Lever
Lifestyle
- Regular medical check-ups
- Monitoring for symptoms of ovarian cancer
- Stress management
Blutwerte · Marker
CA-125
Cancer Antigen 125 · CA125
Tumormarker & Screening
- Einheit:
- U/mL
CA-125 measures the level of a glycoprotein antigen associated with ovarian cancer cells in the blood.
Reference Ranges
Reference
0–35U/mL
0
35
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Unit · U/mLReference ranges can vary slightly by laboratory; elevated levels may occur in benign conditions.
Overview
Übersicht
Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125) is a protein that is often elevated in the blood of women with ovarian cancer. It is a glycoprotein found on the surface of many ovarian cancer cells and is released into the bloodstream. Clinically, CA-125 is primarily used as a tumor marker to monitor treatment response and disease progression in ovarian cancer patients. It is not sufficiently specific or sensitive for early detection of ovarian cancer, as elevated levels can also occur in other conditions such as endometriosis, menstruation, and pregnancy. Its role in biohacking or athletic performance is limited, as it is not directly related to physical performance or longevity. However, understanding CA-125 levels can be important for individuals with a family history of ovarian cancer or those undergoing regular health screenings. Researchers have observed that CA-125 levels can be influenced by various factors, including menstrual cycle, benign gynecological conditions, and other malignancies. Therefore, it is crucial to interpret CA-125 levels in conjunction with other diagnostic tools and clinical evaluations. Time of day and fasting do not significantly affect CA-125 levels, but it is important to consider potential confounders such as recent surgeries or infections that may elevate CA-125 levels temporarily.
Klinische Bedeutung
Elevated CA-125 levels are often associated with ovarian cancer, but can also indicate other conditions such as endometriosis or liver disease. Low levels are generally not clinically significant.
Dynamics
Trend Interpretation
Rising Values
Progressively rising CA-125 values may suggest worsening ovarian cancer or recurrence. Re-test in 4-6 weeks if elevated.
Falling Values
Falling values generally indicate a positive response to treatment.
Re-test Interval
4-6 weeks if outside optimal range
Etiology
Causes — High & Low
Cause
Elevated Levels
- Ovarian cancer
- Endometriosis
- Menstruation
- Pregnancy
- Liver disease
Cause
Low Levels
- Not clinically significant
- Normal variation
- Successful cancer treatment
- Non-cancerous conditions resolved
Protocol
How to Optimize
Lever
Nutrition
- Balanced diet
- Adequate hydration
Note:
Consult healthcare provider for personalized advice, especially if at risk for ovarian cancer.
Testing Guidelines
✓Fasting Not Required
✓Not Time-Sensitive
Testing Frequency
Every 6-12 months for those at risk of ovarian cancer
Interfering Factors
- Recent surgery
- Infections
- Menstruation
Related Peptides & Hormones
Brca1
hormone or peptideCorrelated with
Open Research Questions
Current research suggests that the biological role of CA-125 in ovarian cancer oncogenesis remains poorly understood, and its reliability for early-stage diagnosis is debated due to low specificity. Researchers have not yet established optimal reference ranges or effective CA-125-targeted treatment strategies. Additionally, unanswered clinical questions include the integration of CA-125 with novel biomarkers for improved early detection and the precise role of CA-125 in monitoring treatment responses in various ovarian cancer subtypes.
22 Research Publications
1,340
Total Citations
8
Human/RCT
4.2
Avg. Influence
2025
Latest
Sort
Filter
01Top
#01
Roles of CA125 in diagnosis, prediction, and oncogenesis of ovarian cancer.
ReviewInfluence6.0
329
Researchers found that CA125, while widely used in ovarian cancer screening, is not reliable for early-stage diagnosis but serves as a valuable indicator for evaluating treatment efficacy and prognosis. They noted that CA125 may also play a role in the development of ovarian cancer, prompting interest in targeted treatment strategies.
02Top
#02
Clinical Use of Cancer Biomarkers in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Updated Guidelines From the European Group on Tumor Markers.
ReviewInfluence7.0
232
Researchers updated guidelines on the clinical use of CA-125 in epithelial ovarian cancer, noting its low sensitivity and specificity for screening. They recommended CA-125 for monitoring treatment response but cautioned against its use as a standalone diagnostic tool.
03Top
#03
Molecular Biomarkers for the Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer.
ReviewInfluence8.0
219
This study examined the limitations of CA125 as a biomarker for early detection of ovarian cancer, highlighting its low specificity. Researchers discussed the development of multimarker panels and novel biomarkers to improve diagnostic efficacy and provide earlier detection methods.
04
#04
Diagnosis of endometriosis.
ReviewInfluence2.0
106
Researchers found that serum CA-125 is the best marker for diagnosing endometriosis, but it is only elevated in advanced stages, making it unsuitable for routine screening. They emphasized the need for a combination of clinical evaluation and imaging techniques for accurate diagnosis.
05
#05
Cervical Cancer Markers: Epigenetics and microRNAs.
ReviewInfluence4.0
100
Researchers reviewed the use of tumor markers, including CA-125, in diagnosing cervical cancer. They noted the need for new molecular markers with higher sensitivity and specificity to improve diagnosis and understanding of cervical cancer pathogenesis.
06
#06
CA-125 ELIMination Rate Constant K (KELIM) Is a Marker of Chemosensitivity in Patients with Ovarian Cancer: Results from the Phase II CHIVA Trial.
HumanInfluence6.0
96
In a clinical trial, researchers observed that the CA-125 elimination rate constant (KELIM) is a significant predictor of tumor chemosensitivity and patient prognosis in ovarian cancer. The study emphasized the importance of KELIM in decision-making for treatment strategies.
07
#07
BRCA genes: BRCA 1 and BRCA 2.
ReviewInfluence2.0
72
Researchers found that women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are at increased risk for early onset of breast and ovarian cancer. They highlighted the importance of monitoring CA-125 levels alongside imaging techniques for effective surveillance.
08
#08
Ovarian cancer molecular pathology.
Review
61
This study reviewed the challenges in early detection of ovarian cancer, noting that CA-125 is commonly used but inadequate alone due to low sensitivity in early stages. Researchers called for the identification of additional biomarkers to improve diagnosis.
09
#09
New biomarkers in endometriosis.
Coutinho Larissa M, et al. · Advances in clinical chemistry · 2019
ReviewInfluence2.0
54
This study highlighted that while CA-125 is the most studied biomarker for endometriosis, its diagnostic performance is poor. Researchers noted the ongoing search for more effective biomarkers and the potential of novel molecular biology approaches.
Key findings
- 01Most potential biomarkers for endometriosis have been discarded during research.
- 02CA-125 is the most studied biomarker but has poor diagnostic performance.
- 03New approaches in molecular biology may help identify effective biomarkers in the future.
10
#10
CA-125 in Disease Progression and Treatment of Lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
Human
27
This study explored CA-125 levels in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Researchers found that elevated CA-125 levels correlated with disease severity and decreased following sirolimus treatment, suggesting a potential link between CA-125 and LAM pathology.
Publication Trend
Research publications about CA-125 over time
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