Human kallikrein 10: a novel tumor marker for ovarian carcinoma?

Background: Human kallikrein 10 (hK10, encoded by KLK10 gene) is a recently discovered member of the human kallikrein family. hK10 is a secreted serin e protease. With the development of a highly sensitive and specific immunoa ssay for hK10, quantification of hK10 in the circulation is now feasible. O ur aim was to investigate whether hK10 concentration in serum changes in va rious malignancies. Methods: We used a highly specific and sensitive immunofluorometric assay t o quantify hK10 protein in 374 serum samples from healthy individuals and p atients with various malignancies. Results: Serum hK10 concentration was found to be significantly elevated in 56% of the ovarian cancer patients and such an increase was not observed i n serum of healthy individuals or in serum of patients with other types of cancer, with the exception of similar to 15% of patients with gastrointesti nal cancer. This hK10 elevation does not correlate well with CA 125. We hav e further demonstrated that hK10 concentration changes during ovarian cance r progression. Conclusion: This is the first report describing that hK10 serum concentrati on is significantly elevated in the majority of ovarian cancer patients. Ou r results indicate that hK10 may be a potential new serological marker for ovarian cancer diagnosis and monitoring. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.