, and 25%, respectively (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical insufficiency was diagnosed in 24% of women with an initial second trimester spontaneous miscarriage/delivery. In second and third pregnancies, recurrence rates were significantly lower after prophylactic vaginal or abdominal cerclage compared with no cerclage.

Preterm delivery and future maternal risk of female malignancies

PURPOSE

To investigate whether an association exists between preterm delivery and a future risk for female malignancies.

METHODS

A population-based study compared the incidence of long-term female malignancies in a cohort of women with and without a history of PTD. Deliveries occurred between the years 1988-2013, with a mean follow-up duration of 12 years. We excluded women with known genetic predisposition or malignancies prior to the index pregnancy. Malignancies investigated included ovarian, uterine, breast and cervix. Cumulative incidence was assessed using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for female malignancy.

RESULTS

During the study period, 105,033 women met the inclusion criteria; 16.8 % (n = 17,596) of the patients delivered preterm. Patients with a history of PTD did not have an increased risk of later being diagnosed with female malignancies. The results remained insignificant in a sub-analysis based on malignancy type, early PTD, induced vs. spontaneous, and number of episodes per patient. Kaplan-Meier cumulative incidence was similar between the groups, and the adjusted HR was not significant (1.04, 95 % CI 0.88-1.22; p = 0.665).

CONCLUSION

A history of PTD does not appear to elevate the risk for subsequent long-term female malignancies.