Serum MAGE-4 protein in ovarian cancer patients

Objective. We measured serum levels of MAGE-4 protein in patients with ovar ian cancer to investigate the relationship between serum MAGE-4 positivity and prognosis. Methods. Serum levels of MAGE-4 protein were measured with an ELISA system. Results. Serum levels of MAGE-4 in patients with ovarian cancer were signif icanty higher than levels in patients with benign diseases. Serum MAGE-4 pr otein was considered positive in 22% of primary ovarian cancer patients. Th e positive rate was the highest in sera of patients with surface epithelial -stromal tumors, particularly serous adenocarcinomas (24%). The survival ti me after a primary surgical operation in ovarian cancer patients with serum MAGE-4 positivity was significantly shorter than that of MAGE-4-negative c ases. Conclusion. These results suggest that serum MAGE-4 protein is a potential prognostic factor of reduced survival in ovarian cancer patients. (C) 2000 Academic Press.