CA125: An Increasingly Promising Biomarker of Heart Failure

Abstract

: CA125 is a well-known tumor marker for diagnosis, monitoring, and risk stratification in ovarian cancer. It is not specific for malignant tumors and may be elevated in benign disease. In the past two decades, increasing evidence has emerged suggesting that the plasma level of CA125 can serve as a novel surrogate of heart failure (HF). CA125 in patients with HF is synthesized by epithelial serous cells in response to both mechanical and inflammatory stimuli. In patients with HF, regardless of etiology, CA125 levels correlate with the severity of clinical, hemodynamic, and echocardiographic parameters and with other biomarkers. Elevated CA125 can identify patients at high risk of rehospitalization and mortality, whether short- or long-term. Serial measurements and combination with different pathophysiology biomarkers can provide more accurate prognosis value. It also can guide treatment due to as a robust biomarker of fluid overload and inflammation, particularly for diuretic dose optimization. These properties make it a very promising candidate for risk stratification and treatment guidance of HF.

An arteriovenous fistula in the right kidney as a cause of right ventricular heart failure

“…Endovascular closure of the arteriovenous fistula resolved the heart failure in this patient [3,4]. Moreover, ovarian cancer serum markers, such as CA-125, can be elevated in the course of heart failure, which should be taken into account when considering a patient's qualification for surgery [5].…”

Incidence and Risk Factors for Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Endometrial Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…CA125 was identi ed as a biomarker leading to VTE in the present study. Not only it is a tumor marker but also an in ammatory marker, which could also re ect the in ammatory response [32]. As such, patients with higher levels CA125 are associated with more advanced cancers, which could explain the reason why advanced cancer correlated with postoperative VTE.…”

Bidirectional Relationship Between Cancer and Heart Failure: Insights on Circulating Biomarkers

“…The pathophysiological mechanism causing the simultaneous rise of CA125 and the development of cardiovascular disease is still unknown: according to some studies, an increase in the tumor marker is linked to the inflammatory process that underpins cardiovascular disease, which is exacerbated by a change in the hydrostatic balance, resulting in the development of HF ( 90 ).…”