Lever
Lifestyle
- Regular medical check-ups
- Monitoring for symptoms of ovarian cancer
Blutwerte · Marker
CA-125
Cancer Antigen 125 · CA125
Tumormarker & Screening
- Einheit:
- U/mL
CA-125 quantifies the level of cancer antigen 125, a glycoprotein associated with ovarian cancer cells, in the blood.
Reference Ranges
Reference
0–35U/mL
0
35
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Unit · U/mLLevels can vary with menstrual cycle and are generally higher in females.
Overview
Übersicht
Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125) is a protein that is often elevated in the blood of patients with certain types of cancer, most notably ovarian cancer. It is a glycoprotein found on the surface of many ovarian cancer cells and is released into the bloodstream. Researchers have found that CA-125 is the most widely used biomarker for ovarian cancer detection, although its specificity is limited. Clinically, CA-125 is important for monitoring the treatment response and progression of ovarian cancer. It is also used in conjunction with other tests, such as the risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) and the risk of malignancy index (RMI), to improve diagnostic accuracy. In addition to ovarian cancer, elevated CA-125 levels can be seen in other conditions, including endometriosis and liver disease. For athletes and biohackers, CA-125 does not have a direct relevance to performance or longevity. However, understanding this marker can be important for individuals with a family history of ovarian cancer or those undergoing regular health screenings. Researchers observed that CA-125 levels can be influenced by factors such as menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and benign conditions, which can confound results. Therefore, it is crucial to interpret CA-125 levels in the context of clinical findings and other diagnostic tests.
Klinische Bedeutung
Elevated CA-125 levels are primarily associated with ovarian cancer but can also indicate other conditions such as endometriosis and liver disease. Low levels are generally not clinically significant.
Dynamics
Trend Interpretation
Rising Values
Progressively rising CA-125 levels may suggest cancer progression or recurrence. Re-test every 3 months if elevated.
Falling Values
Falling levels typically indicate a positive response to treatment.
Re-test Interval
3 months if outside optimal range
Etiology
Causes — High & Low
Cause
Elevated Levels
- Ovarian cancer
- Endometriosis
- Liver disease
- Pregnancy
- Menstruation
Cause
Low Levels
- Not clinically significant
- Normal variation
- Successful cancer treatment
- Post-menopausal state
Protocol
How to Optimize
Lever
Nutrition
- Balanced diet
- Avoiding alcohol for liver health
Note:
Consult a 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 individuals at risk of ovarian cancer
Interfering Factors
- Menstrual cycle
- Pregnancy
- Benign gynecological conditions
Related Peptides & Hormones
Brca1
hormone or peptideCorrelated with
Open Research Questions
Current research suggests that the biological role of CA-125 in tumorigenesis and its reliability for early-stage ovarian cancer diagnosis remain debated, particularly regarding reference ranges and confounding factors like endometriosis. Emerging research directions include the development of multimarker panels and novel biomarkers for improved detection. However, researchers have not yet established optimal targets for CA-125 in predicting treatment response or the specific mechanisms by which it influences ovarian cancer progression.
24 Research Publications
1,419
Total Citations
8
Human/RCT
4.3
Avg. Influence
2025
Latest
Sort
Filter
01Top
#01
Roles of CA125 in diagnosis, prediction, and oncogenesis of ovarian cancer.
ReviewInfluence6.0
336
This study investigated the roles of CA-125 in ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment. Researchers observed that while CA-125 is valuable for evaluating treatment efficacy, it is not reliable for early-stage diagnosis and may play a role in tumorigenesis.
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
231
This study examined the use of CA-125 as a biomarker for ovarian cancer detection. Researchers found that while CA-125 is the most widely used biomarker, its specificity is low, leading to the development of multimarker panels and algorithms to improve diagnostic efficacy.
04
#04
Diagnosis of endometriosis.
ReviewInfluence2.0
105
This study focused on the challenges of diagnosing endometriosis. Researchers found that while serum CA-125 is the best marker available, it is often elevated only in advanced stages, making it unsuitable for routine screening.
05
#05
CA-125 ELIMination Rate Constant K (KELIM) Is a Marker of Chemosensitivity in Patients with Ovarian Cancer: Results from the Phase II CHIVA Trial.
HumanInfluence7.0
103
This study assessed the CA-125 elimination rate constant (KELIM) as a marker of chemosensitivity in ovarian cancer patients. Researchers found that KELIM is a significant predictor of treatment success and patient prognosis during neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
06
#06
Cervical Cancer Markers: Epigenetics and microRNAs.
ReviewInfluence4.0
100
Researchers examined the role of various tumor markers, including CA-125, in cervical cancer. The study noted the necessity for new molecular markers with higher sensitivity and specificity to improve diagnosis and disease progression prediction.
07
#07
BRCA genes: BRCA 1 and BRCA 2.
ReviewInfluence2.0
73
This study explored the role of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in breast and ovarian cancer. Researchers found that individuals with mutations in these genes have an increased risk of early-onset cancer and that serum CA-125 levels are monitored for ovarian cancer surveillance.
08
#08
Ovarian cancer molecular pathology.
Review
62
This study examined the molecular pathology of ovarian cancer. Researchers found that CA-125 is commonly used but has limited sensitivity in early-stage cancer, highlighting the need for additional biomarkers for better diagnosis.
09
#09
New biomarkers in endometriosis.
Coutinho Larissa M, et al. · Advances in clinical chemistry · 2019
ReviewInfluence2.0
54
This study reviewed potential biomarkers for endometriosis. Researchers found that while CA-125 is the most studied, its diagnostic performance is poor, and no single biomarker has been successfully translated into clinical practice.
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
The Potential Role of MUC16 (CA125) Biomarker in Lung Cancer: A Magic Biomarker but with Adversity.
Review
47
This study explored the potential role of CA-125 in lung cancer. Researchers observed that while CA-125 can aid in diagnosis, its reliability is limited due to variability in expression among different cancer types.
Publication Trend
Research publications about CA-125 over time
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