Correlation of MDR 1 Expression and CA 125 in Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Background: The serum CA 125 marker is elevated in 80% of patients with ovarian adenocarcinoma. MDR 1 gene expression has been identified in a variety of tumor types and its expression has been correlated with multidrug resistance. Whether there is a correlation between CA 125 levels and MDR 1 expression has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether an association between serum CA 125 levels and MDR 1 expression exists. Patients and Methods: Serum CA 125 levels were measured during the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Fresh tumor specimens or ascitic fluid samples were studied for MDR 1 expression by the polymerase chain reaction method (PCR). Results: Forty patients with ovarian cancer were studied, 34 (85%) of whom had elevated CA 125. Twenty-eight out of the 40 patients were tested for MDR 1 expression; 20 expressed the gene and 8 did not. The median level of CA 125 in specimens expressing the MDR1 gene was 327, and in specimens that did not it was 376. There was no correlation between the CA 125 levels and MDR 1 expression (p=0.484). Conclusion: There does not seem to be an association between CA 125 levels and expression of the MDR1 gene in patients with ovarian cancer.