High Concentrations of Activin A in the Peritoneal Fluid of Women With Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Cobellis L, Luigi Cobellis, Fernando M Reis, Stefano Luisi, S Danero, Secondo Danero, Danero S, Luigi Pirtoli, Pirtoli L, Scambia G, Giovanni Scambia, Felice Petraglia
Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation · 2004 · vol. 11(4) , pp. 203–206 · doi:10.1016/j.jsgi.2003.10.008 · PMID:15120692 · W2082552182
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This study investigated activin A concentrations in peritoneal fluid from women with epithelial ovarian cancer, finding high levels present.

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Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the concentrations of activin A in the peritoneal fluid of women with epithelial (serous) ovarian cancer.MethodsA group of 160 women was studied and divided in four subgroups as follows: 1) serous ovarian carcinoma (n = 32); 2) serous ovarian cystadenoma (n = 20); 3) endometriosis (n = 53); and 4) healthy controls (n = 55), including both fertile (n = 32) and postmenopausal women (n = 23). Specimens of peritoneal fluid were collected during surgical interventions, and activin A was quantified using a specific two-site enzyme immunoassay.ResultsPeritoneal fluid activin A concentrations in women with ovarian carcinoma were about five-fold higher than those found in the control group (median [interquartile range] = 7.60 [2.85-10.15] and 1.50 [1.00-2.50] ng/mL, respectively, P <.001). In contrast, the women with benign serous cystadenoma had peritoneal fluid activin A concentrations (1.50 [1.0-2.70] ng/mL) similar to those of the control group. High peritoneal fluid activin A levels (>2 multiples of the mean) distinguished carcinoma from cystadenoma with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 80%. The follow-up of nine patients with stage IIIc ovarian cancer showed no apparent relationship between the peritoneal fluid activin A levels and overall survival. No significant difference in peritoneal fluid activin A concentrations between patients with endometriosis and control women was observed.ConclusionMost women with serous ovarian carcinoma had high concentrations of activin A in the peritoneal fluid, supporting a possible role of this growth factor in ovarian cancer.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Activins Ascitic Fluid Inhibin-beta Subunits Ovarian Neoplasms Activins Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Ascitic Fluid Cystadenocarcinoma Cystadenocarcinoma Cystadenoma, Serous Cystadenoma, Serous Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Inhibin-beta Subunits Middle Aged Ovarian Neoplasms

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