ELEVATED SERUM ICTP CONCENTRATIONS REFLECT POOR-PROGNOSIS IN PATIENTSWITH OVARIAN-CARCINOMA

The effect of ovarian carcinoma on the circulating concentration of th e cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) w as studied in 17 patients before and during treatment. ICTP is a compl ex peptide released from type I collagen, which is the main organic co mponent of bone matrix but also induced in ovarian carcinoma tissue an d the peritoneal cavity by the tumour. CA 125 and the aminoterminal pr opeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) were also measured. The preo perative CA 125, PIIINP and ICTP concentrations were pathological in 1 6 (94%), nine (53%) and seven (41%) patients, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the PIIINP and ICTP levels in serum. Af ter surgery and one course of cytotoxic chemotherapy, the median CA 12 5 concentration decreased whereas those of PIIINP and ICTP increased. During monitoring of the treatment response, patients with regressive disease showed lower CA 125 concentrations than those with stable or p rogressive disease. For PIIINP and ICTP there was no clear difference between these response categories, but altogether, simultaneously incr easing serum CA 125, PIIINP and ICTP concentrations were consistently associated with poor prognosis.