INHIBIN AS A MARKER FOR HYDATIDIFORM MOLE - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY WITH THE DETERMINATIONS OF INTACT HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN AND ITS FREEBETA-SUBUNIT

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to evaluate plasma inhibin as a marker of hydatidiform mole and to compare the results with intact hu man chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and its free beta-subunit. DESIGN Se rial determinations of the plasma concentrations of inhibin, intact hu man chorionic gonadotrophin and its free beta-subunit in cases of hyda tidiform mole over an average period of 140 days. PATIENTS Five cases of hydatidiform mole, including patients with spontaneous remission af ter evacuation or persistent trophoblastic disease. MEASUREMENTS Immun oreactive inhibin, hCG and free hCG beta-subunit were measured using s tandard enzyme immunoassays. RESULTS Inhibin and free hCG beta-subunit levels were greater than in normal pregnant women at the same gestati onal age. Only intact hCG could detect the persistence of trophoblasti c tissue. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that inhibin, intact human chor ionic gonadotrophin and free beta-subunit might be useful as diagnosti c markers of molar pregnancies. However, the original method of intact hCG determination is still superior for follow-up.